Zhouzhuang is a quintessential water town in southern China where streets meandering along waterways are connected by a network of bridges. Hailed as “China’s No. 1 Water Town” and regarded as one of the six most famous ancient towns in regions south of the Yangtze River, Zhouzhuang has earned its place among the first batch of 5A-level tourist attractions in China thanks to its rich and distinctive historical and cultural legacy which showcases the iconic charm of Chinese water towns and the abundant cultural heritages of Wu Culture (cultures at the Taihu Basin).
The town boasts 14 ancient bridges from various dynasties, over 800 local riverbank residences, and 800,000 m2 of architecture traceable to the Ming and Qing dynasties, which combined paint a pastoral picture of a magnificent water town in regions south of the Yangtze River.
In this town, you can immerse yourself in Kunqu Opera and Pingtan (a Chinese folk art of singing and talking), on the ancient opera stage. You can also step into the age-old tea houses and shops along the Zhenfeng Street, where you can engage in traditional folk crafts such as blacksmithing, brickmaking, and brewing, and hear centuries-old stories about Shen Wansan, a legendary figure renowned for his Treasure Basin which helped him generate wealth equivalent to that of an entire nation.
Besides, the town is a great place to experience traditional customs such as packaging rice cakes, burning straw in the fields, carrying flower baskets, and performing traditional Lianxiang dance, a dance performed with a colorful stick. Furthermore, there are special celebrations during the Spring Festival, memorial ceremonies for Shen Wansan on Tomb-sweeping Day, boat racing during the Dragon Boat Festival, moon offerings for the Mid-Autumn Festival, and many other meticulously prepared events during other traditional festivals. As night falls, you can enjoy many unique nighttime activities such as fishing, opera and painting appreciating, weddings, feasting, meditation, moon admiring, and boating.
Ticket: RMB 100 per person
Website: zhouzhuang.net/
Contact: 400-8282-900 (for inquires)
Opening hours: 7:30-21:00 (Please refer to the official Zhouzhuang Tourism website for any seasonal variations in opening hours)
Address: 43 Quanfu Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Kunshan
Transportation: Zhouzhuang is conveniently located between Suzhou, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, and can be easily accessed by visitors from across China and beyond via a well-developed transportation network.
(1) From Nearby Airports
1. Shanghai Hongqiao Airport: Around 45-minute drive
2. Shanghai Pudong International Airport: Around 90-minute drive
3. Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: Around 100-minute drive
4. Wuxi Shuofang Airport: Around 90-minute drive
(2) By Train and Bus
First, arrive at Kunshan South Railway Station via the Beijing-Shanghai High-speed Railway or the Shanghai-Nanjing Railway. From there, take Bus No. 133 to Zhouzhuang Bus Terminal, then transfer to Bus No. 261 to Xinpailou Station, and take a short walk to Zhouzhuang Ancient Town.
(3) By Car
Get off the Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway, the Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway, or the Suzhou-Jiaxing-Hangzhou Expressway at Zhouzhuang exit, and then drive directly to Zhouzhuang Ancient Town.
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