Ancient Towns in Zhejiang

Zhejiang occupies part of the region south of the Yangtze. Apart from the famous West Lake situated in its capital city Hangzhou, it is home to many historic towns with impressive scenery. These ancient towns are filled with intersecting waterways, stone arch bridges, stone streets, and the famous gardens of unique style in the southern Yangtze Delta. If you are obsessed with natural beauty and interested in traditional culture in the Yangtze Delta, you are not supposed to miss these ancient towns during your China tours. Among these picturesque towns, the following three destinations have attracted numerous visitors and enjoyed high reputation. 

Wuzhen

The attractiveness of Wuzhen lies in its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Waterways are intersected with each other, displaying unique scenery which characterizes the region with abundant rainfalls. Houses are built on the banks of rivers and people have led quiet lives there for several generations. Apart from the watery scenery, stone arch bridges, pathways and delicate wood carvings scatter across the town, demonstrating its long history. The traditional workshops, local-styled houses, traditional food, shops and stores demonstrate its rich cultural heritage and distinctive customs. Nowadays, visitors are able to witness such tradtional crafts as weaving in ancient ways and tobacco-planing. Houses of local residents are decorated with carved doors and windows in wood or stone. It is also hometown of Mao Dun, who is a famous writer with revolutionary mind in modern China. The former residence of Mao Dun still exists and it is open to visitors. 

Xitang

Xitang is an ancient town in Jiashan County, Zhejiang Province. Its area is much smaller and the population is less in number compared with Wuzhen. However, its history is equally impressive, dating back to the Spring and Autumn Period. Its present site used to be the border area of the State of Yue and Wu at that time. The town is linked by stone bridges of ancient styles. Its remarkable natural beauty and distinctive tranquility make it popular among visitors from home and abroad. 

Shaoxing

Shaoxing is not among the six ancient towns in the Yangtze Delta. But its reputation ranks high among similar tourist destinations. Its name literally means “consistent prosperity”，conveying a sense of poetic ideal. In ancient time, Shaoxing is the capital of the State of Yue in the Spring and Autumn Period. 

Shaoxing is the hometown of lots of oustanding figures in ancient times, including the calligrapher Wang Xizhi in Eastern Jin Dynasty, the poet Lu You in Southern Song Dynasty, the painter Xu Wei and the essayist Zhang Dai in Ming Dynasty. In modern era, many renowned people used to spend their childhood here, such as Cai Yuanpei, Ma Yinchu, Lu Xun, Zhou Zuoren and Qiu Jin. So Shaoxing is also famous for its cultural heritage. 

Shaoxing Wine enjoys high reputation locally and nationally. It is also named as Chinese rice wine or Shao Wine. Its unique flavour and long history is part of the profound and splendid“Yue Culture”. It is frequently used in cooking as well. 

These well-preserved ancient towns are also famous for long history and rich cultural heritage. Waterways intersect within the town, displaying remarkable natural scenery. If you are interested in strolling down the canals, or communicating with local people leading quiet lives, please consider the anciet towns in Zhejiang Province for your China travel.