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The Venice of East Central China Lures the Visitors ~ Article by Habeeb Salloum |
A Woman's Directory For Travel and Life.
WAVE Journey is your one-stop online resource for women-oriented travel businesses and services
around the world.
WAVE Journey is for every woman to enjoy. If you love to travel, cook, read or revel in outdoor activities this website is
for you. If you are looking to connect with other like-minded women or if you are interested in finding businesses or
services that cater to women, WAVE Journey is your number one online resource.
WAVE Journey is your one-stop online resource for women-oriented travel businesses and services
around the world.
WAVE Journey is for every woman to enjoy. If you love to travel, cook, read or revel in outdoor activities this website is
for you. If you are looking to connect with other like-minded women or if you are interested in finding businesses or
services that cater to women, WAVE Journey is your number one online resource.
| Page 1 of 3 | Next Page |
Two hours after leaving the booming
metropolis of Shanghai, we parked at
the entrance of Wuzhen, fondly called by
some of its admirers the ’Venice of the
East.’ In a few moments, we had
climbed into a pole-steered large barge
that ploughed the waterways of Wuzhen
- the last of China’s ‘water towns’ to be
opened to visitors.
metropolis of Shanghai, we parked at
the entrance of Wuzhen, fondly called by
some of its admirers the ’Venice of the
East.’ In a few moments, we had
climbed into a pole-steered large barge
that ploughed the waterways of Wuzhen
- the last of China’s ‘water towns’ to be
opened to visitors.
The town reminded
me of Venice and
its canals - only on
a smaller scale. To
bring the
me of Venice and
its canals - only on
a smaller scale. To
bring the
comparison nearer to reality, the time that I sailed the gondolas of Venice was in
February and it was biting cold. I travelled to Wuzhen in April and it felt cold, but a
little less than Venice.
As we gently moved through the murky waters, shrouded by a heavy-foggy mist, the
homes edging the water seemed like ghostly figures coming out of the fog. Soon the
mist lifted and one could see creeks flowing into town, spanned by ancient sturdy
stone bridges of various design, all oozing with character. The creeks looked like
canals and some of these were - the largest being the Beijing-Hangzhou 1,800 km
(1,118 mi) Grand Canal, partially silted, that passes through town.
February and it was biting cold. I travelled to Wuzhen in April and it felt cold, but a
little less than Venice.
As we gently moved through the murky waters, shrouded by a heavy-foggy mist, the
homes edging the water seemed like ghostly figures coming out of the fog. Soon the
mist lifted and one could see creeks flowing into town, spanned by ancient sturdy
stone bridges of various design, all oozing with character. The creeks looked like
canals and some of these were - the largest being the Beijing-Hangzhou 1,800 km
(1,118 mi) Grand Canal, partially silted, that passes through town.
We left our barge at one of these bridges to explore the city by foot. Edging slab
stone-paved streets, which display thousands of years of history, we passed ancient
residential houses, pawnshops, pubs, restaurants, workshops, weaving and dyeing
establishments and stores selling the necessities of life - all housed in brownish
wooden structures, seemingly in need of paint, but all appearing neat and clean.
stone-paved streets, which display thousands of years of history, we passed ancient
residential houses, pawnshops, pubs, restaurants, workshops, weaving and dyeing
establishments and stores selling the necessities of life - all housed in brownish
wooden structures, seemingly in need of paint, but all appearing neat and clean.
Most of these ancient buildings are called by some writers, architectural symphonies of
stone, tile and wooden boats travelling to and fro and have been preserved rather than
being restored. They have been maintained in good condition through the years by the
loving care of Wuzhen’s inhabitants, making the town a great place to visit and enjoy by
exploring on foot.
A number of the grand homes of the affluent have been renovated into small boutique
restaurants and hotels, but have retained their character. They have become resting
places for those wishing to escape the hurried city life. In my colleague’s words,”It’s a
quiet town and these boutique abodes ensure one’s stay is restful.”
Over 80% of Wuzhen’s area has remained unchanged for about 1,300 years, giving it
an aura of antiquity. As befitting a town with such a long history, Wuzhen produced
through the centuries more successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations
than most other towns. From those ages still standing today and retaining its original
appearance, is the Academy of Classical Learning, dating back to the Qing Dynasty
(1644 – 1911).
stone, tile and wooden boats travelling to and fro and have been preserved rather than
being restored. They have been maintained in good condition through the years by the
loving care of Wuzhen’s inhabitants, making the town a great place to visit and enjoy by
exploring on foot.
A number of the grand homes of the affluent have been renovated into small boutique
restaurants and hotels, but have retained their character. They have become resting
places for those wishing to escape the hurried city life. In my colleague’s words,”It’s a
quiet town and these boutique abodes ensure one’s stay is restful.”
Over 80% of Wuzhen’s area has remained unchanged for about 1,300 years, giving it
an aura of antiquity. As befitting a town with such a long history, Wuzhen produced
through the centuries more successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations
than most other towns. From those ages still standing today and retaining its original
appearance, is the Academy of Classical Learning, dating back to the Qing Dynasty
(1644 – 1911).
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