Zhouzhuang 周庄

2007.09.02

Zhouzhuang (周庄), also called the Venice of China, is located in Jiangsu province, about 50 km West of Shanghai, and is China's oldest water town. It is set on the Jinghang Canal, which links Suzhou and Shanghai, and was once a flourishing port, specializing in silk, pottery, and grain. In most recent centuries, attracted scholars and officials who built fine bridges and houses between the Yuan and the Quing ears. Zhouzhuang become ultimately the place where painters were coming to draw its beauty.
One of those paintings, one in particular, made in the 1980s this little water town know to the world…

Next to Zhouzhang’s famous Twin Bridge is a rock with this very inscription:

" Chen Yifei and the Twin Bridge

The Twin Bridge. Consisting of Yong’an Bridge and Shide Bridge, is one of the historical monuments and cultural relics listed under the protection of Jiangsu Province. Built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty (1573 – 1619). It is also called the Key Bridge, as one is square and the other is round, just like and ancient Chinese key.
In 1984, Chen Yifei (1946 – 2005), a famous Chinese artist residing in the U.S.A., created a painting, “Memories of Hometown – the Twin Bridge”. The paint was bought by Dr. Armond Hammer, an American oil tycoon, and later presented to the Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping. In 1985, the painting was used on a first day cover issued by the United Nations. From then on the Twin Bridge becomes a symbol of beauty as well as a historical and cultural carrier of water bound towns in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Makes itself known to more and more people in the world.
Mr. Chen Yifei passed away on April 10.2005. to our great sorrow. This monument is erected just in memory of his special contributions to Zhouzhuang.

The People’s Government of Zhouzhuang Town
May 18, 2005 "

Fonts and in-depths:
Eyewitness Travel, Wikitravel, peopledaily.

love this set .. such a mood to it .. :) love the first one .. really really nice ... saved the first one:)

????? · 2007-09-02: 23:25

Awesome captures!!! : )

Iriss · 2007-09-02: 23:28

Amazing ART! Kudos!!!! Great work !

mmoleyar · 2007-09-02: 23:41

wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that's a really beautiful and peaceful village!!!!!!!!! I'd like to go there!!

daidailu520 · 2007-09-02: 23:47

woooo... hohohoho.. I've been to there once. Very great place but crowdy. What time you took these pics... seems so quiet not really like Zhouzhang.

garysktam · 2007-09-03: 00:26

Beautiful work. I like the tones of these.

vollenda · 2007-09-03: 00:29

Great pictures and comment.

noptek · 2007-09-03: 01:13

awesome! BW always great!

millapiim · 2007-09-03: 01:53

Wow! The first one is amazing, peaceful

????? · 2007-09-03: 02:11

Geat Job ! Ur pic never let us down~~ Like it.. Thanks for sharing. By the way , have u been to shuzhou or zhangzhou (zhou zhuang nearby)? There has the most chinese southern style bridge, u probably can shoot a female figure viewed from behind or side view who hold a chinese typical umbrella ,wear the traditional chinese skirt which called Qipao on the middle of bridge , wow .....

????? · 2007-09-03: 02:13

Wow very beautiful pictures:))

KC727 · 2007-09-03: 03:40