The Water Towns
To really take a break from the city it’s worth heading to one of the region’s famed water towns, where you’ll find quaint old houses lining tranquil canals spanned by impossibly steep arched stone bridges. Suzhou is the most famous of the water towns but, for a more intimate look at the watery world of this part of the country, seek out one of the smaller settlements that can be easily reached from Shanghai or Suzhou. However, the serene beauty of these towns has not escaped the notice of the rest of the country. Many of these once peaceful havens now charge entrance fees and have become real tourist traps to be avoided on weekends. Zhujiajiao is the closest to Shanghai and, along with stunning Zhouzhuang and its canal mansions, sees the most visitors, with Wuzhen and its cottage industries coming in a close third. Xitang is a little farther afield and consequently draws fewer crowds, while Tongli and its famed Tuisi Garden is best visited by bus or taxi from Suzhou.
You can quite easily head out to any of the towns by yourself, and there is simple accommodation found in many of them (see websites for details), but if you want to visit on a day-trip several agencies in Shanghai run tours, notably Gray Line and the Shanghai Sightseeing Bus Center.
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