Water Town and Rapeseed Flowers
A few hours from Shanghai there is a very popular ancient water town called Tongli. It is referred to as the “Venice of the East”. With a history of more than a 1000 years adorned by ancient bridges, residential houses, and gondolas in the canals, it is no wonder this place will remind any traveler of Venice, Italy. Walking around the town you will see the many shops of people selling souvenirs or trinkets along with restaurants and cafes everywhere. This is an ideal place to spend a weekend, just relaxing and taking photos, as the many guesthouses offer sanctuary from the hectic city life in China.
A quick ride from the ancient town is an island with a beautiful temple. Away from all the sounds of the city, this is an ideal place to sit and relax and enjoy the great outdoors (unless there are mobs of tourists which there was not the day I want). The reflections of the temple on the water was magnificent as the colors of all the trees in bloom…
As you head back to Shanghai, you will see fields upon fields of the beautiful rapeseed (crazy name I know) flower as the springtime is the season they are in bloom. No better way to enjoy them than to get out and run around in them…
