Small beautiful Southern China's Town around Shanghai
As a Chinese saying goes, Xian witnessed the 2,000 years' history of China; Beijing, 1,000 years' history of China; while Shanghai, the latest 100 year's China.' If you are interested in the modern history of China , Shanghai serves as an ideal miniature. Being regarded as the 'Oriental Pearl', Shanghai is unique and important in China and has much for you to explore. After you finish Shanghai's many attractions in the downtown, including Huangpu River, the Bund, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jinmao Tower, Shanghai Museum, Yuyuan Garden, Xin Tian Di, and the special old streets and lanes, there are still some worth-visiting places in the suburbs such as Qibao Ancient Town, Zhujajiao Water Town, and some other typical Chinese southern water town around Shanghai. Not so far, you could make it within one day from Shanghai , and comparing with Shanghai , you could obtain total different picture from there.
One day tour to Qibao Ancient Town
Located in the center of Minhang District of Shanghai, only 18 kilometers (11.18 miles) from the downtown area, Qibao Ancient Town can satisfy your curiosity about ancient water townships without the bother of either long distance or the rush of crowds.
As the only ancient town forming part of greater Shanghai, with a history spanning over one thousand years, Qibao is more than just a living fossil of ancient Chinese conurbation and urban planning. The town was built in Northern Song Dynasty (960-1126) and grew into a prosperous business center during Ming (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasties (1644-1911). Qibao is the Chinese for 'seven treasures' and there are two popular theories about its derivation. The more reliable one says that the name originates from the Qibao Temple , famed for its good reputation. It was this that contributed to the growth of business and culture of the previously unknown town. The other theory seems more popular among the local people who tell folk tales about seven treasures. These were an iron Buddha made in Ming Dynasty, a bronze bell also dating from the Ming Dynasty but said to have mysteriously appeared from nowhere, a Gold Script Lotus Sutra written by an imperial concubine of the 10th century, a one-thousand-year-old Chinese catalpa tree, a jade axe, a gold cockerel and a pair of jade chopsticks. Actually of these seven treasures, the existence of only first four can be verified while only the Scripture and the bell have survived to this day.
Later on during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the place was mainly known for its cloth, yarn, carpentry, wine and water far and near throughout a region that had two rivers of Huang'pu and the Wu'song flowing in it. The two brooks of Pu'hui and Heng'li meet at this town with three bridges striding over them. Over the waters, the oaring sound is always heard by people and on both banks of the riverlets are gracious pavilions, magnificent theaters, and prosperous stores standing below the dangling willow trees. The streets and avenues are in a crisscross formation and a shape of square town is still remained at the present day. Along the pavement are the famous stores such as the Cricket House, Mr. Zhang Chong-ren's Memorial, the Ancient Teahouse, the Old Wine Shop, the Textile Mill and the Tutoring Temple etc. The snack shops sell the famous foodstuffs such lamb meat, preserved pork, square rice cake and the glutinous rice dough etc. It is such a thriving and prosperous marketplace of the South China area that the sounds of bargaining are reverberating in the air not only in the day but also at the night. People visiting here can walk through the lane, look for distinguished scenery, hear the old stories, sip the fragrant tea and taste the delicious snacks. If the time could go back, they were able to find back the saga of Shanghai in the past.
One day tour to Zhujiajiao ( Shanghai 's Venice )
Located in a suburb of Shanghai city, Zhujiajiao is an ancient water town well-known throughout the country, with a history of more than 1700 years. Covering an area of 47 square kilometers, the little fan-shaped town glimmers like a bright pearl in the landscape of lakes and mountains.
Endowed with another elegant name - 'Pearl Stream' - the little town is the best-preserved among the four ancient towns in Shanghai . Unique old bridges across bubbling streams, small rivers shaded by willow trees, and houses with courtyards attached all transport people who have been living amidst the bustle and hustle of the modern big city to a brand-new world full of antiquity, leisure and tranquillity.
It is said that to visit Zhujiajaio without seeing the bridges means that you have not really been to Zhujiajiao at all! Bridges in the town are distinctive and old, built during Ming and Qing Dynasties. The old town is thoroughly connected by 36 delicate spans in different shapes and styles, from wooden to stone to marble.
In the town, there is an ancient street filled with representative ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, attracting great numbers of domestic and foreign tourists. That is North Street , which is the best preserved ancient street in this suburb of Shanghai . Only one kilometer long, the whole street is at once primitively simple, yet very elegant. Strolling on this ancient thoroughfare and appreciating the historic buildings, long-established stores, and old bridges as well as the many narrow lanes is another enjoyment.
 Zhujiajiao boasts imposing gardens as well as ancient dwellings built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Among the ancient architecture, Ke Zhi Yuan is the largest manorial garden in the town. The garden is commonly named 'Ma Family Garden' after a former host named Ma Wenqin. Located in Xijin Street in the northern part of town, Ke Zhi Yuan features beautiful sightseeing and quiet and secluded surroundings.
The scenic spots outlined here are just a sampling of the pretty attractions of Zhujiajiao. Old narrow lanes, peculiar stone hawsers on the riverside and old residences also make you enjoy yourself so much as to forget to go home.
One day tour to Zhouzhuang
Zhouzhuang, one of the most famous water townships in China , situated in Kunshan City which is only 30 kilometers (18 miles) southeast of Suzhou . It is noted for its profound cultural background, the well preserved ancient residential houses, the elegant watery views and the strong local colored traditions and customs. In the Spring and Autumn Period (770 - 476 BC), Zhouzhuang was a part of the fief Yaocheng and called Zhenfengli. After being donated to Full Fortune (Quanfu) Temple by Zhou Digong, a very devout Buddhist, in 1086 during the Northern Song Dynasty (960 - 1127), Zhouzhuang got its present name as a memorial of the donor.
In an area of half a square kilometer (124 acres), 60 percent of the Zhouzhuang's structures were built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, which is from 1368 to 1911. Taking the most convenient form of transport in Zhouzhuang, a gondola, we will present some of the breathtaking sights one by one.
In Zhouzhuang, there are 10 stone arch bridges picturesquely arranged. These old bridges appear all the more hoary with grotesque trees growing out of the arches and vines hanging down, and covered with dark green moss here and there. Viewed from the balustraded bridges, one can appreciate the life-style of the waterside dwellers as well as the scenery of farmhouses and fields. The upside-down reflections of the bridges in the clear rippling water present a fantastic scene of myriad bridges.
The revetments, ferry crossings, river ports and bridge passages are all marked with striking features of a water land. Zhouzhuang is filled with the elegance and charm typical of an ancient town in South China , and so fascinating with streets flanked by flat houses with a river at the back, the overhead building projections spanning a lane and the roads topped with flat and smooth slates as well as row upon row of small towers and pavilions.
One day tour to Tongli
Originally named Fushi, Tongli is an age-old but very well preserved water township with a history of more than 1,000 years. Located on the eastern shore of Taihu Lake , just 18 kilometers (11 miles) from Suzhou City , Tongli town is 63 square kilometers (24 square miles) in area and has a population of over 33 thousand. True to its reputation, Tongli is a really wonderful travel destination where you can spend a marvelous holiday or experience traditional Chinese culture. Follow our guide and you will have a general idea of this captivating water-town.
These are the vital links between the different parts of town. Forty-nine stone bridges in a variety of styles join the seven islands created by fifteen rivers and five lakes upon which Tongli stands. Each bridge has a name and these examples will give you an idea of the poetic nature of the inhabitants. Perhaps the most notable are Peace and Tranquility Bridge , Luck Bridge and Lasting Celebration Bridge . These are known as Ternate Bridges as they cross three rivers at their confluence and form a natural ring road. Standing motionless for hundreds of years, the bridges bear witness to the vicissitudes of history and remain an indispensable part of the township.
Tongli Town deserves its reputation of a 'museum of ancient architectures' as there are good many houses and temples dating from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Built along the riversides and decorated with flying eaves, carved windows, porcelain furniture, figured clay bricks, dapper gardens and small stairs leading down to the water, these complexes mean Tongli is a shining pearl among the water-towns south of Yangtze River .
Tongli is a town with a profound cultural background and achievement. From ancient times, it has been teeming with poets, painters, Confucian scholars and government officials. Their abilities have made great contributions to progress in many areas of the country. Dozens of stone tablets from different periods are preserved in Tongli and many of the streets are named after their official titles. Walking through the alleys of this venerable water town, one cannot fail to appreciate its pristine and intoxicating atmosphere.
After you read all of them, if you like to try it, please make contact with us and we will have a good arrangement for you. Our contact is (0086)10 84405388 by telephone, (0086)10 84405450 by fax, or travelservice@kirintravel.com by email.
|
