Christmas comes to Gubei

The canal-laced water town resembles those south of the Yangtze River but incorporates some northern Chinese elements. Some components like wooden window frames and decorations are authentic and were brought from old buildings in other provinces.

The water town's scenery changes throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy flowers in spring, boat rides and starry nights in summer, red leaves in autumn and snow in winter.

Travelers visit such places as a traditional distillery and dye workshops to learn about old-time industries and to make their own liquor and colorful cloth. They can also buy traditional oilpaper umbrellas, kites and lanterns.

They also visit biaoju－establishments that offered armed security for the transport of valuables over long distances centuries ago.

A traditional academy shows how ancient Chinese were educated.

Guests also enjoy such street foods as roasted sweet potatoes, candied-haw skewers and barbecue. And they may encounter lion dancers or acrobats performing on the streets.

Restaurants serve Cantonese food, Peking duck and beefsteak. Some offer views of the Great Wall. Shutterbugs enjoy snapping photos of sunrises and sunsets over the bulwark.