Huzhou

The train from Jiaxing to the next destination, Huzhou, was only one hour and I passed the time with some reading.

The taxi from the train station to the hotel was only twenty minutes, and that time was spent observing the scenery. Huzhou is dotted with small hills and is situated along Lake Tai, which is the third largest lake in China. The other primary attraction is an impressive Sheraton hotel that is one of the top ten modern architecture designs in China. 

Now, being that this hotel costs USD $500 a night, I did not stay there. Instead, I opted for a room at $50 a night, including breakfast, across the street.

The Sheraton lights up at night, so this was my window view: 

 The next day, after discovering that my included breakfast was not a good match for a western appetite, I went out to explore the lake. There is a very nice Fisherman's Wharf that was bustling with activity. Out floating on the water was a strange mix of giant rubber duckies and traditional Chinese warships, called junks. 

This was a no itinerary vacation, so I made time for a good rest on my second night in Huzhou. Then for the next day, I simply got up and casually explored. I went along one side of the lake for a good hour walk, then returned and thoroughly explored the Sheraton facilities.

Before long, it was time to get back on the train and return to Shanghai. Three days of vacation down, three more to go.