概况

江南水乡主要是指长江下游南面的苏南、浙北一带地区。这里土地肥沃、气候温和、物产丰富，自古就有先民在此聚居，千百年来，逐渐形成了许多村落和乡镇。这些乡镇依河而建，因水成街，因水成市，形成了精巧独特的建筑布局，镇上粉墙黛瓦，小桥流水，老街深巷，洋溢着浓郁的江南乡土气息，构成了一种独特的地域文化景观。因地理人文环境的差异，各镇又各有自己的特色。20世纪80年代以来，中国农村经济迅速发展，大多数历史古镇经历了现代建设的改造，基本失掉了原来的风貌。值得庆幸的是，浙江省的乌镇、南浔、西塘和江苏省的周庄、同里、甪直等古镇得到了及时的保护。近年来，这些古镇又在专家的指导下进行了合理的整治，较完整地保存了原汁原味的历史风貌，成为人类珍贵的文化遗产。

乌镇，隶属于浙江省桐乡市，北邻苏南吴江。历史悠久，有千年古镇之称。这里是古代河运枢纽，明清时期已“烟火万家”，镇上丝绸、布帛、粮食贸易兴盛，商旅繁忙。古镇原先规模宏大，由十字河交汇，沿河建造，分东、西、南、北、中五个集中街市，当地称为“栅”，以西栅和中栅最为繁盛。

乌镇人杰地灵，钟灵毓秀，历史上出了不少文化名人。早在公元500年左右，南朝的昭明太子就跟随老师沈约在此求学。张杨园是明末清初著名的理学家和农学家，鲍廷博是清代著名的藏书家，晚清又出了严辰和夏同善两位进士。这里还是现代文化巨匠茅盾先生的故乡。他以乌镇为背景写了著名小说《林家铺子》、《春蚕》、《秋收》等，是中国文学宝库的经典作品。

近年来，乌镇进行了古镇保护和环境整治。中栅、东栅河沿一带，修旧如故，恢复了原来的历史风貌，老河沿、老石板路、明代的石桥、清代的民居、传统作坊、老式的药铺、高高的当铺、救火的水龙，都是原汁原味的历史原物。徜徉于此，可以追寻茅盾先生笔下的乡土风情。

主要景点：茅盾故居，修真观和古戏台，中栅，东栅河沿岸沿街景色，逢源双桥，访卢阁，阮恒德药店，翰林第，转船湾，桥里桥，西栅街券门洞。

The Canal Towns in Jiangnan Area mainly refer to the old towns which lie at the lower reaches of the Yangtze River in the south of Jiangsu Province and north of Zhejiang Province, and endowed with fertile land, mild climate and rich produce, this area was inhabited by primitive people many thousand years ago. Natural villages and towns have formed along small rivers, comprising exquisitely unique architectural layout. The towns feature white walls and dark tiles, small bridges and streams, old streets and long lanes. Local color constitutes a unique regional cultural landscape. These towns vary in style due to different geographic and cultural environments. Since 1980s, most of the ancient towns have been modernized with the takeoff of China’s rural economy, losing the original framework. Fortunately, , Nanxun and Xitang in Zhejiang Province and Zhouzhuang, Tongli and Luzhi in Jiangsu Province have been timely preserved. In recent years, these old towns have been renovated under the guidance of experts. With original historic features, they are becoming the common heritage of our human race.

in Zhejiang Province has been a pivot of Grand Canal navigation for a thousand years. It was a busy port for silk, cloth and grain trade. The town was built along two crossing rivers, forming 5 street centers.

In were born many celebrities. Early in 500 AD, Crown Prince Zhaoming used to study here. Zhang Yangyuan, a philosopher and agronomist in the 17^t^h century, Bao Tingbo the book collector, Yan Chen and Xia Tongshan all grew up here. This is also the hometown of Mao Dun, a modern literary giants, who wrote his classical Mr. Lin’s Shop, Spring Silkworms and Autumn Harvest against this specific background.

In recent years, there have been countless efforts to preserve the ancient town and restore the environment. The central part and east part of the town have been restored to historical layout, with old riverside, old flagstones, Ming-Dynasty Stone Bridge, Qing-Dynasty folk cottages, traditional workshops, old-style drugstores, high-countered pawnshops, fire hoses, etc. Walking along the streets, you can easily detect local flavors as described by Mao Dun.

Major places of interest: Mao Dun’s Old Residence, Xiuzhen Taoist Temple and Stage, Street Scenes along the River at Zhongzha and Dongzha, Fengyuan Twin Bridge, Fangluge, Ruan Hengde’s Drugstores, Imperial Academician’s Home, Zhuanchuan Bay, Bridge-Within-Bridge and Round Gate at Xishan Street.