Trip to China Water Towns

  I was impressed by the memory of exploring the most 4 famous China enchanting water towns within 1 week in the winter of 2006. The thousands of years’ history, the distinctive folk cultures and customs have formed the unique charm of the water towns in Jiangnan Area(the regions south of the downstream Yangtze River.In the winter of 2006, Three of us, Catherine, Ariel and me choose to visit China water towns for our coming inspection trip. As we are travel advisor, at the time planning our touring route, we just decided to get a whole view for these famous water towns. Due to the very limited time, we have to rush on the train station, bus station, restaurants, street.....Anyhow, we left our foot spoor there that winter! Rivers, ancient bridges, old streets and old houses are the collective characteristics for these four water towns, but different feelings after this trip.

  The first water town we arrived is Tongli which is called as "Oriental Venice", has a tranquil environment. We took local bus with 19 seats from Suzhou to Tongli, 35 min by driving. We stayed 1 night at a local guest house, clean but very simple. At the time we check in, only landlady there, so we had to carry our heavy and huge suitcase to the upstairs.After simple fresh up, we just go to find the interesting thing in this town. The Pearl Tower we stayed for a long time and took lots of photos due to its distinct “JIangnan’” smell.

the biggest bridge of Tongli

a corner of Pearl Tower

drama stage in Pearl Tower

Another garden--Tuisi garden in Tongli

  The second stop is Zhouzhaung, has samller area than Tongli, and 25 min by loca bus from Tongli to Zhouzhuang. In my memory now, it is an environment of hustle and bustle. Amoung the four water towns, it has been a tourist attraction for the longest period of time.The bad thing we met in Zhouzhuang was the house we stay, three very shaky beds, dark and dirty bathroom....although Zhouzhuang is the most famous among these 4 water towns, but it is the one we are most disappointed.

 

the whole view of Zhouzhuang

 

 

bridge of Zhouzhuang

 

 

  The third water town is my favorite--XItang water town which is 2.5 hours by driving from Hangzhou city .It is definitely a dreamy, picturesque water town.Many shutterbug from difference places took the pictures in drizzle.Smelly Tofu, doggy, delivous food, clean air.....all of these make three of us talk and remember frequently after back to home.

 

the whole view of Xitang

 

doggy

 

stinky Toufu(bean curd)

 

the most delicious food we ate in these four water towns

 

People living aside the water

 

 

Catherine and Me

 

 

  Well, the water town we finally visited was Wuzhen which gave us the impression of entering a dark town, for the houses and archways are usually black. Wuzhen is divided into two districts: Dongzha (East) and Xizha (West). Xizha is manmade so very few tourists there when we entered it. For visitng the Dongza, we are lucky that a craft brother in Wuzhen showed us sightseeing there.

 

90& buildings in Xizha are manmade

 

 

 

 

battik at Dongza