2. How do they relate to the local area?
It is built along the river and above the water, which is convenient for fishers to run their boats and for farmers to grow their water plants. People who lived there will do their laundry and cooking along the river. This geographical advantages support the economy of the area and create a gorgeous scenery of the place, which is called "The Land of Fish and Rice 鱼米之乡"
 

3. Do they have historical significance?
During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, it became a distribution center for its grain, silk, ceramics, and handicrafts, and it became a giant town in the south of the Yangtze River.

4. Are they valued or important for local people/visitors?
This is ranked as the top water town in China. Not only it withhold the heritage of water town and its architectural styles, the culture and atmosphere of water town is also kept and developed to become one of the most popular tourist attractions.

This is a traditional split bamboo plaited roundhouse by the Sidama people of Ethiopia. The dome, with its pointy top, is designed to shed heavy rainfall where a circular dome would have a flat region prone to leaks. Bamboo once played an important role in the rural economies of East Africa but indiscriminate clearing of natural bamboo forests have resulted in losing natural resources and many of the traditional building skills. You can find out more about traditional bamboo construction at The International Network for Bamboo and Rattan.