The Ancient Towns of Water Country

The Ancient Towns of Water Country

The ancient towns in the suburban water country of Suzhou are vibrant spots of great appeal like the old city itself. Among the things of tourist interest are the waterways, bridges, and traditional houses with white walls and dark roof-tiles in the towns of Luzhi, Tongli, and Zhouzhuang, the picturesque scenes of Lake Tai and hills, and historical relics in the East Hill and the West Hill, the gardens of distinct features in Mudu, Shaxi, Qiandeng, and Jinxi, and their rich collections folk cultural relics, etc. 　　
Since initial development of tourism industry, these ancient towns have been under planned protection with emphasis laid on preserving the traditional outlook of the towns. The houses of simplicity and quaintness, serene scenes of waterways and bridges, the down-to-earth town folks, are combined to present a picture of typical folk customs of the water country in the southern Yangtze delta. 　　
The water-bound ancient towns in Suzhou, nurtured and adorned by the crystal waters, impart an air of quiet serenity and ease, which attract the attention of tourists from China and abroad.