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。

同里，位于江苏省吴江市，距苏州仅18千米，因环境优美而成为官宦退居、富绅养老之地。自宋代以来，文化兴盛，这里出了状元一人、进士四十二人、文武举人九十三人。同里是江南典型的恬静幽雅居住型水乡市镇，留有明清两代宅园三十多处，有著名的私家花园退思园，以及富户住宅崇本堂、嘉荫堂、耕乐堂等。

古镇被同里湖、叶泽湖等五湖环抱，十多条河流将全镇分割成十五个圩岛，又由四十九座风格迥异的古桥相连。民间素有“水乡同里五湖包，东西南北处处桥”之说。这些石桥也是古镇文化的缩影，桥上刻有楹联，写景抒情富有诗意。镇中长庆、吉利、太平三座小桥，跨于三河交汇处。同里人有“走三桥”的习俗：每逢婚嫁喜庆，花轿必定要绕行三桥；老人祝寿，也要儿孙搀扶走过三桥以图吉利、太平。退思园被誉为贴水园，因其廊舫堂榭均紧贴水面，小桥栏杆，如浮水上，小巧精致，淡雅秀美。此处经典的江南园林已被列为世界文化遗产。

小镇上民居连绵，街巷幽长，河沿小路，树竹掩映，水道弯弯，小船悠悠。老宅旁老人闲坐品茗，水埠上姑嫂浣洗笑语，融会成一首水乡柔情的诗章。

主要景点：退思园、“三桥”、崇本堂、嘉荫堂、耕乐堂、珍珠塔景点群、陈去病故居、丽则女校与国耻纪念碑、历史文物陈列馆、罗星洲。

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, Tongli, Zhouzhuang and Luzhi in Jiangsu Province and Nanxun, Wuzhen and Xitang in Zhejiang 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.

Situated only 18 km from Suzhou City, Tongli, Jiangsu is well known for its elegant environment, which attracted many retired officials and rich gentlemen as a fine residential resort. After the 10^t^h century, it nurtured numerous scholars, including 1 zhuangyuan, 42 jinshi and 93 literary and martial juren. As a water town suitable for secluded and elegant residence typical in South China, it boasts 30-odd mansions dating back to Ming and Qing Dynasties, the noted among which are Tuisi Garden, Chongben Hall, Jiayin Hall and Gengle Hall.

The ancient town is surrounded by five lakes, like Tongli Lake and Yeze Lake and divided into 15 islets by a dozen rivers, which are then linked into the township by 49 ancient bridges in diverse styles. The stone bridges are representative of the town culture, with poetic couplets inscribed on them. The Three Bridges, namely Changqing(or long celebration), Jili(or luck)and Taiping(or peace), sharing a river fork, connect themselves in a ring this is where wedding processions with their bridal sedan chairs must cross and lod folks celebrating their birthdays must walk across, as these bridges have auspicious names. Tuisi Garden is a typical water garden, with its verandas, terraces, pavilions and boat on rivers, not to mention bridge. This graceful garden has been included as a World Cultural Heritage.

Thc houses of local people are close to each other, so that the streets are long along the rivers. Trees cover the meandering river courses, on which boats can take us anywhere. Both old folks sipping tea beside the old houses and ladies washing their clothes on riverbanks contribute to this tender ensemble of a famous water town.

Major places of interest: Tuisi Garden, the Three Bridges, Chongben Hall, Jiayin Hall, Gengle Hall, Pearl Pagoda Scenic Area, Former Home of Chen Qubing, Lize Girl’s School and National Humiliation Monument, Museum of Historical Relic, Luoxing Islet.