By Gisela Pan (Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2007-10-11 10:53

Zhouzhuang

With a history going back 900 years, Zhouzhuang is a "modern" watertown and is a comfortable fusion of traditional culture and today's lifestyle. It is noted for its well-preserved ancient residences, elegant waterfront views and strong local traditions and customs.

In 1988, Zhouzhuang was included on the World Cultural Heritage Candidate List by UNESCO. The natural environment gives Zhouzhuang its distinctive lifestyle: boats are used to cover even very short distances. The surrounding lakes make it a tranquil retreat from the turmoil of the outside world.

Jinxi Town

Many foreigners believe Jinxi is the paragon of Yangtze River watertowns. The late well-known writer Shen Congwen described it as "a dreaming damsel" while Feng Yingzi, quoting an ancient Chinese line, said it "looks as becoming as ever, whether in light or heavy makeup."

The town is named after the Jinxi River which zigzags through it from north to south. Jinxi is called the hometown of Chinese folk museums because it initiated the Chinese Ancient Bricks and Tiles Museum and the Antiques Museum of East China, as well as others. The residents live a quiet life and the towm seems to be isolated from the stream of time.

Sanshan Island and Cangshan

Sanshan Island enjoys a temperate climate: the four seasons are distinct, the winter is not too cold and summer not too hot. The Cangshan scenery is serene and beautiful.

Cangshan is a state-level key scenic spot area. Meny fossil remains of mammals were discovered in 1984, such as macaques, brown bears and wild boar.

Fossils of the trilobite nautilus have also been found on Sanshan Mountain.

Tourists also come for cave exploration.

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