subject: Shanghai Water Towns [print this page] Shanghai Water Towns Shanghai Water Towns
Around shanghai, there are several beautiful cities and towns which are well worth a trip. Unlike shanghai, which is well-known for its bustling streets and impressive skyline, most of these cities and towns offer a tranquil and beautiful atmosphere.
1. Hangzhou
A famous Chinese saying goes "above there is heaven, on earth there is Hangzhou". Renowned as a popular tourist destination in china, Hangzhou is a bustling resort with many historical heritage sites as well as impressive natural beauty. The west lake, with its extraordinary scenery and temples of historical, cultural and aesthetic value justify the city's legendary status as "paradise on the earth". Other sights here are Lingyin Temple, Six Harmonies Pagoda and the Peak Flew from afar.
2. Suzhou
Renowned as "Venice of the east" and "heaven on earth", Suzhou is famous for its unique, elegant gardens, its network of rivers and canals, and its silk production. The city is very attractive, with a lot to offer visitors, including ancient, beautifully architected gardens, temples, stone bridges, silk factory, and traditional Chinese lifestyle and so on.
3. Tongli
Tongli is an aged town located a short drive from Suzhou, which is about an hour drive outside of Shanghai. Tongli is over 1000 years old and has only recently been changed into a tourist attraction. The town is characterized by stone bridges and well preserved ancient architecture including private gardens, temples and houses.
4. Wuzhen
Wuzhen, located in the north of Zhejiang province, is embraced by the Beijing Hangzhou Grand Canal with rivers and canals crisscrossing the whole town. For hundreds of years, its residents have been building houses along the rivers and trading near the bridges. The ancient docks, waterside pavilions, and corridors stretch out for miles and erect a romantic atmosphere that is typical to Jiangnan water towns. Wuzhen boasts its prosperous past and simple lifestyle.
5. Zhouzhuang
Zhouzhuang lies at the middle between shanghai and Suzhou, is an ancient town of Kunshan city, Jiangsu province, where abounds with rivers and lakes. So it is thought by many to be the best waterside town in China. This ancient town has a history of more than 900 years old with many houses built in the Ming and Qing dynasties. There are about 100 houses with courtyards, and 60 of them have arch gateways made by carved bricks.
6. Xitang
in the north of Jiashan County, Zhejiang province, Xitang is an ancient town with peaceful and beautiful environment. It features flat terrain, crisscrossed rivers, numerous, bridges, lanes and ceilinged corridors. Ceilinged corridors are the most special scene in Xitang construction. These corridors were originally built to make convenience for the residents trading on boats by the side of the rivers.
