the streets are lined with shops and restaurants
they still use cormorants for fishing
the roads are narrow and crowded
the Ruyi pagoda lurks in the distance
the famous Twin Bridge
looks like Chinese Opera
at the central square there is a show going on
a typical canal
Zhouzhuang is sometimes called the Venice of the East, because of the many canals that criss cross this ancient water
township.
The town got its name way back in 1086, but most of the well preserved houses and 14 stone bridges date back to the
times of the
Ming and
Qing dynasties.
Zhouzhuang maintains much of its cultural background; some women still wear the traditional
dress and restaurants serve specialties like
pork hock and rice balls. And for a small fee the women will sing local songs while you dine
on the knuckles.
The favourite way of moving the many tourists around is by gondola, which can lead to major traffic jams
in the small canals.
We visited Zhouzhuang several times, most recently in October 2005.
the Ruyi pagoda at the northern entrance to Zhouzhuang
like in Venice, gondolas roam the canals
these ladies in traditional dress are ready for the recitel
this proud owner of the riksha will drive us back to the parking lot
