Xitang China.

Took those while in Xitang China. Xitang is a little canal village between Shanghai and Hangzhou in Jiangsu province. There are lots of these little canal villages in that area, mainly because theres a vast canal system that was started in 722BC - 481BC (Spring Autumn period), and later became part of the grand canal system that was completed in Sui dynasty (581-618AD). Xitang village is about 1.5 hours drive from Shanghai city center, and is a worthwhile trip for a weekend. The food there is nothing unique, but plenty of variaty, stinky fried tofu being the most worthwhile to try out. The village has been "touristrised", which means plenty of souvirnirs shops and plenty of tour groups, the best way to spend time there is to stay overnight in one of the houses for rent along the canal, waking up nice and early to enjoy the quie tvillage all by yourself, vefore 10AM, when bus loads of toursits arrive. The village can be very enjoyable at night too, with a different atmosphere, you can mingle with the crowd in one of the many bars (damn western bar culture :)), or sit outside of your rented place by the river and enjoy some local moon shine.

The shots taken were mid of the day where bus loads of tourist had already invaded :), with a Leica 35mm Summarit M, and Leica M9-P.

Shipi lane, narrowest laneway in the town, fits 1 person width only, I don't think you can even ride a bike through, a nice court yard at the end of the laneway though.

One of the residence for rent, you get a little patio by the river.

Canal taxi, fun for tourists.

Gondolia