Dreams of a Water Town in the Sound of Oars

A Day Trip to Zhouzhuang: Dreams of a Water Town in the Sound of Oars At 7 AM, with the morning mist still lingering, I'm standing on the stone bridge in Zhouzhuang. As "China's First Water Town" awakens, gray tiles and white walls reflect the pale blue sky, while the river sparkles with gentle light. Occasional boatwomen paddle their boats early, their wooden oars creating ripples on the water's surface—at this moment, Zhouzhuang, not yet filled with tourists, is as serene as a fresh ink painting. Morning | Twin Bridges and Shen House: Stepping into Ming-Qing Dynasty Prosperity Entering the ancient town from Zhenfeng Cultural Street, the first stop is the Twin Bridges featured in Chen Yifei's paintings. Two stone bridges intersect horizontally and vertically, forming a key shape, hence locals call it the "Key Bridge." From the bridgehead, weathered pink walls, blue-printed cloth hanging to dry, and riverside teahouses create the most classic Jiangnan scene. Turning into Shen House, the Ming Dynasty mansion of wealthy merchant Shen Wansan, seven courtyards hold the secrets of water town prosperity. The "Songmao Hall" plaque in the main hall was inscribed by a late Qing Dynasty scholar, while the carved window lattices of the "Horse-Running Tower" in the back courtyard showcase exquisite craftsmanship. Most interesting is the model of "Wansan Pork Knuckle" in the kitchen—the glossy, soy-braised pork knuckle remains Zhouzhuang's signature dish. Noon | Wansan Pork Knuckle and Grandma's Tea Order an authentic Wansan Pork Knuckle at "Shen House Restaurant"—tender braised pork with a perfect balance of sweet and savory, paired with a bowl of watershield and silverfish soup, accompanied by a glass of local "October White" yellow wine. After lunch, slip into an old teahouse in the alley for a 5-yuan bowl of Grandma's tea, with dried orange peel floating in crude ceramic bowls, while local tea drinkers chat in Wu dialect—though half-understood, it feels particularly intimate. Afternoon | Mi Tower and South Lake Autumn Moon Stroll along Middle Market Street in the afternoon, see the unique water town scene of "sedan chairs entering the front door, boats passing through the house" at Zhang House, then visit Mi Tower—this small teahouse was once a gathering place for literati like Liu Yazi. From the second-floor window, you can see the network of waterways with black-awning boats weaving through. When tired, rent a rowing boat for 220 yuan. The boatwoman, wearing a blue headscarf, hums tunes while passing under Fu'an Bridge, where the stone-carved lions have weathered faces. As the boat reaches South Lake, the water opens up, with Quanfu Temple reflected in the water, evoking the atmosphere of "four hundred and eighty temples of the Southern Dynasties." Evening | The Meeting of Dusk and Night Lights Before sunset, climb to the second floor of Zhouzhuang Museum to watch the setting sun gild the entire town. When lanterns light up, Zhouzhuang transforms—red lanterns hang under eaves, their light scattered in the water, while the sounds of taverns spill through carved wooden windows. Don't miss the "Paper King" Creative Park during the night tour, where paper trains, bridges, and even dining tables look like fairy tales under the lights. Take home a box of "Wansan Cake" as a souvenir, with its sesame and mint fragrance—a taste memory of the water town. This day in Zhouzhuang is like a thousand-year-old dream come alive. As night boats glide through water alleys, with oar sounds breaking the lantern reflections, you suddenly understand why scholars always said—"Above there is heaven, below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou, and in between there is Zhouzhuang."