Newspaper digest

"It is a quiet street, with rows of low houses scattered on both sides of the narrow path. The houses are a bit slantwise, pushing and leaning against each other. Here, you will not see the primness of city dwellers from the local residents. They are used to keeping their doors open, which makes their everyday life clear at just a glance. The shops on the streets are plain, without much decoration and panache. They are not flamboyant, but rather only selling life's necessities to the locals." (Shanghai Weekly, Awaken Sleeping Beauty; October 10, 2002).

"In the town of Shanghai, more than six in 10 houses were built in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and the Republic of China (1912-1949). Several Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) architectures have remained. There are also a large number of old bridges, old temples, and old trees. We can describe this ancient town as a natural beauty and feel the unique charm of the past." (Xinmin Evening News, Xinchang: A quaint town - "Sleeping Beauty" in Nanhui will be Woken Up; October 1, 2002).

"Strolling in Xinchang, a classic water township in south China, we can breathe the damp but soft vapor in the air. Running rivers are flowing gently, bringing new vigor and vitality into this ancient town. Along the riverbanks are residential areas, surrounded by green trees. Black walls, black tiles, green trees and rivers constitute a colorful picture of a watery town." (Jiefang Daily, Feel Palaeowind in Xinchang; December 13,2002).