Travel to water towns Ⅰ: Zhouzhuang

By 2011-6-22 9:56:51

Zhouzhuang

Zhouzhuang, China's most stunning water town, where ancient buildings flank rivers crisscrossed by stone bridges. To appreciate it, sit in a teahouse and let the afternoon slip away while you talk to friends and sample the snacks which come with your tea. Take the time to learn how to select, make and appreciate tea, understand why it is a cultural activity. As the small wooden boats pass by, you will have a glimpse into a way of life which has changed little in 1,000 years. It will give you new insights into the beautiful houses of Kunshan's famous families, their formal reception halls,endless courtyards, secret escape routes and hidden gardens, where Chinese noble families practiced tea culture as a way of life.

Zhouzhuang is located in Kunshan, it is less than an hour's bus or car ride from the centers of Kunshan, Shanghai and Suzhou. Temperatures range from -5ºC in January, the coldest month, to a high of 36ºC in July. Since the city wears the time of day and the seasons like a sequence of beautiful robes, every time you go will be memorable.

Although many people go for a day trip, the best way is to spend a day or two, come in the late afternoon, walk the town and have a leisurely dinner. Spend the night in a restored mansion or local house, or in one of the more conventional nearby hotels. If you rise early you can experience the city as the sun rises and its empty streets become a post card of the past. You need to experience Zhouzhuang, connect with the local pace of life and experience its cultural wonders, not just admire its beauty. Wander along the rivers, either by foot or gondola, and you will be engulfed by its ancient Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, carefully preserved by the local government. Watch Kunqu Opera in the same style Chinese nobles enjoyed, visit the local teahouse and restaurants, taste the local specialties and shop the local bamboo and bronze handicrafts. Zhouzhuang is a real town, not an ersatz Disneyland, but it has a new role as a cultural ambassador of China's past, a role which protects China's priceless heritage and provides new economic opportunities for its residents.

From China.org.cn