Jiangnan refers to the southern part of the lowest reaches of the Yangtze River and encompasses the Shanghai municipality, the southern part of Jiangsu Province and the northern part of Zhejiang Province. This fertile Yangtze Delta is a treasure chest of unique ancient cultural relics and historical heritage. Abundant lakes, canals and ponds of the region create notable landscapes and shape distinctive townscapes.
Any time of the year seems suitable and the main difference is going to be in the quality of ambient light. In late autumn, winter and spring the sun is not so harsh during the day and one can photograph all day long. In the summer, the contrast is too high in the hours around midday and one has no choice but to photograph early in the morning and in late afternoon as described above.
Jiang Nan Water Towns is said to be Venice in China!
1. Wuzhen
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Brief Introduction
Wuzhen,located in the north of Zhejiang Province, is embraced by the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal with rivers and canals crisscrossing the whole town. This small town, with its black tiled and timber framework houses, contrasts sharply with its white walls and gray flagging, bringing to mind a Chinese ink and wash painting.
The morning of Wuzhen starts with women washing clothes by the clear river and black wooden windows propped up. The river running through the town was once the main means of transportation for local people.
Since the South Dynasty when the prince of Liang kingdom-Zhao Ming once studied here, such literary master as Mao Dun had left many cultural relics here. If boating around the water network, or lingering in the lanes one can always feel the serenity, peacefulness, and subtle beauty of the Jiang Nan water town. |
Tourist Highlights
· Ancient Stage:
The stage is built in 1749. It is sitting back on a major river of the town and facing a plaza. In the ancient time, farmers around the town came to watch plays by rowing boat. While a play was going on, boats were floating on the river.
· Local Housing:
An architectural complex that is a legacy of Qing Dynasty reflects local architectural style and humanity.
· Former Residence of Mao Dun:
Mao Dun is a famous literature Writer in modern China, with novel of 'Midnight', etc. literary works. His former home is located in the middle part of Guan Qian Street of the town, where he had his happy childhood. The home is a traditional Chinese style house built in Qing Dynasty.
· Xiu Zhen Guan:
Xiu Zhen Guan is a Taoist temple which is built in Xian Ping Yuan period of Bei Song Dynasty. It is one of three famous Taoist temples in South Bank in Yangtze River.
Local Specialties
Wuzhen is a good place to well treat your mouth. Big restaurants and small street stalls offer a great variety of local flavors. In some old restaurants such as the Jiujiang lou and Shanyang Guan Restaurants visitors can try the famous local food Steamed Pork Slices with Glutinous Rice Flour Wrapped in Lotus. Travelers can also choose to dine at one of the local's home, provided you know some Chinese. Food is simple but dining at a casual Chinese family's home may provide a quite different experience.
2. Zhouzhuang
Brief Introduction
Zhouzhuang, the first water region in china, has been listed as one of world culture relics by the United Nations. Shanghai is 20 kilometer at the East of Zhouzhuang and Suzhou is 30 kilometers on the west, are locates at the interface of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai province. The Zhouzhuang is an old town with a history of more than one thousand year. With water running around Zhouzhuang on its four sides, people lives in buildings constructed along the water. Many famous scholars lives abroad the Zhouzhuang, such as shengwansan a millionaire in the end of the Yuan Dynasty and beginning of the Ming Dynasty form the south of the Changjiang River, Zhanghan a literati form the Western Jin Dynasty, Liuyuxi, Chengguimeng, Liuyazi, Chengqubing, Sanmao, Wuguanzhong are all poet form Tang Dynasty, Luozhiwen an architect, Chinese artist Chengyifei and so on, they are in favor of the liquor culture in Zhouzhuang and often get together here to drink and compose poems. Most of the families in Zhouzhuang make wine by themselves, the most famous of which is the alcohol made by the old distillery in Zhouzhuang, the old distillery in Zhouzhuang has a history of hundreds of years.
Chairman Jiangzemin has inspected Zhouzhuang for many times, The world APCE conference also moved to hold in the ship at Zhouzhuang steamship from Shanghai, various countries' president, leaders, and their wives also say “ok” after visiting the historical site, appreciating the beautiful scenery of flowing stream and bridge, and tasting the liquor produced by Zhouzhuang old distillery.
Tourist Highlights
Zhouzhuang is maily famous for the small water lanes and the riverside ancient buildings. Highlights in Zhouzhuang includes Waterlanes & Stone bridges, the Twin Bridge,Fu’an Bridge,Shen’s House, Zhang’s Houseand so on.
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Local Specialties
· Wansan brand wine and liquor:
Wine – making industry in Zhouzhuang is very flourishing as the paddy area around teems with rice. Wansan brand liquor or spirit is the best of the wines.
· Wansan Pig’s Upper Leg:
It is famous dish promoted as the No.1 course among all the dishes in Zhouzhuang. The pork of leg is chosen from among the best as the material and stewed in brown source over slow fire. The cooked pork is very tender and easily boned. Though, it looks fat, yet not greasy. It suits to the taste of all different people.
· Xiangjiang(white clam river) Aquatic products:
Aquatic products in Zhouzhuang are available all the year round and the bests of them are perches, white clams and fresh – water white baits, which have long been known as the three treasures of Xiangjiang. In addition, the water area is teemed with eels, soft – shell turtles and shrimps and so and so forth.
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3.Tongli
Brief Introduction
Tongli is an aged town located a short drive from Suzhou, which is about a 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.
15 small river lanes crisscrossed the town, over which spans around 49 stone bridges in variety of styles. Bridges are important parts of the town. The most famous bridges among the 49 bridges in Tongli are the three bridges called Taiping (peace), Jili (luck) and Changqing (celebration) bridges, which has been important landmarks of the place and regarded as the sacred architecture by the locals. Whenever there is an important occasion, such as wedding, people would like to walk through the three bridges, which is supposed to bring peace, fortune and happiness in their lives.
Buildings well preserved from the Ming and Qing Dynasties standing by the rivers fill the town. The traditional gardens are well worth seeing. The Tuisi Garden makes a good example. The garden was constructed between 1885 and 1887 by an imperial official. In the garden, pavilions, terraces, halls, rockeries, ponds and other elements of the garden were harmoniously integrated together.
Tourist Highlights:
· Tuisi Garden:
Tuisi Garden was built in the Qing Dynasty by a degraded official. In the garden, pavilions, terraces, halls, rockeries, ponds and other elements of the garden were harmoniously integrated together.
· Three Bridges:
On the netted rivers spans around 49m bridges in variety of styles. The most famous ones are the Three Bridges, Taiping(Peaceful) Bridge, Jili Bridge(Auspiciousness Bridge) and Changqing Bridge. The three elegantly chiseled bridges standing in the center of the ancient town look like three fine stone artworks sheltered by lush vegetations.
Local Specialties:
Never miss the chance to taste fresh aquatic plants and fish. Most of the food is sweet. Famous snacks include smoked fish, dried bean curd, cakes made of glutinous rice and spring rolls (fried stuffed rolls).
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