China - The Ancient Waterfront Towns in the South of Yangtze River

"2500 years ago, when Suzhou became a city, its surrounding areas sprouted a number of half-urban, half-rural towns such as Tongli, Luzhi, Wuzhen, Nanxun, and Xitang. Since ancient times, by making full use of the natural conditions and geographic environment, residents of these towns accumulated rich experience of how to live with rivers and lakes in a harmonious way. With the growth of economy, culture, and productive forces, a network of towns connected by watercourses came into being in the 11th century. In the 13th century those towns began to thrive:
- Zhouzhuang Town: Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province
- Luzhi Town: Wu County, Jiangsu Province
- Wuzhen Town: Tongxiang City, Zhejiang Province
- Xitang Town: Jiashan County, Zhejiang Province" 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Postcard 1 - Wuzhen
I visited Wuzhen, Zhejiang in October 2010 and bought and mailed this postcard from Wuzhen - a beautiful watertown about 1-2 hour from Shanghai.





Postcard 2 - Xitang
I also visited Xitang, Zhejiang - another amazing watertown about an hour outside Shanghai. Bought and mailed this postcard from Xitang in October 2010.





Postcard 3 - Zhouzhuang
I visited Zhouzhuang which is near Shanghai. Thanks to Huiyi of China.