When you visit Suzhou, don't miss Zhouzhuang, one of China's most famous water towns! ✨

#NovemberDestinations2025 I saw many posts online complaining about Zhouzhuang being crowded, having entrance fees, being overly commercialized, and far from the city center. After reading them, I hesitated about going, but then I thought, as a national 5A-level scenic area and known as China's No. 1 water town, there must be a reason. A taxi ride from Shiquan Street cost about 80 yuan and took nearly 50 minutes. Once inside, I realized that the time and transportation costs were well worth it! 👍👍 A short walk from the entrance, you'll find beautiful waterways and stone bridges. We arrived around 3 pm on a weekday, and there weren't many tourists, making for a very pleasant stroll. The area is very well preserved; everywhere you look are houses with white walls, black tiles, and horse-head gables. It doesn't feel commercialized at all. Whether strolling along the stone paths beside the waterways or taking a small boat slowly under ancient bridges, you can feel the tranquility and poetic charm of this water town. This water town is beautifully planned, with waterways arranged in a grid pattern. Every household has its own private dock, and one wealthy family's dock is even located within their enormous estate—truly extravagant! Those interested in seeing the former residence of this wealthy family can visit "Zhang Hall." Additionally, those interested in the story of the legendary wealthy merchant "Shen Wansan," who spearheaded the development of this water town, can visit "Shen Hall." There are 14 ancient bridges here, dating back to the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Among them, "Fu'an Bridge" and "Shuang Bridge" are particularly famous. During our visit, we didn't deliberately seek out these bridges; we simply strolled around, and everywhere was beautiful. Every bridge we passed made us want to stop and take photos. If you're interested in water towns and ancient villages, you absolutely must come! Opening Hours: January 1st - August 21st, 8:00-17:00 August 22nd - December 31st, 8:00-21:00 (Zhang Hall and Shen Hall open until 17:00) Tickets: Weekdays 50 RMB Weekends & Public Holidays 100 RMB Tips: 1. After getting off the bus, walk straight for a few minutes to reach the park's ticket gate. There are many restaurants on both sides, where you can find the famous "Wan San's Trotter". 2. Zhouzhuang has a different kind of beauty when it's lit up at night. Those interested can stay until evening or stay at a guesthouse within the park. #Suzhou #China'sNumberOneWaterTown #Zhouzhuang