Travel to water towns Ⅱ: Qiandeng Town

Qiandeng Town

Qiandeng Town is another water town which was developed a little later than Zhouzhuang. It is the hometown of famous philosopher Gu Yanwu and earliest Kunqu Opera composer Gu Jian. Its ancient stone buildings, temples, museums, and courtyard houses also provide a glimpse into China's past. With so many years of history each town has its legends and stories. Qiandeng picturesque gates and central bell tower testifies to its past importance and its role as a trading city.The commercial drive is still visible today as its bustling streets resonate with the sounds of vendors and customers engaged in the day-to-day supply and demand.

It is a place where the past and present of China meet. Old buildings and new vendors are juxtaposed against China's ancient culture and its modern direction. The two interviews I had, one with a hard-working family of vendors and another with a young tour guide, had one thing in common, a shared belief that under China's current direction, all you need is an idea, hard work and a little luck and the future will be bright; ironically the same values which at one time propelled the "American Dream". If the ability to create hope is one of the measures of a society's success then Kunshan, China is succeeding. It also indicates that China's national/ city model is a working system which should be studied more closely.