Wuzhen and Shanghai Travel Guide

Both Wuzhen and Shanghai are cities in the Jiangnan region. The Jiangnan charm is more obvious in Wuzhen, which still features the traditional style of “small bridges, flowing water, and people’s houses.” Ancient buildings are perfectly preserved, along with various exquisite attractions. Shanghai is even more impressive as a bustling metropolis. Here’s a travel guide to Wuzhen and Shanghai for you.

People on their journey

The lights were bright, and we arrived in Jiaxing City by high-speed rail late at night. We were tired and exhausted when we reached our destination, but luckily there were so many interesting things happening along the way.

As soon as we got off the train, we were met by a swarm of local cab drivers, all vying for our attention. They were very enthusiastic, trying their best to persuade us, three carefree young women, with their promises to get us to our destination. Their determination to convince us was relentless. Unfortunately, our team leader was a strong-willed woman who was dead set against taking their rides. They, therefore, had to abandon their efforts and find other customers.

Evening

Then we met a kind young man who looked like a local. We got in his car and he even recommended a guesthouse that he thought was reliable. But in the end, we decided to choose a place we felt more comfortable with.

We also met an interesting young man from Fujian while waiting for the bus. Let’s just say he appeared a bit anxious on the surface, but his heart was pure. He followed us diligently, like a protective guardian. He probably assumed we were students, so he looked out for us. We stayed at the same guesthouse and then went our separate ways the next day, bidding each other a hurried farewell.

I often think about how travel is such a strange thing. You can meet many like-minded people, as well as those with ulterior motives. The former far outweigh the latter. You get to interact with people who are completely different from those in your own circle, and you choose to trust them. If they were in your life, would you still choose to walk alongside them?

Perhaps it’s because you don’t know each other that well, and instead, their shortcomings are overshadowed by their strengths. Encounters are always beautiful, there’s no time to decipher the person behind the mask. Just look at everything around you with eyes that see beauty, and the world becomes so wonderful.

Journey

This long journey of life is the same. You’ll encounter many people unexpectedly. At every stop, there are meetings and partings. Thankfully, it’s in these fleeting encounters that we cherish each other. The beauty of life lies in its length, allowing us to meet countless people, but sadly, only a handful can truly touch the core of our being. So, cherish every encounter, it’s the best gift you can give to life and yourself.

After all the twists and turns, the three of us finally arrived in Wuzhen, a paradise I had always dreamt of. It’s a classic Jiangnan water town, known as the “land of fish and rice.” Today, I finally get to feast my eyes and refresh my senses.

“Small bridges, flowing water, and people’s houses” – these three words are the hallmark of a typical Jiangnan water town. But when I saw it for the first time, the small bridges were there, the flowing water was there, but what surprised me was the sheer number of houses. They seemed like endless, tightly connected dragon chains. I couldn’t think of any beautiful words to describe their unparalleled vastness.

Regardless, since I was here, I let go of all my preconceptions. I came quietly and left quietly, leaving no trace but the beautiful pictures etched in my heart.

Flowing water, people’s houses

On both sides of the Cuihe River stand small corner towers, built along the water, in various sizes and heights. The willows planted along the path are scattered, swaying gracefully in the gentle breeze. They are like beautiful women in long gowns, dancing in the sunshine.

The unique local delicacies in the shops, sliding from diners’ chopsticks to their expectant stomachs, made me drool even from outside. My heart was itching to try some.

The gray-black, age-worn gondolas glide on the water, expertly steered by the skilled boatmen. The gondolas are not at all clumsy despite their age. A small boat plays with the water, the tourists on board are so beautiful and graceful, with an air of effortless elegance.

The tourists on land, of all shapes and sizes, are crowded together, dwarfed and jostling. They may complain about the large crowds, but their faces are filled with happiness. I am no exception.

The beautiful scenery, delicious food, and lovely people, all lived up to expectations. We each bought a small souvenir, a tangible trace of our visit. We didn’t judge it, just kept the beautiful memories in our hearts, the best way to interpret both for ourselves and the place.

Street Photography



Gondola

We then journeyed to the bustling metropolis of Shanghai, a city steeped in both history and modernity. For Shanghai, it was a brief encounter, leaving behind nothing but regret and yearning. I longed to linger and satisfy my curiosity about it. It’s like a legendary woman with stories to tell, and every aspect of her beauty drew me to her, igniting my longing.

I visited the Bund and saw the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower. She was indeed beautiful, and everyone flocked to catch a glimpse of the lovely little Shanghai girl. It was truly a sea of people, that’s my deepest impression.

The unique Shanghai architecture took my breath away. I wish I could move it back to my hometown of Chongqing, but alas, I could not take away even a single piece of her. I longed to stay the night, just because of the way she unconsciously drew out the longing and ignorance deep within me.

We also had a slight disagreement with our friends. When it was time to leave, there was a hint of resentment and unhappiness. But because of my easygoing nature, my stubbornness, I decided to leave. If it were my usual self, I would definitely stay, without any justification.

But this time, I put aside my usual self. I felt there was something more important to uphold and build. Perhaps it caused a little bit of upset, but in the end, our deep bond resolved the awkwardness. Regardless, the most important thing is to have a joyful journey.

Oriental Pearl Tower

We boarded the green train and swayed for an hour, finally arriving in the beautiful Suzhou and Hangzhou. Time for a relaxing sleep.

We came in a hurry and left in a hurry, leaving no trace behind.

Beautiful Farewell