Happy National Day!

Like I mentioned in my last blog, Monday was the beginning of China's national holiday week. I took the opportunity to get out of town as see more of China. My friend Nick set up a little day trip to the town of Wuzhen  

(pronounced like woo jen) for me and a few other people. It started out with a 3 hour bus ride, which really wasn't as bad as it sounded, although I did have to wake up at 5am.  

What make Wuzhen such a tourist destination is that it is an ancient canal city, established in 872 A.D. It's been nicknamed "The Venice of the East". The city is divided down the center by a narrow canal with shops lining one side of the river and homes lining the other. You can rent a wooden that will take you on a short ride up the center canal, like they probably did anciently. There are also several museums, including a bed and wedding museum, the former home  Mao Dun, a renowned modern Chinese revolutionary writer, and a Taoist temple. Despite the enormous crowds it was still a very beautiful and culturally rich place. 

Since I liked it so much, I'll take you on a little tour...

Crowd waiting outside to get in

Boat going under on of the many bridges 

James, Me, Nick, Fan and Que waiting to get on the boat.
We all have complimentary tour hats, helped us find each other in the crowd. 

View of the homes from on the canal

Me on the boat, wearing my new hat.

Local resident on her back porch, washing straight from the canal

More of the boats 

View from our lunch table

This was hanging on the wall at the restaurant, it is a traditional fisherman's outfit.  

Shot of all the people lining the river 

Traditional beds at the bed museum, beautifully hand craved.
Would have loved to taken one home with me. 

Going down the main street on the north side of the canal

The road kept getting narrower and narrower that it literally felt like a river of people. The street was very traditional and beautiful, I would have loved to have seen it when it was empty.

Statues of Taoist deity, I think. 

Three foot tall incense burning at the temple, almost got hit in the face by one
  

Across from the temple they have the Huagu Opera stage, where they have traditional performances
  

Close up of the women performing

Me at the end of the tour

I hope you all enjoyed it!