Day 356: I’m In with the “In” Crowd

Shanghai – Wuzhen – Shanghai, China

I kept wondering if I had made a mistake choosing to visit Wuzhen. It’s  mad crowded and hardly enjoyable.

Wuzhen is one of the many traditional water villages neighbouring Shanghai. Imagine Venice but Chinese styled. The amount of crowd that I saw in Wuzhen was comparable to the amount during my trip to Venice last year. The heat and humidity and my agitation was reminiscent of it as well.

I assumed these water villages must be extremely photogenic in spring, autumn and winter. Not so much during summer when one has to fight the weather the summer crowd.

My host in Xinhui, Wailong, had suggested that I go to another water village Xitang, saying that it’s less packed. I should have heeded the advice. Wuzhen is more popular since it also has some important figure associated with it as its claim-to-fame. But for foreigner like me, this figure probably won’t ring a bell nor will it leave any major impression.

So, if you’re to check out a water village for photography purpose, avoid Wuzhen in the summer :]