Water Towns of the Yangtze River in China

Author: Ruan Yisan; Fei Yuyin;
Language: English
Publication Date: 11/2009
ISBN: 9787532265053
Publisher: Shanghai People's Fine Arts Publishing House
Details
Southern China refers to the southern areas of the Yangztze River in general including southern JiangsuProvince and northern Zhejiang Province and locates in subtropical zone.The Yangtze River and Taihualluvial Plain systems are flourishing.The mild and moist climate nourishes plentiful products.After the5t1I century A.D.，the canal and manual rivers and channels were cut，which helped develop the water traffic，which in turn caused the form of numerous richly-endowed water towns.For thousands of years，everyhousehold was adjacent to water with boats went through it，which forms the unique spectacles and featuresof"small bridge，flowing water and household"。With the prosperous economy，stable life and developedculture，people here always attached great importance to education which helped produce many culturalcelebrities and various literatures and works of art bearing rich cultural customs with local characteristics.Every water town in southern areas of the Yangtze River has its own economic traits，and the neighbouringtowns are separate in their economies.In the past，they possess their own handcraft industries and commodityspecialties.some of which last till now.The water towns are constructed in concert with water.there fore thewater and street lanes are main passages of livelihood and transportation. Houses are intentionally built nearwater with the street in front and the fiver at the back.The water corridor, water house，water pavilion，waterbuilding and small bridge constitute the distinctive living environment where people and nature are stayingharmoniously together.
Because of the differences in the geographical environment and social economic function，every ancient town took on different looks and connotations through the long evolution of history，which reveal the rich and profound traditional characteristics of the ancient water towns in southern areas of the Yangtze River，Between the 13th and 19th centuries.the ancient towns flourished for a time and the total number of townsreached hundreds.Since the 1980s，with the rapid development of society and economy in China，most of theancient towns had industrial construction.started land traffic and built modern construction and facilities.Theoriginal network of rivers and traditional settlements is scraped，so the original features of the ancient water towns disappeared gradually.In the mid-1980s，we timely and properly took measures to protect and plan forthe ancient towns near Suzhou such as Zhouzhuang，Tongli，Luzhi and those of Nanxun，Jiaxing，Wuzhen，Xitang in Huzhou.At the beginning of the 90s，Zhujiajiao and Xinchang in Shanghai，Anchang，Longmenand Qiantong in Zhejiang as well as Mudu in Suzhou also received planning and guide.Therefore，theoriginal features of the ancient water towns are kept completely and the tourist industry is properly developed.Luckily,a very precious historical heritage is kept for people.