City beat slows down to a bittersweet symphony as we move from the metropolis that is Shanghai into old town Zhou Zhuang for a day trip.
A relaxing stop-over, if only we had the hearts to reject persistent touts so eager to bring us places.
(Below: Shen Ting, if I'm not wrong)
Maybe it's the scale and proportions...
Or maybe it's the textures and colours...
But moving around Zhou Zhuang made me feel both happy and sad at the same time I can almost hear the strings play.
(Above: SL and LY in a courtyard reverie.)
There is something appealing about water towns where networks of rivers and streams add layers to the place, setting man in nature.
Reflections made the place feel virtual and floating while currents, tides and boats made everything dynamic in a quiet sort of way.
Narrow streets too take on its own character, meandering inland not unlike the canals, occasionally opening up to glimpses of the water.
And crossing bridges, over water, were some of my favourite things to do in the water town.
Like I've said, visiting old temples this time round felt less interesting than, say, taking a break in an old town house adaptively reused as a cafe...
I remember we didn't linger around temples long... but gladly watched the tides, sipping ice tea, inside the small town cafes, reviewing pictures we've taken along the way.
This, Cafe Holiday, sported a comfy, modern interior amidst traditional architecture.
Very nice :)
(Below: View from the cafe window.)
Leaving the water town, we drove on to Hangzhou.
