Zhouzhuang in Brief

Zhouzhuang, one of the most famous water townships in China, situated in Kunshan City which is only 30 kilometers (18 miles) southeast of Suzhou. It just takes about 1.5 hours driving from Shanghai to Zhouzhuang, so it is close enough for a quick day trip from Shanghai.

Zhouzhuang is a peaceful and secluded ancient water town with traditional Chinese architecture. Although it has been standing there for over 900 years, the style of the old Water Town keeps unchanged. Nowadays, there are still over 60% of the buildings keep the Ming and Qing dynasty style. There are over 100 classic Chinese houses clustered in such water town, which occupying an area of less than 0.47 square kilometers. The most typical traditional Chinese houses are Zhang’s House and Shen’s House. Besides the traditional Chinese houses, stone bridge is also a business card of Zhouzhuang.

Main Attractions

Twin Bridges

As mentioned, Stone Bridges are the business card of Zhouzhuang. Among the 14 distinctive stone bridges, the representative is the so-called Twin Bridge which comprise Shide Bridge and Yongan Bridge.

Built in Wanli era (1573 - 1619) of the Ming Dynasty, Twin Bridges is located in the northeast of Zhouzhuang Water Town. Shide Bridge is east-west and has a round arch, while Yongan Bridge is north-south and the bridge arch is square. Twin Bridges look like a Chinese old-style Chinese key.

It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but in the case of Zhouzhuang, one painting has been worth RMB$320 million. A Chinese painter by the name of Chen Yifei put 38 of his paintings on display in New York. One of those paintings, titled "Memory of Hometown" was of Twin Bridges in Zhouzhuang, ended up being purchased by Armand Hammer, chairman of the board of directors of Occidental Petroleum Corporation and owner of the gallery. When Hammer visited China one month later, he presented "Memory of Hometown" to Deng Xiaoping and overnight, tourists flocked to Zhouzhuang.

Shen’s House (the House of Shen’s Family)

Shen’s House used to be the private property of Shen Wanshan, the first millionaire of Southern China in the early Ming Dynasty. It is built in 1742 and located at the southeast side of Fuan Bridge. It serves as an extraordinary example of how the rich lived during feudal China. The whole architectural complex is of the Ming's style and occupies an area of more than 2,000 square meters (half an acre). Over 100 rooms are divided into three sections and each one is connected by arcades and aisles. The first is the water gate and the wharf, where Shen's family moored boats and washed clothes. The middle part includes the gate tower, the tearoom and the main hall. Brick gate tower carved with lively and ingenious figures which tell the historic stories or show the good wishes, make it a rare artwork. Tea room and main hall are places for serving guests, and the furnishings display here are all very elegant. The last section is the two-storied dwelling which consists of several buildings, more comfortable and refined in pattern and atmosphere. The painted sculpture of legendary Shen Wansan is in Datang Tower; cultural relics including ancient folk instruments are exhibited in Xiaotang Tower and Back Hall.

Zhang’s House (the House of Zhang’s Family)

Zhang’s House is now one of the few well-preserved mansions in China. It is built in Zhengtong Era (1436 - 1449) of Ming Dynasty by Xu’s Family and then sold to Zhang’s Family in Qing Dynasty. Located to the south of the Twin Bridges, Zhang’s House has more than 70 rooms and takes up about 1,800 square meters (less than half an acre). With Ruojing River flowing through, Zhang’s House is a dapper and graceful residential house; has a tranquil courtyard and pond. Deep halls all represent the life of the quondam owner.

Milou Tower

Once called the De's Tavern, Milou Tower perches next to Zhenfeng Bridge, is at the southwest corner of Zhouzhuang. It is famous for being a rallying place of the literatures in old times. Numerous poets, songs and stories about Milou Tower are wide spread and make it more charming.

Chengxu Taoist Temple

Chengxu Taoist Temple was built during 1086 - 1093 of the Song Dynasty and also known as Sanctity Hall (Shengtang Hall). After several periods of expansion, it is one of the most famous Taoist temples in Wuzhong Region. In an area of 1,500 square meters (1,800 square yards), simple but majestic Shengdi and Doumu halls, Yuhuang, Wenchang and Shengdi pavilions are really elaborate works and masterpieces of Taoist architectures. 

Recommended Tours including the visit to Zhouzhuang:

Shanghai to Zhouzhuang One Day Tour

A Trip to Zhouzhuang and Suzhou from Shanghai

• From USD 1339 pp
  8 Days Golden Triangle China Tour
• From USD 956 pp
  Tour Code: CL-01
• Destinations: Beijing,Xi'an,Shanghai

• From USD 1839 pp
  10 Days Tour of All China Highlights
• From USD 1398 pp
  Tour Code: CL-02
• Destinations: Beijing,Xi'an,Guilin,Shanghai

• From USD 2009 pp
  9 Days Best of China with Glof Tour
• From USD 1666 pp
  Tour Code: GF-02
• Destinations: Beijing,Xi'an,Shanghai

• From USD 2449 pp
  12 Days Beijing-Xian-Lhasa-Shanghai
• From USD 1899 pp
  Tour Code: XZ-01
• Destinations: Beijing,Xi'an,Lhasa,Shanghai

• From USD 2169 pp
  11 Day Classic China Tour with Yangtze Cruise
• From USD 1519 pp
  Tour Code: YZ-01
• Destinations: Beijing,Xi'an,Yangtze River,Shanghai