Learning Chinese - Top ten charming Chinese towns (II)

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Top ten charming Chinese towns (II)
(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-04-24 10:22



To big city dwellers, small towns always seem fascinating. Here are the
ten most charming towns in China chosen by CCTV from more than a hundred
candidates. The towns were selected on the merits of their natural
scenery, cultural heritage, local folk customs, and economic vigor. Each
of them is notable for something unique, such as the rivers and bridges
of Wuzhen, the castle retreat of Zhangbi, and the exotic boundary town
Shiwei which featured in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Want to know
more? Follow Citylife's guide to take a closer look.

6. Tongli, Jiangsu


Sometimes called the "Little Venice of the Orient", Tongli is surrounded
by lakes on all four sides. It boasts clear waters, many bridges and
gardens from the Ming and Qing dynasties, and is a perfect representation
of Confucian culture. The most famous gardens are Tuisiyuan - a garden
for meditation, with its a comprehensive complex of kiosks, viewing
platforms and kiosks; and Gengletang where the old weathered houses
provide a faithful record of the past. As well as walking through the old
Jiangnan lanes with flower-engraved doors and pebble tracks, you can take
a boat ride on the river (RMB 80 for one boat daytime/RMB 50-60 at
night). And don't miss zhuangyuanti - a local pigs' trotter dish.

Location: 10 km west of Zhouzhuang, 18 km from Suzhou


Tickets: RMB 35-80 depending on the season and how many spots you visit


How to get there:
Take Huqingping Road from Shanghai and continue through Qinpu, and take
Suhu Hongqiao Airport Road. Or take Huning Highway from Shanghai, and
take Sujia Road at Suzhou through Wujiang to get to Tongli (the whole
trip is 25km).





Tongli, Jiangsu
Nanxun, Zhejiang
Xingan, Guangxi
Shiwan, Guangdong
Shiwei, Inner Mongolia

Heshun, Yunnan
Wuzhen, Zhejiang
Taining, Fujian
Hongcun, Anhui
Zhangbi, Shanxi







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