8 extraordinary 'water towns' near Shanghai

[Tripatini]

             
China’s largest city is unquestionably an amazing, fun, and fascinating place to visit – a mix of ancient and cutting-edge culture/architecture, along with fabulous dining, shopping, and entertainment. But on weekends, many Shanghainese love nothing more than to ditch the Big Wonton and head out west into the countryside to reconnect with traditional Chinese culture and history in a handful of charming, historic towns, whose islands and canals make them feel like magical, Far-East versions of Venice. Visitable in one day but ideally for an overnight, many are serviced by public or tourist buses from Shanghai (tourist buses from the Shanghai Sightseeing Bus Center), in addition to all manner of guided tours which can be organized via your hotel or numerous travel agencies/tour operators.

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