Zhouzhuang Water Town

周庄

“China's Foremost Water Town,” with the 900-year-old Double Bridges, Shen Hall and Zhang Hall. Boats glide along canals beneath small bridges, making Zhouzhuang the byword for Jiangnan water towns.

Zhouzhuang lies in the southwest of Kunshan City, about 40 km from Suzhou city proper and 60 km from Shanghai. The town is surrounded by water, and its canals form a grid pattern with 14 ancient bridges. More than 60% of its dwellings are still Ming and Qing buildings. In 1984, Chen Yifei's oil painting “Memories of My Hometown” made the Double Bridges famous worldwide, and the town became known as “China's Foremost Water Town.” Highlights include the Double Bridges (Shide Bridge and Yong'an Bridge, one running horizontal and one vertical, like an ancient key). Shen Hall is the residence of the descendants of Shen Wansan, the richest man in Jiangnan during the Qing dynasty. It has seven courtyards and five gateways, showing the layout of Jiangnan's great mansions. Zhang Hall is a Ming-dynasty building, where the saying goes, “the sedan chair enters from the front, the boat passes through the house.” Fu'an Bridge combines a bridge with a pavilion. Other sites include Quanfu Temple, Chengxu Taoist Temple, the Autumn Moon Garden on Nanhu Lake and the Zhouzhuang Museum. A boat ride (about 150 yuan per boat for six people) to see the town from the water is a must. In the evening, the live show “Four Seasons of Zhouzhuang” and night lighting are on. Admission is 100 yuan, which covers the halls and museums in town. The night-tour ticket costs about 80 yuan. Book through the official WeChat account. Staying overnight in a guesthouse in town allows multiple entries. Getting there: direct buses run from Suzhou North or South Bus Station (about 1.5 hours). You can also take a shared or private car from Shanghai Hongqiao or Suzhou. From Suzhou South Station, transfer to a Kunshan bus. Plan a full day: arrive before 9 am to avoid tour groups, explore the halls and alleys, have lunch at Wansan Pork Knuckle or Granny's Greens, take a boat ride in the afternoon, watch the sunset from Nanhu Lake in the evening, and consider staying overnight to see the deserted town at dawn. Note: the town is heavily commercialized and packed on holidays, so a weekday visit or an overnight stay gives a better experience. Tongli, Luzhi and Jinxi are quieter alternatives.

Zhouzhuang Water Town

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