Water towns
TongliBefore you leave the Shanghai area, you must visit a water town. These are towns built around a canal system, Suzhou, known for its silks and gardens, is probably the most famous water/garden town, but there are others that are less touristy. Most are doable on day trips from China’s most populous city.
On our last trip to Shanghai, we chose to visit Tongli, a water town about an hour’s drive from Shanghai. It’s an old and gracous town that oozes charm. With 49 bridges crossing the canals, Tongli is known as the “Little Venice of the Orient.” The old town of Tongli is about a thousand years old and is quiet and peaceful. The hustle and bustle is left to the new town. There is no “fast lane” in the old town. Like the water that slowly flows through the canals, life is unrushed, unhurried, peaceful. Sidewalk cafes line the canals on the Mingqing Jie, providing a good opportunity for relaxed snacking or dining. Tongli boasts beautiful gardens and museums — a sex museum relocated here from Shanghai. We didn’t go to it, however. After the lightning fast pace of Shanghai, we were content to visit a garden, wander around the city and enjoy snacks at a canal-side café. Oh, and we also took a gondola ride through the canals. The next time we go, we plan to stay overnight there to give us even more time to chill out. How to get there: The easiest way to get there is via a tourist bus that leaves from Shanghai Stadium. The ticket includes round-trip bus fare and admissions to Tongli attractions. |
JiadingJiading is another water town only one that’s off the tourist map. Our Shanghai friends took us there to meet relatives, who took us to visit the local Confucius scholars’ museum, which was a very pretty, tranquil place. We also spent some time just walking around the city with its quaint shops and enjoyed lunch at a restaurant that served what I’d describe as a baked corn pancake. It was very tasty.
Buses to Jiading leave frequently from the bus station at Shanghai Stadium. It takes about an hour to make the trip. Jiading provides an opportunity to glimpse life in a normal Chinese community. |
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Copyright 2012 by Cheryl Probst. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2012 by Cheryl Probst. All rights reserved.