Visiting a "Water Town"

Francois Deacon (a colleague of mine from work) suggested that we visit Tongli, a so-called "water-town" just outside of Shanghai while we were in the area.  Unfortunately, tickets on buses were scarce and the famous sex museum was closed and moved to another province.

Zhoujiajiao - A "Water Town" near/in Shanghai

Fortunately, this is not the only "water-town" in ...town.  An interesting Timeout magazine review of the water-towns around Shanghai suggested that Zhoujiajiao gives Tongli a pretty good run for its money and doesn't charge an entry fee (anyone who knows me realises that's enough to prick up my ears).

Kat by the enormous cedar Buddha

When our bus took more than 2 hours in traffic to do what we thought was to be a 45 minute trip, we were wondering what was going on.  Before we recalled the date.  If you Google "when not to travel to China" you will find quite quickly that May 1 is the centre-point of any advice not to travel in China.  Attractions = crowded.  Transportation = crowded.  Don't mess with a Labour Day holiday in China!

Of course, getting there was just part of the story, and once there we were in for a treat.  With lovely (if cramped) canals and tiny streets teeming with people, it was a lesson in patience.  The town was well setup for day-tourists to come and experience the place, riding in boats on the canal, snacking on local delicacies, or playing follow the leader through the side-streets and over the bridges.

We occasionally sought refuge from the crowds in an art shops or a striking exhibit that attempted to tell the world's history through maps, a chocolate and candy factory and an interesting museum that houses a remarkably large cedar Buddha, carved from a single tree and beautiful carvings of our old friends, Tripitaka, Monkey, Pigsy and Sandy.

Tripitaka, Pigsy, Sandy and Monkey

It is interesting to note how much more I see of the story of my childhood Monkey the further we travel from India and Nepal (shouldn't be too surprised I guess as it was a show produced by Japanese).  It is also interesting how the images of, and which Buddha features, obviously changes from one culture to the next as we make our way through the world.

It was a full and busy day, but we really enjoyed it.