China Travel Planning 旅游汉语 - Top Water Towns in China

Following will be an introduction of the Top Water Towns in China, each of them enjoys superb natural and cultural environment and forms its own character and unique custom. Taking a tour to the water town is to enjoy a vacation that one can free self in peace, to escape from the over-noising city. So come with TopChinaTravel, to start your own experience in the peaceful water towns.

Zhouzhuang Water Town
Top Water Towns in China - Zhouzhuang Water Town45km to the southeast of Suzhou, Zhouzhuang is considered to be the “No.1 Water Town” in China. As a typical watery town, it has a history of over 900-year and renowned for its profound Wu Culture, unique architectural tradition and unspoiled folk custom, etc. With lakes on four sides, the beauty of Zhouzhuang is specially to be found along the waterside lanes and around a number of the stone bridges.
 
It was entitled one of the Famous Historical and Cultural Town of China in 2003. In 2004, it was listed in the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
 
Famous attractions: Former Residence of Wansan Shen, Fuan Bridge, Shen’s Mansion, Hounded House

Recommended Tour: 4 Days Suzhou and Zhouzhuang Experience


Wuzhen Water Town
Top Water Towns in China - Wuzhen Water TownWith a history of over 1,300 years, only 80 km to the northeast of Hangzhou, Wuzhen Water Town is one of the 4 grand Ancient Towns of Yangtze, which still well preserved its late Qing Dynasty style layout and water system - the whole town is built along the rivers, while the river courses crisscrossed in the town. Water and Town, Wuzhen is a particularly elegant blend of nature and culture. Enjoys superb climate and geographical conditions, Wuzhen is also a place where people called "the land of fish and rice”.

Even on a cold, rainy spring day, Wuzhen, a town surrounded by rivers, about 80 minutes south of Shanghai, has a special beauty which has not yet been overrun by tourists.

Famous attractions: Former Residence of Mao Dun, Old Street of the West Gate, Wenchang Pagoda

Recommended Tour: 4 Days Hangzhou Essence Tour


Tongli Water Town
Top Water Towns in China - Tongli Water TownWith a history of over 1,000 years, Tongli is a typical water town in Jiangsu Province. The city is separated by 15 rivers into seven islets, which are connected through 49 ancient bridges. Tongli, established in the Song Dynasty, has a history of over 1,000 years. Like other water towns, Tongli is built along the water and been separated by river courses into seven islets.

Tongli is reputed for its well-preserved Ming and Qing style architectures, varied shaped old stone bridges and bountiful rivers, while all of which, made it a decent, quiet and picturesque watery town. In 2004, it was listed in the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Famous attractions: Tuisi Garden, Huancui Resort, Gengletang Garden, Woyun Temple

Recommended Tour: 11 Days China Vacation Tour to the Water Towns


Xitang Water Town
Top Water Towns in China - Xitang Water TownRich in historical and natural resources, Xitang Water Town is one of the cradles of Wu and Yue Culture. Lies 85km to the southeast of Suzhou, Xitang is separated by 9 river courses into 8 islets, but 24 time-honored stone bridges connected and reunited all the pieces together.

Peaceful and severs, there are many well-preserved architectural groups constructed during the Ming and Qing dynasties, which boast a higher artistry and study value, thus being highlighted by the experts at home and abroad studying antique buildings.

Famous attractions: Xiyuan Garden, Wolong Bridge, Temple of Sir Jin, Shipi Lane, Chinese Spirits Museum

Recommended Tour: 9 Days Scenic China Essence Tour


Zhujiajiao Water Town
Top Water Towns in China - Zhujiajiao Water TownZhujiajiao is located on the southwest part of Shanghai, endowed with another elegant name - 'Pearl Stream' - the little town is the best-preserved among the four ancient towns in Shanghai. With a history of more than 1,700 years as a bustling commercial centre due to its convenient water transport. Meanwhile, its superb natural scenery makes it a famous tourist site since ancient times. “One Hill, One Lake” is the outlay of its beauty.

Stone bridges, bluestone paved paths, old temples, delicate gardens, narrow lanes, etc. are words to outline the features of this town.

Famous attractions: Dianshan Hill, Dianshan Lake, Fangsheng Bridge, Grand North Street, Baoguo Temple

Recommended Tour: 4 Days Shanghai and Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour


Luzhi Water Town
Top Water Towns in China - Luzhi Water TownLies 23 km to the north of Suzhou, Luzhi Water Town is a typical ancient watery town renowned for its old folk houses, Arhat Statues of Baosheng Temple and ancient business street, etc. Luzhi also enjoys a reputation of “land of bridges” as it well preserved over 41 varied shaped stone bridges, dating back from Song Dynasty (960-1279) to Qing Dynasty (1636-1911).
 
Puli was the ancient name of Luzhi Water Town. An old poem 'Scene of Puli' is still an accurate description of the scenery in the ancient town Luzhi today. It reads, 'Long bridge short bridge with willows; Front stream rear stream with lotus; People watching banner over wine store risen; Seagulls escort boat to home of fishman.'

Famous attractions: Baosheng Temple, Ancient Business Street, Chenghu Lake Unearthed Cultural Relics Museum


Nanxun Water Town
Nanxun water townNanxun Water Town enjoys superb natural environment, and Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou three cities are apart from all about 100 km. With a history of more than 900 years, Nanxun Water Town is rich in historical relics, which bestow this peaceful water town with profound cultural connotation, like time-honored silk industry, delicate gardens and well-preserved folk houses, etc. Nanxun is not only a watery town, but more like a perfect combination with cultural core, business mind and water-like romantic gesture and manner.

Nowadays, Nanxun becomes one of the tourist boom towns. With cultural and regional advantage, it is an ideal destination for leisure, vacationing and sightseeing.

Famous attractions: Bai Jian Lou Building (A Hundred Buildings), Little Lotus Manor, Former Residence of Zhang Juming


Jinze Water Town
Top Water Towns in China - Jinze Water TownLocates in Qingpu District, Shanghai, Jinze Water Town is a unique water town with a history of over 1,300 years. It renowned for its crisscross waterways, but mostly for its bridges, not on the number but for time-honored bridges with different shapes and varied usage, thus it is entitled the “No.1 Bridge Town” of the southern Yangtze area.
 
Jinze Water Town is also a famous Buddhist site that owns the grandest Yihao Temple of the area. So differ with other water towns, it is a town with a little more dignity. The best way to experience Jinze is to attend some worship activities and special festival ceremonies.

Famous attractions: Yihao Temple, Tianhuang Pavilion, Puji Bridge, Yingxiang Bridge, Puqing Bridge


Mudu Water Town
Mudu -ancient townMudu Water Town, an ancient town with a history of over 2,500 years, is located only 12km to the west of Suzhou, just next to famous Taihu Scenic Site. As one of the most famous ancient town of south Yangtze, Mudu water town enjoy superb geographical environment and rich in rich natural resources.

More than 10 outstanding well-preserved private gardens make this watery town the unique Garden-like town in China. Enjoys superb geographical environment, since some hundreds of years ago, it was the most bustling trading port of west Suzhou. Years gone by, Mudu still kept its manner and features.

Famous attractions: Yan’s Garden, Hongyin Mountain House, Shantang Street, Lingyan Mountain, Tianping Hill