TOP-5 Most Beautiful Cities on the Water

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

When we hear the phrase "city on the water", pictures of Venice usually come to our minds. Architecture, rich history, an abundance of romance - all this has turned the Italian city into a pearl of tourism. But there are many other cities in the world, either on the water, or surrounded by the water surface.

Thousands of years ago, Chinese builders built settlements that could only be navigated by boats. In Europe, you can feel the flavor of the Middle Ages by taking a boat ride through the canals of the ancient city of Bruges, and in India, newlyweds do not need to go to the other end of the world for romance - the majestic and ancient city on the lakes of Udaipur has been preserved here.

1) Zhujiajiao, China

"Shanghai Venice" - this is the name of the small and oldest town of Zhujiajiao. The history of the town is 1700 years old. It is built on the shores of Lake Dianshanhu. Throughout the city, wooden bridges stretch across canals, and low-rise white houses with tiled roofs and red doors and windows carved in traditional Chinese style are lined along the river.

There are about 36 such bridges, and each of them is not similar to the other. Some are built of stone and marble, but there are many wooden bridges. Zhujiajiao City is also famous for its large ancient gardens.

Previously, they were the property of the Chinese aristocracy and officials. The largest of the gardens is called Kezhi Garden (or Ma Family Garden). And today in this garden you can hear and see traditional Chinese theatrical performances of Suzhou Pingtan - two performers who sing and masterly play the ancient stringed instruments.

Locals have not changed their usual way of life for thousands of years: as in the old days, they buy food without leaving their homes.

They just need to look out the window and select the desired product from the trade boats passing by.

As in Venice, it has its own gondoliers, so tourists can take a boat tour along the Zhujiajiao canals. Every year, the city hosts the Duan Festival, where locals compete in dragon boat rowing.

2) Udaipur, India

Indian newlyweds love to spend their honeymoon in the unique city of Udaipur. Here are preserved majestic fortresses and palaces, striking in their splendor. Udaipur is a city of lakes and gardens in India. The lakes were created by Maharana Udai Singh II for his new capital.

To do this, he dammed the Berac River after Akbar plundered his former capital in Chittorgarh. Udaipur itself was founded in 1568 after the final conquest of Chittorgarh by Akbar, the Mughal emperor.

This new capital, Mewara, arose in a much less vulnerable spot than Chittorgarh. But Mewar still had to deal with the invasions of the Mughals, and then the Marathas, until the British intervention in the early 19th century. The result was a treaty that protected Udaipur from invaders, allowing the rulers of Mewar to make decisions about internal affairs.

The former royal family has retained its influence and has helped to increase Udaipur's popularity as a tourist destination in recent decades.

Among its main attractions is the Lake Palace. It was built right in the middle of the water surface of Lake Pichola and once served as the summer residence of Indian rulers.

Now the Lake Palace has been converted into a hotel - one of the most luxurious not only in India, but throughout the world. Udaipur is interesting not only for the majestic architecture of ancient buildings that descend directly to the water - there are many parks located around Lake Fateh.

3) Bruges, Belgium

Bruges is the capital of the Belgian province of West Flanders. The historical buildings have been preserved here as well as in Venice. In Bruges, you can go boating along the numerous canals lined with cozy houses from the Middle Ages.

Three large canals run through the city: Ghent, Sluis and Ostend. Their depth allows even sea vessels to pass through. But along the small canals that form small streets in the central part of the city, you can only sail on a small boat.

In total, there are 54 bridges in the city, among which there are drawbridges for the passage of large ships. By the way, in the XIV century Bruges was one of the largest shopping centers in Northern Europe. It is no coincidence that it was in this city that the first exchange was founded in 1406.

It all looks especially charming at night. Nowhere is the spirit of the Middle Ages more felt than here: cobbled streets, Gothic-style temples, continuous water and bridges all around. If you don't see tourists and locals, you might think that you are not in our time.

4) Mescaltitan, Mexico

Mexico also has its own Venice. Mescaltitan is located on an island off the coast of Nayarit State. It is surrounded by the most extensive mangroves in Mexico, between which numerous channels flow.

The city turns into Venice every year in the rainy season - and it comes in August-September. The streets are flooded, and the locals change to canoes. By the way, according to legend, Mescaltitan is located on the site of the ancient city of Aztlan, which was the cradle of the Aztec civilization.

It is believed that from here in 1091 they migrated south, where they later founded Tenochtitlan (modern Mexico City).

5) Fenghuang, China

In the Chinese province of Hunan, there is an incredibly beautiful town called Fenghuang. Each tourist who has visited it is transported for some time to the era of Ancient China. It amazes with its natural beauty and mystery. And most importantly, its ancient architecture is perfectly intertwined with picturesque nature. The town is built on stilts, with narrow, winding streets that converge towards the city center and bridges crossing canals.

It is good to paint in this city, because it is here that the harmony of all Chinese traditions, which are carefully preserved by the local population, is combined. Fenghuang is already 1,300 years old, and despite its age, the city retains its original appearance.

In the mornings or evenings in the river, women wash clothes, wash vegetables and fruits, and men fish. At lunchtime, the city is lively: women with bamboo baskets on their heads are in a hurry, and men are engaged in cattle breeding. The people in the city are very friendly, hardworking and simple-minded. In city shops you can buy a couple of homemade souvenirs to commemorate the identity of the city on the water of Fenghuang.