The Venice Of East Central China Lures The Visitors

by Habeeb Salloum

Two hours after leaving the booming metropolis of Shanghai, we parked at the entrance of Wuzhen, fondly called by some of its admirers the ’Venice of the East.’ In a few moments, we had climbed into a pole-steered large barge that ploughed the waterways of Wuzhen - the last of China’s ‘water towns’ to be opened to visitors.

The town reminded me of Venice and its canals - only on a smaller scale. To bring the comparison nearer to reality, the time that I sailed the gondolas of Venice was in February and it was biting cold. I travelled to Wuzhen in April and it felt cold, but a little less than Venice.

As we gently moved through the murky waters, shrouded by a heavy-foggy mist, the homes edging the water seemed like ghostly figures coming out of the fog. Soon the mist lifted and one could see creeks flowing into town, spanned by ancient sturdy stone bridges of various design, all oozing with character. The creeks looked like canals and some of these were - the largest being the Beijing-Hangzhou 1,800 km (1,118 mi) Grand Canal, partially silted, that passes through town.

We left our barge at one of these bridges to explore the city by foot. Edging slab stone-paved streets, which display thousands of years of history, we passed ancient residential houses, pawnshops, pubs, restaurants, workshops, weaving and dyeing establishments and stores selling the necessities of life - all housed in brownish wooden structures, seemingly in need of paint, but all appearing neat and clean.

Most of these ancient buildings are called by some writers, architectural symphonies of stone, tile and wooden boats travelling to and fro and have been preserved rather than being restored. They have been maintained in good condition through the years by the loving care of Wuzhen’s inhabitants, making the town a great place to visit and enjoy by exploring on foot.

A number of the grand homes of the affluent have been renovated into small boutique restaurants and hotels, but have retained their character. They have become resting places for those wishing to escape the hurried city life. In my colleague’s words,”It’s a quiet town and these boutique abodes ensure one’s stay is restful.” 

Over 80% of Wuzhen’s area has remained unchanged for about 1,300 years, giving it an aura of antiquity.  As befitting a town with such a long history, Wuzhen produced through the centuries more successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations than most other towns. From those ages still standing today and retaining its original appearance, is the Academy of Classical Learning, dating back to the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911).

However, historically Wuzhen has been noted for its crafts and artisans and life continues as it has for at least 1,000 years. Copper artisans, silk weavers, and wood carvers ply their trade as their ancestors did in the past.  Not much different as in the medieval ages, the artisans go about their work, while on the street men play ‘may jongg,’ cycle-rickshaw drivers wait for customers, people cart their drinking water. Women-folk cook their meals often look after the silk worms and tend their tiny gardens of chrysanthemums and other plants. It is as it always has been.

These Wuzhen craftsmen draw visitors especially those practising the ancient art of hand producing indigo-dyed printed calico. Once all indigo-dyed curtains, scarves, and tablecloths in the region were made from hand printed calico. Today, even though it is still common to see old women using spinning wheels and looms at weaving workshops in the back streets of Wuzhen, it’s mostly the tourist’s trade that keeps the craft alive.

We stopped at an indigo establishment where we were shown all the stages of operation, from fermenting the indigo to making the end product.  It had been drizzling all day and though the inhabitants say ‘Wuzhen is at its best on rainy days,’ I found it too cold and damp and a stop at the indigo shop was a welcome event. Like all good tourists we bought our indigo souvenirs then, umbrella in hand, we moved past centuries-old wooden houses. The fine falling raindrops shrouding in a drizzle boats travelling to and fro on the river surfaces had a picturesque postcard aura, but I did not care, I was too cold.

However, the soft rain did not seem to bother the daily life of the locals. I could see that many had retained the tradition of buying fruit and vegetables through the windows of their waterside houses from boats plying the creeks. No need to shop in markets. The markets come to ones home.

The town appears to have been turned into a modern tourist destination without losing its historical charm. The local government invested millions of yuans for maintaining and improving the town's environment. Along with an inherited harmony of man and nature, social progress has brought a pleasing living environment. While taking care to retain the town's original look, the modern management of sanitation and appearance have ensured for the town a clean and beautiful environment.

We enjoyed touring the town for most of the day then when the evening mist began to roll across town and the town’s lights went on, we left for Huangzhou where it is said are to be found the most beautiful women in China. We left the fairytale water town behind, an enchanting jewel created by nature and man, for a legend in history. Were we wise?  Man’s nature is to be forever searching!

F YOU GO

To get to Wuzhen from Shanghai takes 1 1/2 hours by bus from Shanghai West Bus Station. From Hangzhou to Wuzhen, there are regular buses running from Hangzhou East Bus Station to Wuzhen. The journey takes about 45 minutes. For local transportation rickshaws and taxis provide transportation between tourist centers and the bus station in Wuzhen.

 Foreigners travelling to China must apply to a local Chinese embassy or consulate for tourist visas.

The currency of China, the RMB or Yuan, is currently valued at about 6.5 to the U.S. dollar; and the same to the Canadian dollar.  Conversion of foreign currency can be done in banks or hotels. China is one of the few countries in the world where hotels give the same rates as the banks. The exchange rate for traveller cheques is more favourable than that for cash. Also, most credit cards are accepted.

Taxi fares in China are always clearly marked on the taxi window. Most taxi drivers do not understand much English. Hence, visitors should have their destinations written down by a hotel clerk in Chinese and show the written destination to the cab driver.

Only some tap water in China is potable. However, bottled mineral water is on sale everywhere.

For hotels in Wuzhen see: http://www.chinahotels.hk/wuzhen-hotels/ Best Western Gold River Side Hotel is a good choice.

China has removed all departure taxes.

Some of the Tourist Sites in Wuzhen:

Aged Ginkgo Tree, over 1000 years old has witnessed the town's history since the Song Dynasty.

Memorial Archway to commemorate the stay to study of Crown Prince Liang Zhaoming - a great figure in Chinese literary history,

Xiuzhen Guan, a Taoist temple - one of three famous Taoist temples on the south bank of the Yangtze River.

Xiuzhen Guan Stage, built in 1749, the stage was the place where farmers around the town came by boat to watch plays from their boats floating on the waterway.

For Further Information, Contact:

China National Tourist Office, Toronto, 480 University Avenue, Suite 806 Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1V2, Canada, Tel: 416-599-6636, 1-866-599-6636, Fax: 416-599-6382, E-mail: cnto@tourismchina-ca.com;  China National Tourist Office, New York, 370 Lexington Ave. #912, New York, NY 10017 USA, Toll Free: 1-888-760-8218, Tel: 1-212-760-8218, Fax: 1-212-760-8809 Email: ny@cnto.org