>> Ancient - Zhujiajiao Town was formed around around 1,700 years ago. The town was officially established during the Ming Dynasty. The administrative area of Zhujiajiao covers a total of 138 square kilometers, including an ancient town of 2.7 sq. kms.
There are archaeological findings of 5,000 years ago of the living evidence of the primitives.
>> Posperous - The town became properous with the cloth and rice business. There are still the remnants of the histrocial sites, such as the post office of the Qing Dynasty, the old rice and oil stores, old banks, a power plant and ancient properties.
>> On the river - There are numerous rivers crisscrossing the town. Nine long streets run along the rivers; thousands of ancient buildings stand on the banks. Thirty-six ancient stone bridges consitutue a picture of ancient town life.
>> Pureland from hustle and bustle - Take a walk on a moonlit night or under drizzling rain on the little slab-stone paths to explore the ancient times. Those were the stone paths on which the scholars trod on their way back with success at the Imperial Examination. Imagine you are in that picture. Is it enchanting?
There are archaeological findings of 5,000 years ago of the living evidence of the primitives.
>> Posperous - The town became properous with the cloth and rice business. There are still the remnants of the histrocial sites, such as the post office of the Qing Dynasty, the old rice and oil stores, old banks, a power plant and ancient properties.
>> On the river - There are numerous rivers crisscrossing the town. Nine long streets run along the rivers; thousands of ancient buildings stand on the banks. Thirty-six ancient stone bridges consitutue a picture of ancient town life.
>> Pureland from hustle and bustle - Take a walk on a moonlit night or under drizzling rain on the little slab-stone paths to explore the ancient times. Those were the stone paths on which the scholars trod on their way back with success at the Imperial Examination. Imagine you are in that picture. Is it enchanting?
Zhouzhuang Water Village
>>Located in Kunshan City, Zhouzhuang is only 30 kilometers southeast of Suzhou in Jiangsu Province, or 1.5 hours ride from Shanghai. Zhouzhuang, being a water village, has formed a distinctive folk customs based on its great historical and cultural traditions plus its unique natural environment. The town offers a timeless beauty and charm to visitors because of its winding water channels, arched stone bridges, wooden boating rowing and well-preserved ancient buildings.
>>More than 100 residential houses here were built during the Ming and Qing dynasties. They usually have two stories and feature upturned eaves, white brick walls, black tiles and crimson wooden windows and doors. These houses serve as a living museum for people today to get a glimpse of how the locals lived throughout all the years. Among these old houses, the mansion of Shen Family and Zhang Family are the most famous.
>>A dozen of stone bridges in Zhouzhuang are still the major passages today. The Twin Bridges are the best-known as considered the symbol of the village. Crossing the two crisscross rivers and connecting at the middle, Twin Bridges look like a Chinese old-style Chinese key. The locals love to tell a story about the bridge that involves a famous Chinese artist, an American businessman and China’s former great state leader…
>>More than 100 residential houses here were built during the Ming and Qing dynasties. They usually have two stories and feature upturned eaves, white brick walls, black tiles and crimson wooden windows and doors. These houses serve as a living museum for people today to get a glimpse of how the locals lived throughout all the years. Among these old houses, the mansion of Shen Family and Zhang Family are the most famous.
>>A dozen of stone bridges in Zhouzhuang are still the major passages today. The Twin Bridges are the best-known as considered the symbol of the village. Crossing the two crisscross rivers and connecting at the middle, Twin Bridges look like a Chinese old-style Chinese key. The locals love to tell a story about the bridge that involves a famous Chinese artist, an American businessman and China’s former great state leader…
Nanxun Water Village
If you are looking for the really historical and multi-cultural old town around Shanghai, you should think about Nanxun. It's a town that cherishes the soul of south Yangtze Delta region. She is regarded as the representing place where the riches in old times assembled, where there are old streets and water channels, exquisite gardens, Anhui-style residential houses, classical western-style architectures and abundant sceneries, where it was said that she had been as rich as the Qing government. Besides, the silk made here won top prizes in World Expo held in London in 1851 and Panama in 1915 respectively. This is the charm of Nanxun.
In the area of about two square kilometers of Nanxun, there are national, provincial and city protected sites, 17 altogether. The Jiaye Library, Xiaolianzhuang Lotus Villa, row houses along the canal and the former residence
of Zhang Shiming are the recommended tourist sites.
In the area of about two square kilometers of Nanxun, there are national, provincial and city protected sites, 17 altogether. The Jiaye Library, Xiaolianzhuang Lotus Villa, row houses along the canal and the former residence
of Zhang Shiming are the recommended tourist sites.
Suzhou
>>Suzhou lies to the west of Shanghai, almost two hours’ ride between the two cities. Suzhou is a delicate city famed for its scenic spots and enjoys the reputation of “Heaven on Earth”. Its breathtaking gardens have been added to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Of the top four classical gardens in China, Suzhou has the Humble Administrator’s Garden (Zhuozheng Yuan) and the Lingering Garden (Liu Yuan). Tiger Hill, rich in historic and cultural relics, and Hanshan Temple, famed after a popular poem, together with Lion’s Grove, Plum Garden, are another couple of worth-visiting scenic spots.
>>In addition, Suzhou is the ideal place to buy silk and sandalwood fans and embroidered artworks. These traditional crafts can even win the hearts of domestic visitors.
>>In addition, Suzhou is the ideal place to buy silk and sandalwood fans and embroidered artworks. These traditional crafts can even win the hearts of domestic visitors.
Hangzhou
>>If you ask me about the most beautiful cities in China in terms of natural scenery and cultural relics, Hangzhou is on the top out of question. Although Hangzhou has been through many recent urban developments, it still retains its historical and cultural heritage. There is no other city like Hangzhou boasting such a large area of hills and lakes in the downtown, with a concentration of 40 scenic spots in the city. The city is full of parks and the greens fill in your eyes. Hangzhou, known as “A Paradise on Earth”, is also called the “back garden of Shanghai” that means Shanghai is suitable for work while Hangzhou is a leisured city for living. This holds even more truth since the high-speed rail line connected the two cities, which takes merely 45 minutes to commute. Foreign visitors to Shanghai are encouraged to look around in Hangzhou, the most gorgeous city in China.
>>One of Hangzhou’s most popular sights is West Lake which is regarded as the most beautiful lake in southeast region of China. From Leifeng Pagoda tourists could command a panoramic view of the lake. The ancient Liuhe Pagoda offers that of the Qiantang River that is famous for tidal bores. Besides, the Linyin Temple and Flying Peak, Xiling Engravers’ Society and the plantation garden of prestigious Dragon Well (Longjing) green tea are some of other most recommended spots to visit.
>>One of Hangzhou’s most popular sights is West Lake which is regarded as the most beautiful lake in southeast region of China. From Leifeng Pagoda tourists could command a panoramic view of the lake. The ancient Liuhe Pagoda offers that of the Qiantang River that is famous for tidal bores. Besides, the Linyin Temple and Flying Peak, Xiling Engravers’ Society and the plantation garden of prestigious Dragon Well (Longjing) green tea are some of other most recommended spots to visit.
Nanjing
>>Nanjing is the capital city of Jiangsu Province. As one of the four central main cities of Yangtze River Delta, Nanjing next to Shanghai is also the second the largest commercial center in the Southeast China region. It takes 75 minutes by high-speed train to get to Nanjing from Shanghai.
>>Historically, Nanjing has been known as “Capital of Six Dynasties” and “Metropolis of Ten Kingdoms”. It served as the capital of China during several historical periods and is recognised as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. Nanjing was the capital of the Republic of China before the Chinese Civil War in 1949. Nanjing has long been a national center of education, research, transport networks, and tourism. The city will host the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics.
>>The long history and profound cultural deposit made Nanjing a famous tourism city nowadays. As a great ancient city plus its beautiful landscape, there are many historical and cultural attractions. Among these, the must-see ones include Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling Tombs, both in Zhongshan Mountain Scenic Area, Xuanwu Lake Park and Presidential Residence and the Memorial Hall to the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre.
>>Historically, Nanjing has been known as “Capital of Six Dynasties” and “Metropolis of Ten Kingdoms”. It served as the capital of China during several historical periods and is recognised as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. Nanjing was the capital of the Republic of China before the Chinese Civil War in 1949. Nanjing has long been a national center of education, research, transport networks, and tourism. The city will host the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics.
>>The long history and profound cultural deposit made Nanjing a famous tourism city nowadays. As a great ancient city plus its beautiful landscape, there are many historical and cultural attractions. Among these, the must-see ones include Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling Tombs, both in Zhongshan Mountain Scenic Area, Xuanwu Lake Park and Presidential Residence and the Memorial Hall to the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre.