Building bridges

Crisscrossing waterways are now the biggest draw for visitors to Wuzhen, Zhejiang province. Visitors stroll along the banks or hop aboard boats to take in the views. [Photo by Shi Kuihua/For China Daily]

Ferries stop near the bridge, and couples take photos in front of it.

"Each bridge marks a perspective of people's lives in Wuzhen in olden times," Zhou says.

A teahouse called Fangluge near Yinjia bridge was where merchants drank tea and decided on the prices of goods like rice.

A shop made red and white candles for weddings and funerals near Nanchang bridge.

To the south of Gongqiao bridge, a shop sold wooden containers for daily use, and a malt-sugar store stood to its north.

In the past, local residents painted and made wood cravings.

South of Jiyuan bridge were several picture-mounting shops.

South of Dengying bridge was a carving workshop.

There were more bridges linking financial and entertainment institutions.

"Bridges are vital to Wuzhen. They are witness to our history," Zhou says.