ZhouZhuang, known as the "Venice of the East," is one of the most famous water towns in China. Located in Kunshan, Jiangsu province, it is renowned for its well-preserved ancient residential houses, elegant watery views, and profound cultural background. The town has a history of over 900 years and retains the style and pattern of its ancient past, with many houses built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
Attractions
Shuangqiao (Twin Bridges)
Shuangqiao, also known as the Twin Bridges, is the most famous site in ZhouZhuang. The two bridges, Shide Bridge and Yong'an Bridge, are connected at a right angle and have become a symbol of the town.
Fu'an Bridge
Fu'an Bridge, built in 1355, is an architectural gem with a unique combination of a bridge, tower, and pavilion. It offers a picturesque view of the waterways and houses.
Zhang House
The Zhang House, built in the Ming Dynasty, covers an area of over 1,800 square meters. It showcases classic Chinese residential architecture and beautifully decorated interiors.
Shen House
The Shen House, constructed in 1742, is another example of traditional Chinese architecture. It features 100 rooms and a garden, reflecting the life of a wealthy merchant family.
Local Food
ZhouZhuang is not only famous for its scenery but also for its delicious local food. Here are some must-try dishes:
Wansan Pork Hock: A famous dish named after the wealthy merchant Shen Wansan. The pork hock is braised to perfection with a rich, savory flavor.
Sanwei Glutinous Rice Balls: A traditional snack made from glutinous rice with sweet, salty, and spicy fillings, representing the three flavors.
Fish Delicacies: Freshwater fish dishes are a staple in ZhouZhuang, often cooked with local herbs and spices to enhance their natural flavors.
Transport
ZhouZhuang is easily accessible from major cities like Shanghai and Suzhou. Here are some ways to get there:
By Bus: Regular buses run from Shanghai and Suzhou to ZhouZhuang, taking about 1-2 hours.
By Car: You can drive from Shanghai to ZhouZhuang in about 1.5 hours. Parking is available at the entrance of the town.
By Tour: Many travel agencies offer day trips to ZhouZhuang, including transportation and guided tours.
An enchanting water town on the outskirts of Shanghai, ZhuJiaJiao retains it's ancient charm ...
The name literally translates as 'Zhu Family home/corner', reflecting its earliest origins. The town lies on the south side of the YangTse River and has many picturesque canals crossed by hundreds of original Ming and Qing dynasty bridges.
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XīTang is a picturesque, ancient water-town in JiaShan County, ZheJiang province; within the flat-lands of the YangTse River delta. Its history dates back to at least the Spring and Autumn Period when it was located at the border of the ancient states of Yue and Wu.
XiTang is crisscrossed by nine rivers and many canals, linked by a multitude of distinct stone bridges. In the older parts of town, the buildings are set along the banks of the canals, which serve as the main transportation thoroughfares. The town has maintained a tranquil ambiance and scenic beauty, making it a popular tourist attraction and has been frequently depicted in traditional Chinese landscape painting.
In XiTang, there are well-preserved groups of buildings from the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). XiTang also contains numerous antique residences and temples, such as the Temple of the Seven Masters and a 1,200 meter canal-side, tiled-roof long-corridor.
Other places of interest include :
XiYuan Garden, with trees and plants, lakes and bridges, pavilions and fountains all harmoniously integrated.
Xue's House, which is a typical wooden courtyard of the rich merchant from this region during the later Qing dynasty.
WangXian Bridge, which was constructed during the Song dynasty, more than a thousand years ago.
XiTang can be explored on a day-trip from Shanghai or HangZhou. From Shanghai, the journey takes around 1:45 hours by coach. Alternatively, one can first take a train or bus to JiaShan, from where there is a bus leaving for XiTang every 10 minutes, a distance of around ten kilometers. One might choose to stay overnight in XiTang or JiaShan to take in the evening or early morning ambiance.
A water town in north-east JiangSu province, not far from Shanghai.
SuZhou Old Town is famous for its gardens as well as canals. The classical gardens are on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.
LuZhi, also known as PuLi 甫里, lies about 15km east of SuZhou.
A town with scenery similar to ZhouZhuang, though smaller and quieter, with many varied ancient bridges and other attractions.
Possibly the oldest canal-based 'water town' in China.
A popular tourist destination, so it is best to visit on a weekday. It is 60 kilometers from ShangHai.
