Zhouzhuang

**Zhouzhuang Travel Guide: A Poetic Journey to the Watertown of Jiangnan** **I. Overview** Zhouzhuang is located in Kunshan, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. Known as the "No. 1 Water Town in China," it has a history of over 900 years. It has well-preserved ancient architectural complexes and the water town layout from the Ming and Qing dynasties, and is an epitome of Jiangnan culture. --- **II. Must-Visit Attractions** 1. **Double Bridge (Key Bridge)** - Consists of the Shide Bridge (arch bridge) and the Yong'an Bridge (beam bridge), shaped like a key. It is world-renowned because of the painter Chen Yifei's "Memory of Hometown." - **Photo Tips**: Fewer people in the early morning or evening. A black-awning boat by the bridge as a background makes for better photos. 2. **Shen Ting (Former Residence of Shen Wan San)** - Built by the descendants of Shen Wan San, a wealthy man in Jiangnan. It has a seven-inlet five-door building. The brick-carved gatehouse "Ji Hou Liu Guang" is the essence, displaying the Shen family's business history and Ming and Qing home culture. - **Highlights**: Songmao Hall, Wansan Pork Knuckle production display. 3. **Zhang Ting** - An official residence in the Ming Dynasty, known for "the sedan chair enters from the front door, and the boat passes through the house." The backyard "Zhu Jing" runs through the house, showing the wisdom of the water town architecture. 4. **Quanfu Temple** - A waterfront Buddhist temple built in the Song Dynasty. The five-inlet temple combines with the garden, allowing you to feel the Zen in the morning bell and evening drum. 5. **Mí Lou (The Maze Building)** - Originally a restaurant, Nanshe poets such as Liu Yazi used to create here. It is now the Nanshe Culture Memorial Hall, displaying precious manuscripts. --- **III. Cultural Experience** - **Handicrafts**: Experience Su embroidery and bamboo weaving in Zhenfeng Street, and watch the skills of the inheritors of intangible cultural heritage on site. - **Opera**: Kunqu Opera "The Peony Pavilion" and Suzhou Pingtan are performed daily on the ancient stage, mostly at 10:00/14:00. - **Festivals**: - **Dragon Boat Festival**: Dragon boat races on the water, with gongs and drums in the ancient town's river. - **Mid-Autumn Festival**: Flickering lights, river lanterns are set off to pray for blessings. - **Water Town Wedding**: There are often live performances on weekends or holidays, showing customs such as "shaking a fast boat" and "worshiping the hall." --- **IV. Zhouzhuang Cuisine** **V. Practical Guide** - **Tickets**: CNY 88 (discount for online purchase), including 15 attractions, valid for three days. - **Transportation**: - **Self-driving**: 1.5 hrs from Shanghai, 40 mins from Suzhou, parking lot CNY 20/day. - **Bus**: Take a direct bus from Suzhou Railway Station (about 1.5 hours), and there is a tourist line at Kunshan South Station. - **Accommodation**: - **In the ancient town**: Boutique homestays such as Huajiantang and Zhenfengxuan allow you to enjoy the quiet water lanes at night. - **Outside the scenic area**: Zhouzhuang Chunlu Zhi Si Resort Hotel, with modern facilities. - **Best season**: March-May (peach blossoms and warm water), September-November (autumn is high and crisp), avoid the plum rain (June-July). - **Boat ride**: Ancient town cruise is CNY 220/boat (6 people), 30 minutes, the boatman sings Wu songs while shaking the scull. --- **VI. Surrounding Attractions** - **Tongli Ancient Town** (30km): Tuisi Garden, Pearl Tower, experience the "Oriental Little Venice." - **Jinxi Ancient Town** (15km): A niche and quiet place, the Ancient Lotus Bridge and museum complex are worth a visit. - **Qiandeng Ancient Town** (25km): Gu Yanwu's former residence, listen to the original ecological performance of the birthplace of Kunqu Opera. --- **VII. Travel Tips** - **Travel off-peak**: There are more tourists on weekends, it is recommended to arrive on a working day or before 8 am. - **Night tour highlights**: Free admission after 19:00, but the attractions are closed, suitable for enjoying the night view and boating. - **Dress suggestion**: Wear Hanfu or plain-colored dresses, which are more integrated with the background of white walls and black tiles. Zhouzhuang is like a long ink painting. Slow down and feel the thousand-year-old poetry of "When you arrive in Gusu, you will see that people live by the river" in the stone alleyways and the sound of oars and lights.