Blogography Logo
spacer

  Home  

Day Four: Zhou Zhuang

Posted on Monday, September 26th, 2005

Dave!Today was pretty much work all day, but on the way back into the city my host rushed me to the ancient village of Zhou Zhuang (aka "Zhouzhuang," about 90 minutes west of Shanghai) so I could try and visit before it got dark. This is a quaint little fishing village that has been kept much the same as it was in the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911)... except now the structures are filled with tourist traps, where shopkeepers yell at you to view their wares as you pass by. It's kind of sad, in a way, because there's simply too many people competing over too little profit. I can't help but wonder how some of them manage to get by.

Anyway, Zhou Zhuang is cut by a series of canals, and is linked by beautiful stone bridges. You can walk along the narrow streets, or hire a boat to take you along the canals. The boats are kind of Venice-like, in that the oarsman or oarswoman will serenade you with a song as they push through the water.

Kind of a cool way to end the day by seeing China as it once was...

Zhou Zhuang

Zhou Zhuang

Zhou Zhuang

Zhou Zhuang

Zhou Zhuang

I'm whipped. Knackered. Exhausted. Beat. Destroyed. Something tells me I might be able to get a little sleep tonight. That would be a pleasant change from the 3 hours I managed to get last night.


Categories: Travel 2005Click To It: Permalink
   

Comments

  1. girlonaglide says:

    Very interesting Dave… and cool photos. I know this is greedy, capatalist American thinking, but… I can’t help but wonder what a little (lot?) would do to beautify this area. It possesses its own beauty, no doubt, but a fresh coat of paint wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

    What is the neighborhood like there, like, since it’s touristy, is it considered to be an artsy sort of ‘hood? Is it middle-classish with families and schools? Just curious and admittedly, I know very little about China.

  2. SJ says:

    Is there any significance to the red lanterns hanging everywhere?

  3. Dave2 says:

    The community of Zhou Zhuang is a simple village that is very poor, and the tourist dollars don’t look like they can support an upgrade. Ironically, in ancient times, these dwellings were the exclusive homes of the very rich, and considered mansions.

    In some ways, I am glad things are not candy-coated. This is how the people of China really live and survive outside of the cities, and I think if it were awash in fresh paint it would be more of a fantasy (like Disneyland?) than the reality of their life here. On the other hand, this village would be absolutely magical if it could look as it once did. Truly a fantasy-land come to life.

    All of the construction seems to be happening in the newer part of town, which I am guessing is going to be housing. Perhaps after living conditions are improved, they can put more money into restoring the town to its original condition? I don’t know… to renovate an entire town would require massive funding that is probably needed elsewhere. They’ve got the Olympics in Beijing (2008) and the World Expo in Shanghai (2010).

    As for the lanterns, red is the color of happiness and prosperity in China, and people decorate with it to bring good luck. I’m guessing the lanterns are functional decorations to do just that?

  4. lizriz says:

    Dude, how cool is your life?

    Great pics! 🙂

Add a Comment

Blankatar!

   
I love comments! However, all comments are moderated, and won't appear until approved. Are you an abusive troll with nothing to contribute? Don't bother. Selling something? Don't bother. Spam linking? Don't bother.
PLEASE NOTE: My comment-spam protection requires JavaScript... if you have it turned off or are using a mobile device without JavaScript, commenting won't work. Sorry.




   


   


   
   
   
Your personal information is optional. Email addresses are never shown, and are only used by me if a public reply would be too personal or inappropriate here. The URL link to your web site or blog will be provided, so only fill this in if you want people to visit!



   

  Home  

spacer
Welcome:
Blogography is a place to learn and grow by exposing yourself to the mind of David Simmer II, a brilliant commentator on world events and popular culture (or so he claims).
Dave FAQ:
Frequently Asked Questions
Dave Contact:
dave@blogography.com
Blogography Webfeeds:
Atom Entries Feed
Comments Feed
translate me
flags of the world!
lost & found
Search Blogography:
thrice fiction
Thrice Fiction Magazine - March, 2011 - THE END
I'm co-founder of Thrice Fiction magazine. Come check us out!
hard rock moment
Visit DaveCafe for my Hard Rock Cafe travel journal!
travel picto-gram
Visit my travel map to see where I have been in this world!
badgemania
Blogography Badge
Atom Syndicate Badge
Comments Syndicate Badge
Apple Safari Badge
Pirate's Booty Badge
Macintosh Badge
license
All content copyright ©2003-2022
by David Simmer II
   
Creative Commons License
This weblog is licensed under
a Creative Commons License.
ssl security