Architecture along rivers or coastal areas are enjoyable to watch, especially the sparkling reflections from the water surface and the sound
of water ripples, and how the local community live their lives in the water environment. Lifestyle and livelihood has gone through changes overtime under the modern age for commercialism and tourism.
This scene was taken from my visit to one of the famous water towns,
Zhou Zhuang Water Town, during my travels in China. The town itself is
beautiful but what captivated me most is the lifestyle of the locals.
Though the surrounding architecture has been conserved, the locals have
adapted to modern needs. They adopted the “live, work and play” concept.
Within the traditional shophouses, shops and restaurants have also
designed to suit commercialism. Parts of their facades are also
decorated carefully with “lighting” effects for nightscape.
Their way of transport and livelihood is mostly derived from the use of
water. As I listened to
the sound of paddles against the water, I feel that the beauty lies in
the purity and simplicity of their lifestyle, which I hope they will conserve under commercial pressure. Somehow this
reminded me of the importance in protecting our heritage.
