South China Water Town

South China Water Town Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

In Chinese, South China (Jiangnan) means "south of the Yangtze River." Many small rivers flow through this region. The South China (Jiangnan) regions were developed very early and enjoyed prosperity for a long time.

Water town suggest to see

Chinese ancient water towns are well known for their ancient houses, bridges and the rivers running through them. Today, there are six well-preserved water towns that still remain in Zhejiang and Jiangsu Provinces. In these water towns, there remains architecture that dates back more than 1,000 years. More important, there exists a culture and a lifestyle that is glaringly absent in modern busy Chinese cities today.

Zhouzhuang

Zhouzhuang is a famous water town located within the county-level city of Kunshan, in Jiangsu Province. Covering an area of half a square kilometer (124 acres), Zhouzhuang 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. It has been named the "Venice of the East." Over 60 percent of the residential homes were built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Wuzhen

Wuzhen, about 75 km away from Hangzhou, is located in south of Yangtze River with a history of 1200 years. There residential houses are built beside rivers, while on both sides of streets, abundant ancient architectures of Ming and Qing Dynasties still remain as they were. Strolling along the ancient slabstone-paved streets, looking at typically imposing dwellings with spacious courtyards, overlapping roofs and high eaves, it seems that you are walking into a traditional Chinese wash painting and experiencing an atmosphere of antiquity. Other structures apart from houses run along the rivers, like docks, walkways, workshops, commercial buildings, and pavilions, some on the water.

Xitang

Xitang nestles in the north of Jiashan County, Zhejiang Province. Xitang is an ancient town with peaceful and beautiful environment. The tiny water town features flat terrain, crisscrossed rivers, numerous, bridges, lanes and ceilinged corridors. Xitang possesses many old bridges built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Most of them are single-or triple-arched wooden beam bridges with stone piers.

Luzhi

Luzhi is an old but extremely beautiful water town, located in Kunshan City about 25 kilometers east of Suzhou City. With a history of more than 1400 years, it compares favorably to Zhouzhuang Town. Old stone bridges, limpid water, venerable maidenhair trees and old-style dwellings, as well as the traditional women's costumes, create an ideal civilized, rich, pastoral and harmonious environment. In addition, Luzhi is noted for several historical and cultural relics, such as Baosheng Temple, the Wansheng Rice Company and the White Lotus Flower Temple of the North Song Dynasty.

Nanxun

Nanxun is about 120 km to the west of Shanghai, 65 km to the south of Suzhou and 125 km to the north of Hangzhou. In the Qing Dynasty, the bustling town was the focus of many wealth merchants and for centuries it has been home to many famous Chinese scholars. Nanxue is soaked in ancient culture. Local people have created a unique lifestyle and culture in this fertile land. The original flavor of Nanxun has been well kept with old stone bridges, streets between rivers, houses along rivers, mansions with a combination of Chinese and western architecture, and old pine and cypress trees in courtyards.

Tongli

Tongli is an age-old but very well preserved water township with a history of more than 1,000 years. It is located on the eastern shore of Lake Taihu, just 18 kilometers (11 miles) from Suzhou City. Arched roofs, lofty gables, stone bridges and green willows lining the banks can be found almost everywhere in the town. They help create a poetic and romantic atmosphere, especially in early spring when trees are budding and refreshing drizzles are frequent. The landscape also makes Tongli a town of bridges. There are 49 stone bridges linking different sections of the town, each displaying a different style.

South China Water Town Highlights

South China Water Town Highlights Related

South China Water Town attraction highlights

• Ancient Town of Zhouzhuang
• Ancient Town of Wuzhen
• Old Town of Xitang
• Tongli Town

South China Water Town FAQ & Travelers's Tips

1. I know the big rivers in China divide this country into different drainage areas. Can you introduce some famous rivers for me?
2. Which one is the longest river in China?
3. Why Chinese refer to the Yellow River as "the Mother River" and "the Cradle of the Chinese civilization?"
4. If I want to pay a visit to the Yangtze River, Could you recommend some famous scenic areas?
5. I am interested in the three Yangze River Gorges, May I know more about them?
6. Which is the most convenient way If I pay a visit to the three Yangze River Gorges?
7. Could you recommend some famous mountains in China?
8. Can you recommend some of the Five Sacred Mountains briefly?
9. Can you recommend some good choices if I want to climb mountain?
10. What is the best time to climb mountains in China such as the five famous mountains? Can I reserve rooms on the top of the mountains?
11. There is a saying in China: east or west, Guilin is the best. Why do we say that?
12. Silk Road is an imaginary place for me. Could you give a general introduction?
13. What is the best season to visit the Silk Road?
14. Why Giant Panda is referred to a Chinese national treasure?

1. I know the big rivers in China divide this country into different drainage areas. Can you introduce some famous rivers for me?

   Sure, there are some long rivers they divide China into different regions such as Yangtze River, Yellow River, Qinhuai River, Huai River, Yalu River and some other rivers.
   




2. Which one is the longest river in China?

   I should say the Yangtze River (Changjiang), over 6,300 kilometers long, it is the largest and longest river in China, and the third-longest in the world. As the largest river in the region, the Yangtze is historically, culturally, and economically important to China.
   

3. Why Chinese refer to the Yellow River as "the Mother River" and "the Cradle of the Chinese civilization?"

   The Yellow River is called "the cradle of Chinese civilization," as its basin is the birthplace of the northern Chinese civilizations and is the most prosperous region in early Chinese history. But frequent devastating flooding, largely due to the elevated river bed in its lower course, has also earned it the unenviable name "China's Sorrow."




4. If I want to pay a visit to the Yangtze River, Could you recommend some famous scenic areas?

   Yes, the most impressive section of the river is the three Yangtze River Gorges: Qutang Gorge, Wuxia Gorge and Xiling Gorge, collectively known as Sanxia, or the Three Gorges.
   
   
   
   

5. I am interested in the three Yangze River Gorges, May I know more about them?

   Qutang Gorge, Rocky Mountains rise perpendicularly like walls on both sides of the river squeezing the broad river into a narrow ribbon threading its way in the Qutang Gorge. The turbulent waters flowing in the deep gorge along a continuous line of peaks make a most magnificent picture. Wuxia Gorge is noted for its deep and serene scenes. Wuxia Gorge is full of zigzag, weird peaks, rising mists and beautiful sights. The famous Twelve Peaks on both banks of the river, in particular, are the most spectacular. These strange-looking peaks are like a fairy maid dancing. And Xiling Gorge is known for dangerous rapids and numerous shoals, the latter including the Qingtan, Kongling and Xietan shoals.
   
   

6. Which is the most convenient way If I pay a visit to the three Yangze River Gorges?

   In most cases, steamboat is your favorite choice. When the steamboat ploughed across the largest river, you can enjoy the spectacular scenery on both sides.
   
   
   

7. Could you recommend some famous mountains in China?

   There are Five Sacred Mountains in China. They are the Eastern Mountain - Mt. Taishan, the Sounthern Mountain C Mt. Hengshan, the Western Mountain C Mt. Huashan, the Northern Mountain C Mt. Hengshan and the Central Mountain C Mt. Songshan.
   

8. Can you recommend some of the Five Sacred Mountains briefly?

   I will introduce you the most representative two mountains: Mt. Taishan and Mt. Huashan. Towering in the central part of Shandong Province, Mt. Taishan, with its elevation of 1545 meters above sea level, is the first of China's five sacred mountains and one of the national major famous scenic areas. Standing in Huayin County, 120 km east of Xi'an City, the Mt. Huashan is noted for its sheer cliffs and towering peaks. The peaks are connected by a series of sharp ridges, generally only wide enough to accommodate one person at a time Along the touring route, tourists can visit many amazing ancient buildings perched on the knife-sharp edges.

    

9. Can you recommend some good choices if I want to climb mountain?

   I should mention the Eastern Mountain - Mt. Taishan. There is a saying that Mt.Taishan is the preeminent of the Five Sacred Mountains. Mt. Taishan has an extremely rich cultural heritage. It has always been regarded as pre-eminent among China's five sacred mountains. It was also a symbol of power. And secondly, I should say Mt. Huangshan. It is often said that enjoy Huangshan Mountain, there're no more mountains! Mt. Huangshan can boast not only of its magnificence but also its abundant resources and great variety of zoological species, for which it has been listed as a World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site.




10. What is the best time to climb mountains in China such as the five famous mountains? Can I reserve rooms on the top of the mountains?

    Sure, we can always make the arrangement according to your requirements. If you want to stay one night on the top of the mountain, please let us know so that we can inform the hotels beforehand to meet your needs. Actually, different seasons have different scene, but there is one rule you should to follow that is to avoid the high tourist season in China.
    
    

11. There is a saying in China: east or west, Guilin is the best. Why do we say that?

    Guilin is the world famous scenery tour city, has the matchless karst landform. Here mountain, the flat land pulls out, differ in thousands of ways; The Lijiang River water, winds windingly, the clear and bright like mirror; The mountain has the hole, the hole peaceful scene is wonderful, magnificent sight. So she got the name.
    
    

12. Silk Road is an imaginary place for me. Could you give a general introduction?

    Silk Road is one of the world's oldest and most historically important trade routes and its influences on the culture of China, Central Asia and the West. It is a series of trade and cultural transmission routes that were central to cultural interaction through regions of the Asian continent connecting East and West Asia by linking traders, merchants, pilgrims, monks, soldiers, nomads and urban dwellers from China to the Mediterranean Sea during various periods of time.
    

13. What is the best season to visit the Silk Road?

    The months of May and October are the best time to travel the Silk Road. The summer can be searingly hot. The winter is freezing. During May, the average temperature along the Silk Road is around 15 C. The scenery is most beautiful during May. The accumulated winter snow on the tableland is melting. The grass is turning green. Visitors can enjoy this enchanting scenery without suffering extreme temperatures.
    
    

14. Why Giant Panda is referred to a Chinese national treasure?

    The Giant Panda is a mammal classified in the bear family (Ursidae), native to central-western and southwestern China. In recent decades the Giant Panda has also served as an emblem for the country. Its image appears on a large number of modern Chinese commemorative silver, gold, and platinum coins. The species is a favorite of the public, at least in part because many people find that it has a baby-like cuteness. So we had a panda, called Pan Pan as one of our mascots of the 2008 Olympic Games, which implied expecting peace, friendship and good results of the athletes.