Water town (China)

Water towns, also called Canal towns (水乡), are certain ancient and historic towns in China known for their bridges, rivers, and canals. Such towns exist in many regions in China, although those in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces are often the most renowned.

Luzhi

Fengjing

Nanxun

Canal towns are generally concentrated in the Jiangnan area which includes the Jiangsu province, Zhejiang province and Shanghai area and is located towards the south of the Yangtze River. The main reasons these river-based settlements appeal to tourists is "the attractive historic and cultural heritage the ancient towns have; and secondly, the atmosphere in the towns represent harmony between the residents and its nature". [1] In particular, the idyllic small-town setting enables urban residents to escape from the noise, pollution and pressures of cities".[1]

Some cities in the Jiangnan area such as Suzhou and Shaoxing have also long been famous for their canals and bridges. However, they can not be classified as "towns" as they fall to a larger "city" category.

Notable towns

Zhejiang:

• Anchang, Shaoxing
• Cicheng, Ningbo
• Nanxun, Huzhou
• Wuzhen, Jiaxing
• Xinshi, Huzhou
• Xitang, Jiaxing

Shanghai:

• Fengjing
• Qibao
• Zhujiajiao

Jiangsu:

• Bacheng, Kunshan
• Jinxi, Kunshan
• Luzhi, Suzhou
• Mudu, Suzhou
• Qiandeng, Kunshan
• Shuangfeng, Taicang
• Tongli, Suzhou
• Zhouzhuang, Kunshan

References

1. Fan, Chennan (Nancy); Wall, Geoffrey; Mitchell, Clare J.A. (August 2008). "Creative destruction and the water town of Luzhi, China". Tourism Management. 29 (4): 648–660. doi:10.1016/j.tourman.2007.07.008.

See also

• Venice of the East

External links

• China's 5 most beautiful water towns (CNN)