Luzhi is considered the first water town in China and its history goes back to more than 1400 years.
I think I haven’t told you but a few years ago I went to Shanghai as part of a program sponsored by my graduate school. A visit to Suzhou was included in the trip. Suzhou was great and we had a magnificent time. I will tell you about that experience another time because today I want to inform you about the little surprise I got the day I visited Suzhou.
The highlight of the day was a visit to Luzhi Town. I bet you have never heard about this town. Me neither (before going).
See, Luzhi is a water town. Ok, it is more than that. It is considered the first water town in China and its history goes back to more than 1400 years. I was like: “What? A water town in China?”. Believe it or not, there are a lot of water towns close to Shanghai. They can be visited as day trips. So, sorry Venice but you are not that original as I thought.
Seriously, I was blown away by the beauty of Luzhi. This is probably one of my favorite aspects of travel. You just don’t know what you are going to find.
When you think you have read everything, when you think you are an expert in geography and history when you are sure about your travel expertise, bam, bam, bam, you hit your face with a glass door, something as beautiful and hidden as Luzhi appears in front of your eyes.
Colurful Trees in Luzhi Water Town
Today, I have the pleasure of showing you this treasure. Come with me. Let’s walk through the streets and canals of this old lady.
That is me welcoming you to Luzhi
Luzhi is located about 14 miles (25 km) from Suzhou. The ancient name of the town is Puli. It consisted of two districts: Puli and Liuzhi. Liuzhi referred to the fact that 6 rivers passed thru the town. With time the name Liuzhi was pronounced as Luzhi and the name was changed later due to this fact.
Houses and canal in Luzhi Water Town
The town is small (about 1 km squared). The best way (and maybe the only way) to appreciate the surroundings is on foot. Walk and walk until you have covered the whole town. Your eyes are not going to grow tired of so much beauty.
The town is full of peaceful canals, old stone bridges, and big trees providing shade to pedestrians. But this is a real town. It is fascinating to see all its inhabitants performing their usual tasks. People selling food, kids playing around, and dogs waiting for some scraps. It is the people who have fought hard to keep the history, culture, and landscape of their town.
House Details
If you go, you are going to notice the abundance of bridges. The stone bridges were built during the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. Therefore, there is a great opportunity to observe bridges with different designs and styles.
Old Stone Bridge
Paddling close to bridges
Of all the bridges, two stand out. The Zhengyang Bridge is the biggest stone bridge in town and the Dongmei Bridge which is a totally circular bridge. Half of the bridge is underwater and the other half is over the water. That is so cool.
Me posing over a bridge
You can also visit the Baosheng Temple. It was built in 503 and it contains nine clay arhats that were sculpted in the Tang dynasty. Arhat, in Buddhism, signifies a spiritual practitioner who has realized certain high stages of attainment. These arhats are unique in the whole country. The temple contains additional treasures from other dynasties.
Baosheng Temple
There is also an opportunity to visit Xiao House. Here you can observe the typical way of living of a rich Chinese family during the 19th century. You can observe the dining room, the kitchen, the living room, and the patios. There are also exhibitions on how the people dressed in those times.
View from Xiao House
However, the genuine scenes or real sights are Luzhi’s canals and streets. There is where the masterpiece lays. To be able to do that is worth the trip.
Canal
View of houses and canal
Lady taking water from canal
There are other water towns close to Shanghai. For example, you can visit Tongli, Zhujiajiao, Xitang, Wuzhen, or Zhouzhuang. I haven’t been to those towns but I am sure they are impressive. It is possible to reach these towns by bus from Shanghai or Suzhou. Private companies offer day tours.
Shops, restaurants and canals
One day I would like to return to the area to explore more. For now, I will be dreaming of Luzhi for a long time.
House Details
What do you think about Luzhi? Have you visited a similar place?
Jessica says
The picture with the trees…just, wow! Thanks for sharing.
Ruth says
I didn’t even remeber I had that photo. Plus, I took those pictures with a Sony point and shoot. I am surprided they came out so good. Not that I am a pro, of course. I have a better camera now.
jamie - cloud people adventures says
didnt know about any chinese water town either! looks like it would make a great movie-set. great photos too, love the colours in the trees.
Ruth says
You are right. Its so amazing you can’t believe its real. I would like to go to the bigger towns. Sometimes, we just want to hit the big cities and forget about places like this.
david says
Nice photos of the canals Ruth! I’ve never heard of that town before, and it’s so picturesque! Now I want to go! Thanks for exposing us to it.
Ruth says
Yeah, I saw that there are tours which include varios water towns around Shanghai. Would like to go a week to go to Suzhou, Hangzhou and the water towns. And of course, go back to Shanghai.
Sonja says
That is truly as stunning and charming as any European village. Who knew? Besides the Great Wall, Luzhi is now another reason I just may decide to visit China one day!
Ruth says
Ha, ha!! China is so big and full of nice places. It would take a lifetime to see everything. At least, we can dream about it.
Wanderluster says
It’s gorgeous! I will have to add this to my bucket list.
Ruth says
Great !!! One moreplace to cross off.
Raymond says
503? There’s still stuff around that was built in 503? Yikes. Very cool!
Ruth says
Yes, it is really old but well preserved. There are tons of other ruins older than 503. I don’t know if they are well preserved but at least they are standing.
Dominique says
I love bridges, and I love the variety of the bridges you’ve share here.
Ruth says
They are so different, right? Specially, the one that is a total circle!!!!
Michael Figueiredo says
Wow! So beautiful! I’ve never heard of Luzhi before….it’s great to discover a new place 🙂
Ruth says
Yes, it is great to discover new places. I even got surprised when I am looking thru my files and remember where I have been.
Ayngelina says
I can see why you love it so much, it really is beautiful.
Ruth says
You are right, it is really nice. Glad to see you liked it.
adventureswithben says
What a great village! It reminded me of Europe at first.
Ruth says
It is true it looks like an European village at first. I love to discover charming towns.
Wifey of a Roadie says
Really enjoyed this. China really wasn’t at the top of my travel list but this place is a must see!
Ruth says
I think China has more to offer than we can imagine. It is similar in size to the the United States. So imagine all the things you can find there.
Norbert says
This is such a pretty and peaceful town. It’s so beautiful! No wonder you love it so much!
Ruth says
Really cool indeed.
Tara Bradford says
Wow, my stepdaughter was at that town a few years ago and took similar photos of the same spots shown here! I posted some on my blog Paris Parfait back then. Lovely!
Lisa says
I love this post. I never knew that China had towns with canals. I love the Asian charm of the canal views.