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.
