Wuzhen

Located along the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Wuzhen is located north of the city of Tongxiang in the Zhejiang province. In the past the canal served as the main artery between the south and Beijing and as a result, Wuzhen became a center of great commercial activity . Nowadays, it's mainly a tourist attraction, often invoking comparisons to Venice. Wuzhen is also known for its indigo and white printed fabrics.

At every doorway, there were small garlic-like bulbs hung. I don't know why. Maybe they're trying to keep the vampires away.

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Hangzhou

Described by Marco Polo* in his The Travels of Marco Polo as  paradise and the finest city in the world, Hangzhou has long rich history. From 1138-1279 it served as the capital of the Southern Song dynasty. Even after the conqueroring Mongols moved the capital to Beijing, Hangzhou remained and still is a thriving commercial center. Today, Hangzhou is known as the home of West Lake (Xi Hu), which is largely considered to be one of the scenic wonders of China. It is also well-known for it's Dragon Well tea (Longjing tea).

*Note: The accuracy of Macro Polo's The Travels of Marco Polo is often contested. It's unclear whether Marco Polo ever really visited China, or if he was just embellishing stories he had heard from his father, uncle and other traveling merchants.

 Pavilion overlooking a portion of Xi Hu

 Xi Hu

Tea fields of Longjing Tea

 Longjing Tea

More photos at Angela Photo Musings: http://angelaphotomusings.blogspot.com