About 25 kilometers east of Suzhou, Luzhi is an age-old but extremely beautiful water town with a history of more than 1400 years. Covering just one square kilometer, it has been awarded the great name of "the first water town in China".
The water town features old stone bridges, limpid water, venerable maidenhair trees and old-style dwellings, as well as the traditional women's costumes, creating an ideal 'civilized, rich, pastoral and harmonious' environment.
Each year, it draws tourists from all over the world. In addition, Luzhi town is noted for several historical and cultural relics, such as Baosheng temple, the Wansheng Rice Company and the White Lotus Flower Temple of the North Song Dynasty.
Bridges: The town's most notable features are its numerous quaint stone bridges, which were built in the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. Owing to that, Luzhi deserves its reputation as a 'Museum of Chinese Ancient Bridges.' At one time, there were 72 bridges in the tiny town; 41 still exist and are well preserved. All of the bridges are different in design and style, but two are considered especially noteworthy.
Another feature of the town is the distinctive traditional costume worn by the women. Both clothes and trousers are characteristically pieced together using different cotton materials in a variety of designs. In addition to wearing these interesting clothes, local women are accustomed to wearing colorful kerchiefs and embroidered shoes. Undoubtedly, these lovely local women wearing traditional Luzhi-style costumes add freshness and loveliness to the water town, like a beautiful landscape picture.
Luzhi is truly a peaceful and pristine land. Beautiful water, elegant stone bridges, and lovely women will take you into a fascinating world - one which you may enjoy so much that you forget to go home.
