I took a few photos in the sun down by the river in Xuyi the other day, then yesterday took to the water itself for a look around under gloomy grey skies.

Apparently the Huaihe River was formed about three hundred years ago when the Yellow River took an unexpected turn, wiping out this city which was then called Sizhou. It briefly became known as the ‘Pompei of China’ but there is very little evidence of previous inhabitants as you travel about town.

Off the main branch of the river is series of canals populated by floating homes. I love the solar water heaters attached to the roofs!