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At about 8AM your English-speaking guide and driver will
pick you up from your hotel in Hangzhou. From there we will
make the two hour drive to Wuzhen. Wuzhen is one of China�s
ancient water towns, where waterways thread their way
through the flagstone streets and alleys. Wuzhen is located
in north Zhejiang province, and is only about an hour�s
drive from Hangzhou. The name "water town" is especially
apt; besides lying on the Grand Canal, the settlement is
completely encircled by two rivers - the Dong Shi and a
smaller tributary, which meet at a T-junction.
The waterways of Wuzhen are kept topped up with water by the
adjacent Hangzhou to Beijing Grand Canal, which is still
used to supply the dry north with water from the wet south
and local goods transport. It was a major transport artery
in times gone by, which led to the rise to prosperity of
water towns like Wuzhen. After taking some time to walk
along the alleys and byways of Wuzhen, we�ll take a boat
cruise through the town�s canals. On the wooden boat you can
enjoy the atmosphere of the traditional cultures and the
original ancient features of the town that have been
preserved intact, the elegant watery views and the strong
local colored traditions and customs.
We will tour the city by boat, stopping to explore some of
the landmarks along the way. One such landmark we�ll tour is
the former home of author Mao Dun. Mao Dun is a revered
writer in modern China, best known for the novel Midnight.
His former home is located in the middle part of Guan Qian
Street, where he lived his happy childhood. The home is a
traditional Chinese style house built during the Qing
Dynasty. Other places of interest that we�ll stop at are the
Hundred-Beds-House, the Blue Prints Workshop, the Wood
Carving Showroom, and the Pawn House.
Around 1PM we�ll stop to have lunch at a local restaurant.
We recommend that you try the famous local dish, Steamed
Pork Slices with Glutinous Rice Flour Wrapped in Lotus
Leaves. After a few more hours touring Wuzhen by boat we�ll
drive back to Hangzhou, and you�ll be dropped off at your
hotel at no later than 5PM.
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