Wuzhen, epitome of classic water towns

[Photo by Dong Naide/Asianewsphoto]

With the World Internet Conference being held in Wuzhen, the water town is now in the spotlight again, though its prestigious status as a tourist resort doesn’t need any further enhancement.

Wuzhen is located at the north of Tongxiang city, Zhejiang province. With a history spanning over 1,300 years, the place best exemplifies what a water town south of the Yangtze River should look like.

A cross-shaped river winds through the town, with all buildings along the riverbank facing the water, which presents a mesmerizing landscape. In Wuzhen, waterways act as streets, while riverbanks are markets. Boats come and go in the water with locals and tourists sitting inside chatting, while vendors up on the banks cry out what kinds of goods they have for sale. The abundance of local resources has led to the town being dubbed "the town of rice, fish and silk".

Besides its natural wonders, the cultural landscape in Wuzhen is also worth noting. It has best preserved the layout and landscape from the late Qing dynasty and the Minguo period (1912-1949). Also the architectural style of buildings has fully demonstrated the philosophy that “harmony is beauty”, which is deeply rooted in ancient Chinese architecture.