The city of Kunshan in Jiangsu province was once known as "a town for fish and rice", but the city now enjoys special touristic resources and a culture of leisure. It has become an attractive destination for leisure seekers, especially those looking to escape their 9-to-5 pressure.

Zhouzhuang

Zhouzhuang, a beautiful water town in Kunshan, is considered a town of leisure. Many traditions are well preserved here, including old teahouses, ancient alleyways and buildings.

Zhouzhuang [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Nothing is better than spending a night at Zhouzhuang, where the scenery is both fascinating and quiet. Beautiful lanterns light ancient bridges, shadows whirl around old alleys, and the fragrance of lotus flowers wafts upward from the water. Enjoying the view with a cup of tea and some music makes for a perfect summer night.

Zhouzhuang also has many high-end inns, such as the Huajiantang boutique hotel. The international youth hotel is well known for lodging young tourists and enables the more outgoing to chat and meet up.

Jinxi

Jinxi, another water town in Kunshan, has a culture and atmosphere that is completely different from that of Zhouzhuang. Jinxi is the hometown of Chinese folk museums, and it is known for its brick-tile architecture and laidback lifestyle.

Residents live a quiet life, and the town seems to be exempt from the passing of time. Open-air seating at local teahouses allows visitors to enjoy the town's pleasant views.

Jinxi [Photo/Asianews Photo]

Dianshan Lake

Dianshan Lake boasts both unique rural scenery and water landscapes. Visitors can rent yachts and sail on the lake's mirror-like surface. They can also ride a bicycle around the lake or play water sports. There is both physical and intellectual enjoyment to be had.

Dianshan Lake [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]