Ancient Town of Zhouzhuang
» Shanghai, Jiang Su

周庄 中国第一水乡 梦里水乡 '镇为泽国,四面环水'

Zhouzhuang, known as the "Venice of the Orient", is located in Jiangsu province, about 50km from Shanghai, the "Paris of the Orient", and is China's oldest water town. Zhouzhuang Town boasts all the beautiful features of a Chinese waterside town. Zhouzhuang was even bestowed the title of number one waterside town in China by overseas press.

No. 1 Water Town in China

The ancient town of Zhouzhuang is in Kunshan City, between Shanghai and Suzhou. It is known as the No. 1 Water Town in China, and it is rich in produce. Zhouzhuang abounds in waterways, and boats are a must. The town feares a waterscape typical of the regions south of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River, with houses built along the rivers and streams.

How it got its name

In 1086, Zhou Digong, a noted Buddhist, contributed 13 hectares of land to the Full Fortune Temple. The town got its present name as a memorial of the donor.

Symbol of the town

There are many bridges as well and the most famous being Yong'an and Shide, known as Double Bridge, one a stone archetype and the other a stone beam type bridge. Double Bridges are considered the symbol of the town. Crossing the two crisscross rivers and connecting at the middle, Double Bridges look like a Chinese old-style Chinese key.

A canvase named "Memory of Hometown"

In 1984, 38 canvases of the notable painter, Chen Yifei, were exhibited in a New York gallery of Armand Hammer, chairman of Occidental Petroleum Corporation. "Memory of Hometown" which depicts Twin Bridges was one of the items on display and has gained the world's attention for the town. The painting was chosen to be the first day cover of the United Nations' postage stamp in 1985.

Why to come

It is noted for its profound cultural background, the well-preserved ancient residential houses, the elegant watery views and the strong local colored traditions and customs. Although more than 900 years have past, its architectural style is still well preserved. More than 60 percent of the residential houses were built during the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1911) dynasties, consisting of nearly 100 classic courtyards and 60 carved brick archways. Like a lotus on the water, the town is surrounded and bisected by mang rivers.

Getting around

The town has many cultural relics, including the houses of Shen and Zhang, the Milou Tower, Ye Chucang's Former Residence, Chengxu Taoist Temple and Quanfu Temple. Zhouzhuang enjoys rich cultural resources, a beautiful environment and simple local customs.

Ancient town must see

With lakes on four sides, the beauty of Zhouzhuang is specially to be found along the waterside lanes and around a number of the stone bridges. A different vista at every turn can be found here. All those make a visit most enjoyable. Also, one can enjoy the fairyland atmosphere of the evenings here when the myriad stars twinkle as though in communication with the glittering lights.

Getting there

Zhouzhuang has no airport nor railway station and the town can only be reached via highway or water.

By bus

Zhouzhuang is very accessible via bus. There are many buses from Shanghai and Suzhou to Zhouzhuang.

Suzhou-Zhouzhuang: A bus leaves from Suzhou North Long-distance Bus Station from 7:05 am to 5:00 pm every 20 munites.

Shanghai-Zhouzhuang: There are around 7 buses heading for Zhouzhuang from Shanghai Long-distance Bus Station daily.

By ferry

Zhouzhuang is connected by the Jishui River with Shanghai and Hangzhou. Visitors from Hangzhou can travel along the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal to get to Zhouzhuang. Travel via that waterway may slow, time-consuming and exhausted but the riverside country scenery probably provide you a quite memorable experience.

Local Transportation

Vehicles including bicycles are not allowed within the town and small boats are the only transportation tool there.

Attractions around » Shanghai, Jiang Su

Natural Scene

Natural Scene

Historical Site

Historical Site

Cultural Site

Cultural Site

Nightlife

Nightlife

Day Entertainment & Sports

Day Entertainment & Sports

Shopping & Leisure

Shopping & Leisure

  Weather

  1. What should we need to know when visiting Shanghai in different seasons?
  2. What's the best season for traveling there?

  Transportation

  1. What about the transportation between Shanghai and its surrounding cities?

  Food

  1. What's the specialty of Shanghai cuisine?
  2. What are the must-eat Shanghai snacks? And what to notice?

  Shopping

  1. Where is the most famous area for shopping here?
  2. Where can we visit on our spare time?

  Travel

  1. How about Shanghai's nightlife?

  Other Hints

  1. How many airports do Shanghai have?
  2. What is the city code of Shanghai?

  • What should we need to know when visiting Shanghai in different seasons?

    The four seasons are easy to tell apart. The weather is pleasant, and the number of all kinds of products is large in Spring and Autumn.

    Every June and July is the mold rain season, so it is usually humid in hotel rooms. Umbrella is a necessary thing to bring with during the rainy weather.

    The coldest time is from late January to early February. Even though there is not much snow, warm clothes are still needed, because cold wind is always unendurable. Hotel rooms are equipped with air-conditions, so please stay warm in the room.

    It is usually super hot in July and August. Weather with higher than 35 C usually stays for about ten days, so that prevention from overheat is very necessary.


  • What's the best season for traveling there?

    After humid mold rain season and cold winter, there comes the Spring with blooming flowers, or the Autumn with falling red leaves, which are the best the seasons for trevaling.


  • What about the transportation between Shanghai and its surrounding cities?

    Travel line in the east China includes Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai. It usually takes about 2C3 hours to travel between cities. Medicine that prevents car-sickness is necessary.

    Multi-city traveling usually requires travelers to put up each night in different cities. Please take care of your belongings when checking out.


  • What's the specialty of Shanghai cuisine?

    Shanghai cuisine is a mixture of five different cuisines and western food. Apart from its local food, it also has Beijing cuisine, Sichuan cuisine, Guangdong cuisine, Hunan cuisine, Yangzhou cuisine, Chaozhou Cuisine, Anhui Cuisine and vegetarian cuisine, etc.

    Of course, Italian food, Russian food, French food, Vietnamese food, Korean food and Japanese food can also be found in Shanghai.

    Local people like food with light seasoning and light sweetness. Rice is their main food. People that like strong seasoning can prepare their own seasonings.

    Travelers with special needs please give us notice before hand, so we can prepare for you earlier according to your requirements.


  • What are the must-eat Shanghai snacks? And what to notice?

    Shanghai Nanxiang Dumplings, Crab Roe Dumplings, Steamed Dumplings Filled with Minced Meat and Gravy, Fermented Rice with Pigeon Eggs, Rib Rice Cakes, Eggs Boiled with Five Ingredients, Five Ingredients Beans, etc. There are a lot of delicious local food.

    Please mind the sanitation when enjoying the tasty food.


  • Where is the most famous area for shopping here?

    The shopping heaven in Shanghai is Nanjing Road. It has a name of 'the number one shopping street in China.' Now all kinds of stores have been opened by all kinds of business people. There are not only old stores that have hundreds of years, but also modern shopping malls like Friendship Europe Shopping Mall, Mancton Square, HUalian Shopping Center, etc.

    Huaihai Road is as famous as Nanjing Road. Shopping malls are standing at each side of the road: Guangna World Center, Paris Spring, Meimei Shopping Center, Parkson, etc. World famous brand can all be found in the shopping malls, which make Shanghai a shopping center of world class.

    Sichuan North Road's stores offer reasonable prices, which attracts a lot of common people. Xizangzhong Road had developed food and travel industry.


  • Where can we visit on our spare time?

    Shanghai is where Chinese movie originated. It is also where a lot of international movie festivals take place. There are world-class theaters. Famous movies and latest movies can all be found in Shanghai's movie theaters.

    Huanyi Movie Theather on Nanjing West Road, Yongle Palace on Anfu Road are the most famous movie theathers in Shanghai.

    You can also go to teahouse. Different from traditional teahouse, the teahouse in Shanghai adds more modern atmosphere that attracts more and more young people.

    New theme parks and amusement parks in Shanghai are good choices too. Modern equipments and beautiful natural scenes will bring you to the ideal land.


  • How about Shanghai's nightlife?

    Bars, KTV and DISCO are indispensable in a busy city like Shanghai. Beautiful lights are like the reflection of the stars, lightening the whole city and bring the city endless liveliness.

    Blue Belt Night Club, Night Paris and the famous Big World are all well known and loved by young people. Dancing people and fragrant martini will make you forget about tiredness and start to enjoy the charm of Shanghai city.


  • How many airports does Shanghai have?

    There are two international airports in Shanghai, which are Hongqiao Aireport and Pudong International Airport.

    Hundreds of airlines are in service, which can reach to every big and medium city in China and some cities in each country.

    Air traffic is very convenient. Pudong International Airport is mainly for international airlines, while Hongqiao Airport is mainly for national airlines.


  • What is the city code of Shanghai?

    Shanghai's area code: 021


Known as the 'Venice of the Orient' and China's oldest water town, Zhouzhuang was even bestowed the title of number one waterside town in China by overseas press. It is noted for its profound cultural background, the well-preserved ancient residential houses, the elegant watery views and the strong local colored traditions and customs.

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