江南地区分布着许多历史悠久的水乡。它们都有着共同的特点——河湖交错，水网纵横，小桥流水。最可贵的是，在这些小镇里，时间仿佛停住了。这里没有城市的烦嚣，你可以在石板街上闲庭信步，慢悠悠地品尝佳肴，甚至坐在茶馆里发呆。
江南六大水乡（江苏的周庄、角直、同里以及浙江的西塘、乌镇、南浔）之一的乌镇比较完整地保留了水乡古镇的特色，并因其独特的历史文化韵味吸引着众多游人到访。乌镇自古人才辈出，历代著名人物有编著《昭明文选》的梁昭明太子、《唐宋八大家文抄》编者茅坤、理学家张杨园、文学家茅盾等。本期“环球风情”将带你走进这个“中国最后的枕水人家”。
China's water towns, often 1)referred to as “Venices of the East,” are famous for their ancient buildings, bridges, 2)canals, and ways of life that have not changed in centuries. If you want to escape from the 3)hustle and bustle of your city life, water towns would be the best choice.
中国的水乡常被称为“东方威尼斯”。它们皆以古老的建筑、桥梁、运河和数百年不变的生活方式而闻名。如果你想逃离城市生活的喧嚣纷繁，水乡便是你最好的选择。
Water towns are also perfect destinations for lovers of photography. The photo opportunities are endless. By taking a small water “taxi,” visitors can take a 4)leisurely 5)cruise through these villages, getting a different 6)perspective on them. The gardens in the villages, although not as well known as the villages in Suzhou, are of the same style and no less grand.
水乡也是摄影爱好者的最佳游览地，拍摄机会无穷无尽。只要坐上一艘小小的水上“的士”，游客们就能悠闲地漫游于村庄之间，从不同的角度欣赏美景。村庄里的花园虽没有苏州园林名气大，但其形式并无二致，规模也毫不逊色。
Why take a water town tour? Because life in these water towns seems to have stood still, and visitors can still see the unique traditional folk cultures of Southeastern China. It is easy to fall in love with a place where life still seems traditional and 7)laid-back. If you take the time to visit these water towns, you will be surprised by what you discover.
为什么要游览水乡？因为在这些小镇里，生活静止不变，游客依然能够看到中国江南独有的传统民间文化。人们很容易就会爱上一个生活似乎依然传统悠闲的地方。如果能花点时间去游玩这些水乡小镇，你将会为发现到的一切惊讶无比。
Situated in the north of Zhejiang Province, the beautiful water town of Wuzhen is one of those ancient towns. It is a charming place full of ancient bridges, traditional hotels, 8)boutiques and restaurants all built around an amazing water network that is part of the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal, the longest canal in the world.
乌镇位于浙江省北部，这个美丽的水乡就是众多古镇之一。这个迷人的地方满是古老的桥梁、传统旅店、精致的精品店和饭馆，全都依着一片美丽动人的水网而建。而这片水网便是世界上最长的运河——京杭大运河的一部分。
Over the past thousand years, Wuzhen has not changed its name, water system, or way of life. It is a living museum for an ancient civilization's history, food, and traditions.
在过去的一千年里，乌镇从未改变过它的名字、水系或是生活方式。它是一座活生生的博物馆，记录着一段古老文明的历史、美食和传统。
The buildings of Wuzhen are all a century or more old and built using traditional wood and stone 9)architecture with 10)tile roofs.
乌镇所有的建筑都有上百年历史。它们是传统的木石结构，屋顶被瓦片覆盖。
For centuries the local people of this area have been building their homes and markets along the river's edge. 11)Spacious, beautiful courtyards are hidden by the thousands in between the buildings, providing a delightful discovery at almost every turn.
数百年来，该地区的本地人沿着河边建起了住宅和集市。数以千计宽敞而美丽的庭院藏身于房屋之间，让你几乎每次转弯都有惊喜的发现。
In this ancient town there is plenty to do, or nothing at all if your aim is to relax. The place is quiet, yet also offers wine bars, pottery and glass workshops, theaters, and an open-air film 12)pavilion.
在这座古镇里，可做的事情很多，或者你也可以什么都不做——如果你只想休闲放松的话。这个地方宁静祥和，不过也有酒吧、陶器和玻璃作坊、戏院以及露天电影场。
13)Take in the delightful town from the water on a traditional wood boat, and stay in one of the many 14)luxurious hotels or guest 15)accommodations in 16)residents' homes for a true taste of Chinese village life.
你不妨乘一艘传统的小木舟沿水路游览这座讨人喜欢的小镇；还可以住在某间豪华宾馆或是当地居民的客房里，真实地体验一下中国的水乡生活。