Zhouzhuang Ancient Town is located in Kunshan City, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province. It is one of the six ancient towns in the Jiangnan region and a national 5A-level tourist attraction, enjoying the reputation of "the first water town in China". The ancient town is surrounded by water on all sides, with rivers in the town distributed in a "well" shape. It preserves 14 ancient bridges with unique characteristics, among which Fu'an Bridge and Zhenfeng Bridge, built in the Yuan Dynasty's Zhizheng period, are the most famous. The total area of Zhouzhuang Ancient Town is about 38.96 square kilometers, and the core scenic area is about 0.47 square kilometers. It still retains the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. There are nearly 100 classical houses and more than 60 brick-carved gate towers in the town, embodying the typical pattern of "small bridges, flowing water, and households" in Jiangnan water towns, and is an outstanding representative of Jiangnan water town culture.
Historical Culture
The history of Zhouzhuang Ancient Town can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period. At that time, it was the fief of Yaoyao, the youngest son of King Wu, and was called "Zhenfengli". In the first year of Yuanyou in the Northern Song Dynasty (1086), Zhou Digonglang set up a village here. Because the Zhou family lived together, it was gradually called "Zhouzhuang".
In the Yuan Dynasty, because Zhouzhuang was located at an important water transport hub, commerce began to thrive, and a market with a preliminary scale emerged. In the Ming Dynasty, Zhouzhuang became an important distribution center for grain and silk in the Jiangnan region, and its economy became increasingly prosperous. Many wealthy merchants built houses here, forming the basic pattern of the ancient town. In the Qing Dynasty, the commerce and handicraft industry in Zhouzhuang further developed. Relying on its superior water transportation, it became an important node connecting Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou. The town was lined with shops and crowded with merchants.
Zhouzhuang Ancient Town is not only a commercial town but also a place of cultural prosperity. Many literati and scholars emerged in history. For example, Shen Wansan, a wealthy man in the Jiangnan region during the Ming Dynasty, once lived here, and his related legends are still circulated among the people. The buildings, bridges, streets, and lanes in the ancient town all carry rich historical information. In 2003, Zhouzhuang was rated as a famous historical and cultural town in China. Its unique water town culture and architectural style have become important material materials for studying the history, folk customs, and architecture of the Jiangnan region.
Main Attractions
Shen Hall
Shen Hall is located on the south side of the east end of Fu'an Bridge in Zhouzhuang. It was built in the seventh year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1742) by Shen Benren, a descendant of Shen Wansan, a wealthy man in the Jiangnan region during the Ming Dynasty. Its original name was "Jingye Hall", later renamed "Songmao Hall". With a total area of about 1700 square meters, it has 7 courtyards and 5 gate towers, and more than 100 houses of various sizes. It is the largest complex of Ming Dynasty dwellings in Zhouzhuang. Shen Hall faces west with its back to the east and is built along the river. It consists of a water gate, a river port, a main hall, a back hall, a flower hall, and a building. The overall architectural layout is rigorous, with carved beams and painted rafters. Especially, the beams and brackets of the main hall "Songmao Hall" are carved with exquisite patterns, showing the exquisite craftsmanship of Jiangnan residential architecture. The hall displays Shen Wansan's life story and related cultural relics, which is an important window to understand the life of wealthy people in the Jiangnan region.
Zhang Hall
Zhang Hall is located at the south end of Beishi Street in Zhouzhuang. It was first built during the Zhengtong period of the Ming Dynasty (1436-1449) by descendants of Xu Kui, the younger brother of Xu Da, the King of Zhongshan in the Ming Dynasty. In the early Qing Dynasty, it was transferred to the Zhang family, hence the name "Zhang Hall". Covering a total area of about 1,800 square meters, the hall consists of 6 courtyards and over 60 rooms. Its distinctive feature is that "sedans enter through the gate, and boats pass through the house" – there is a small river running through the courtyard, commonly known as "a river with two banks", which embodies the close integration of residences and water in Jiangnan water towns. The furnishings in the hall retain the style of the Ming Dynasty, with exquisite decorations such as wood carvings and brick carvings, showcasing the architectural characteristics of Ming Dynasty dwellings.
Double Bridges
Double Bridges consist of Shide Bridge and Yong'an Bridge, located in the center of Zhouzhuang Ancient Town. They were first built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty (1573-1620). The two bridges are connected at a right angle, looking quite like an ancient key, so they are also called "Key Bridge". Shide Bridge is a stone arch bridge spanning the North-South River, with a length of 16 meters and a width of 3 meters; Yong'an Bridge is a stone beam bridge spanning Yinzi Creek, with a length of 13.3 meters and a width of 2.4 meters. Double Bridges are the landmark buildings of Zhouzhuang. In 1984, the oil painting "Memories of Hometown" created by painter Chen Yifei with Double Bridges as the theme was exhibited overseas, which made Zhouzhuang famous far and wide, and Double Bridges have thus become a symbol of Zhouzhuang.
Fu'an Bridge
Fu'an Bridge is located at the east end of Zhongshi Street in Zhouzhuang. It was built in the 15th year of Zhizheng in the Yuan Dynasty (1355) and rebuilt in the 14th year of Chenghua in the Ming Dynasty (1478). It is a single-hole stone arch bridge, 17.4 meters long, 3.8 meters wide, and 6.6 meters in span. There are bridge towers on both sides of the bridge body, which is relatively rare among ancient bridges in the Jiangnan region. Tea houses and shops were once set up in the bridge towers, reflecting the characteristic of "integration of bridge and market". The name of Fu'an Bridge implies "being rich and prominent, and peaceful and auspicious". It is one of the oldest bridges in Zhouzhuang and has witnessed the rise and fall of Zhouzhuang.
Zhouzhuang Museum
Zhouzhuang Museum is located on the east side of Zhouzhuang Ancient Town. It was originally the residence of a Zhu family during the Republic of China and was rebuilt into a museum in 2004, with a construction area of about 1000 square meters. Through exhibition halls such as "History of Water Towns", "Customs of Water Towns", and "Architecture of Water Towns", the museum shows the development process of Zhouzhuang from ancient times to the present. The museum collects a large number of cultural relics related to the history of Zhouzhuang, such as ancient farm tools, fishing tools, costumes, calligraphy, and paintings, as well as exhibits reflecting the folk customs of water towns, such as the restoration of wedding customs and festival scenes, allowing visitors to fully understand the history, culture, and folk customs of Zhouzhuang.
Food
Wansan Pork Knuckle
Wansan Pork Knuckle is a signature delicacy of Zhouzhuang, originating from the legend of Shen Wansan entertaining Zhu Yuanzhang during the Ming Dynasty. It is made using high-quality local pork hind legs, combined with seasonings such as soy sauce, sugar, and star anise, through multiple processes including braising and sauce-roasting. The finished dish has a bright red color, crispy skin, tender meat that falls off the bone, is rich but not greasy, and has a strong aroma. There is a particular way to eat Wansan Pork Knuckle: with a gentle cut using a bone knife, the meat can be easily separated from the bone, making it convenient to eat. Nowadays, it has become a must-try food for tourists visiting Zhouzhuang.
Steamed Puffer Fish
Steamed Puffer Fish is a traditional famous dish in Zhouzhuang. It uses fresh puffer fish from local rivers. After removing the internal organs, it is steamed in a cage with ham slices, bamboo shoots, green onions, ginger, and other seasonings. Puffer fish has tender meat, delicious taste, rich soup, and is rich in protein. It is one of the characteristic river fishes in Jiangnan water towns. It should be noted that the liver of puffer fish is slightly toxic and can be eaten only after treatment.
Aozao Noodles
Aozao Noodles are a characteristic pasta in Kunshan and Zhouzhuang. "Aozao" means "mysterious stove". Its soup is made of scales, gills, and meat of black carp, with soy sauce, sugar, and other seasonings, with bright red color and delicious taste; the noodles are thin and chewy; there are various toppings, such as fried fish, eel paste, braised meat, etc., among which fried fish Aozao Noodles are the most classic. There are many time-honored noodle restaurants in Zhouzhuang Ancient Town, such as "Zhenfeng Noodle Restaurant", which is deeply loved by tourists.
Wadisu (Sock-bottom Pastry)
Wadisu is a traditional pastry in Zhouzhuang, named because it is shaped like a sock bottom. It is made of flour, sesame, sugar, and other raw materials through processes such as rolling, filling, and baking. The finished product is crispy in taste, moderate in salt and sweetness, and has a strong sesame flavor. The production process of Wadisu has a history of hundreds of years, and it is easy to carry, making it a good gift for tourists to present to relatives and friends.
Zhouzhuang Pickled Amaranth Stalks
Zhouzhuang Pickled Amaranth Stalks are a local characteristic pickled vegetable. They are made of fresh amaranth stalks, cut into sections after washing, and pickled with salt, Sichuan pepper, and other seasonings. They are golden yellow in color, salty and fresh in taste, with a unique fermented aroma. Pickled amaranth stalks can be eaten directly or used to stir-fry meat and steam fish. They are common dishes on Zhouzhuang people's tables, reflecting the dietary characteristics of Jiangnan water towns.
Tickets
The ticket is 50 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "周庄旅游" on WeChat to get the latest news or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
It is open all year round. The opening hours are 7:30-21:00 (April 1 - November 30, admission stops at 20:00); from December 1 to March 31 of the next year, the opening hours are 7:30-20:00 (admission stops at 19:00).
The opening hours of the scenic spots in the ancient town are the same as those of the ancient town. Some scenic spots, such as the indoor areas of Shen Hall and Zhang Hall, are closed after 17:30. Please refer to the announcement of the scenic spot on that day for details.
Tour Route
The core scenic area of Zhouzhuang Ancient Town is not large, and it is recommended to visit for 1-2 days. Recommended one-day tour route: enter from the south gate of the ancient town in the morning, first visit Zhang Hall to feel the characteristics of Ming Dynasty dwellings; then walk to Double Bridges to enjoy the unique scenery of "Key Bridge" and take photos as a souvenir; then go to Shen Hall to learn about the historical story of Shen Wansan; at noon, taste special foods such as Wansan Pork Knuckle and Aozao Noodles in the ancient town. In the afternoon, visit Fu'an Bridge and climb the bridge tower to overlook the water town scenery; then go to Zhouzhuang Museum to fully understand the history and culture of Zhouzhuang; in the evening, enjoy the sunset scenery of the ancient town by the river and feel the quiet atmosphere of the water town; at night, you can take a cruise to visit the ancient town at night and enjoy the water town night view under the lights.
A two-day tour can add surrounding scenic spots on the basis of the one-day tour. On the second day, visit the "Museum of the Mystery of Life" around the ancient town in the morning to understand the mystery of biological evolution; in the afternoon, go to "Nanhu Qiuyue Garden" to enjoy the natural scenery of Nanhu and feel the artistic conception of "Nanhu Autumn Moon", then end the trip.
Transportation
- Bus: There are multiple bus routes in Kunshan urban area that can directly reach Zhouzhuang, such as Kunshan 161 Road and Kunshan 263 Road. It takes about 1 hour from Kunshan South Bus Station to Zhouzhuang Bus Station, with a fare of 5 yuan per person; Suzhou North Bus Station has a direct tourist special line to Zhouzhuang, with a journey of about 1.5 hours and a fare of 17 yuan per person.
- High-speed rail/bullet train: Take the high-speed rail or bullet train to Kunshan South Station, then transfer to Kunshan 161 Road bus to Zhouzhuang Bus Station after exiting the station, then walk about 10 minutes to the entrance of the ancient town, with a total journey of about 1.5 hours.
- Self-driving: Starting from Shanghai, take Shanghai-Kunming Expressway and then Changjia Expressway, get off at Zhouzhuang Exit, with a journey of about 1.5 hours; starting from Suzhou, take Changtai Expressway and then Changjia Expressway, get off at Zhouzhuang Exit, with a journey of about 1 hour. There are multiple parking lots around the ancient town, with a charging standard of 10 yuan per day.
- Cruise: In Zhouzhuang Ancient Town, you can take a hand-cranked cruise to visit, with a fare of 150 yuan per boat (can seat 6 people), and the journey is about 30 minutes. It departs from the central river of the ancient town, passing through Double Bridges, Fu'an Bridge and other scenic spots, feeling the artistic conception of "the boat swims in the water, and people sit in the painting".
Must-visit Attractions
- Shen Hall: The largest complex of Ming Dynasty dwellings in Zhouzhuang, with an area of 1700 square meters, 7 courtyards and 5 gate towers, showing the living scenes of wealthy people in the Jiangnan region, closely related to the historical allusions of Shen Wansan.
- Double Bridges: Composed of Shide Bridge and Yong'an Bridge, they are the landmark buildings of Zhouzhuang, famous worldwide for Chen Yifei's oil painting, embodying the unique charm of bridges in Jiangnan water towns.
- Fu'an Bridge: One of the oldest bridges in Zhouzhuang, built in the Yuan Dynasty, with bridge towers on the bridge body. The characteristic of "integration of bridge and market" is rare among ancient bridges in the Jiangnan region.
- Zhang Hall: A representative of Ming Dynasty dwellings, with an area of 1800 square meters. The pattern of "sedans enter from the door, and boats pass through the house" shows the close connection between water town houses and water.
Travel Suggestions
- The best seasons to visit are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November). In spring, the ancient town is full of blooming flowers; in autumn, the climate is pleasant, suitable for walking and boating.
- It is recommended to stay in the ancient town for one night to experience the fun of visiting the ancient town at night. The night view of Zhouzhuang is bright with lights, less noisy than during the day, and more charming with water town charm.
- The streets and lanes in the ancient town are narrow and there are many tourists. It is recommended to wear comfortable flat shoes for easy walking.
- When buying specialties, it is recommended to choose time-honored stores in the ancient town, such as "Shen Wansan's Former Residence Specialty Store", to ensure product quality.
- If you want to avoid the peak of people flow, you can choose to go on weekdays or enter the ancient town between 7:30-8:30 in the morning.
Matters Needing Attention
- There are many rivers in the ancient town. When visiting, please pay attention to safety, do not get close to the river guardrails, and especially keep an eye on children.
- When taking a hand-cranked boat, follow the boatman's instructions, wear a life jacket, and do not stand or shake on the boat to avoid accidents.
- Some buildings in the ancient town are of wooden structure. Smoking is prohibited, and open flames are not allowed. Please protect cultural relics and historic sites.
- Please keep your ticket stub when purchasing tickets. Some attractions require ticket inspection for entry. The ticket is valid for 3 days and allows multiple entries and exits to the ancient town.
- Respect the living habits of local residents. Do not make loud noises during the visit, and do not randomly take photos of residents' private life scenes.