Charming water town wows expats on New Year's Day

A delegation of six expats from four countries of the United Kingdom, Greece, Nepal and Bangladesh participated in a trip on Jan 1 to Zhouzhuang in Kunshan of Suzhou, Jiangsu province, to enjoy the water town scenery and welcome the New Year.

Zhouzhuang has a history of over 900 years and enjoys the reputation of being "China's first water town". It landed on CNN's list of the "Top 10 Most Beautiful Towns in the World" in 2012.

The delegation was greeted with a special New Year atmosphere upon arrival at the ancient town's entrance, where a sacrificial ceremony was being held with offerings being served on the table and incense smoking into the sky as gestures of prayers for blessings during the New Year.

The ancient streets in the town have been decorated with red lanterns to create a strong festive atmosphere and shops are bustling with visitors buying souvenirs and distinctive local handicrafts during this year's holiday season.

Richard Tyr Blewitt from the UK said that he enjoyed this trip and appreciated the town's local culture.

"You've got people showing you how to weave cotton outfits with fabric, and they show you exactly how to do it right there in front of you with their hands," Blewitt said.

He was amazed by the ancient traditions, the God of Fortune story, and the cultural relics in the town.

Shen's House, also known as Shenting, was one typical historical site included in the itinerary of the group. The ancient house was built in 1742 by the descendants of Shen Wansan, who was a successful businessman during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

The delegation prayed for good fortune in front of the sculpture of Shen Wansan, who has been worshiped as the God of Fortune. They also toured the rooms and learned about table manners of ancient noble families.

In recent years, China's first water town Zhouzhuang has been committed to the construction of a delicate ancient town, seeking to create the most beautiful water town as a whole, and offer a unique traveling experience to tourists.

The ancient Zhouzhuang cultural symbols have been well preserved. For example, the sculling boats, which are still being used today, best reflect traditional Jiangnan culture, said Han Yuefang, the tour guide for the group.

She said that Zhouzhuang has been promoting local tourism resources with unique nighttime scenery and popular streets that have been built recently. Light shows, lantern decorations and distinctive performances are among the highlights of touring Zhouzhuang.