Lit canals
In the evening.
蟋有的蟀 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Zhongxxin — CC BY-SA 4.0 · 蟋有的蟀 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · 蟋有的蟀 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · 蟋有的蟀 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · 蟋有的蟀 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · 蟋有的蟀 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · 蟋有的蟀 — CC BY-SA 3.0
A town on the Grand Canal linking Beijing and Hangzhou, whose trade flourished from 1604, when canal offices and a post station were set up here; it was walled in earth in 1647 and in brick in 1857, and became a meeting point for merchants and boats from north and south. The old town was largely destroyed in the battle of Taierzhuang in 1938, then rebuilt between 2009 and 2013 over two square kilometres in its old style, a maze of stone lanes, small canals and bridges lined with courtyard houses, shops and inns in the old style. It is rated 5A. The town is at its prettiest in the evening, when the canals and buildings are lit and boats glide between the houses. The day ticket costs CNY 160 and includes the evening, an evening ticket alone 100 after 5 pm; the town is open round the clock and its sights from 8 am to 10 pm, per visitor guides.
In the evening.
Between the houses.
Over the canals.
Taierzhuang District, on the Grand Canal, about 30 km south-east of central Zaozhuang, Shandong
Shandong has a Hui Muslim community and Zaozhuang has restaurants under the halal sign, while the old town's restaurants serve dishes that may contain pork, so ask about ingredients.