Zhouzhuang(Zeguo)

Zhouzhuang is a world-renowned water town in Jiangnan, where waterways crisscross the town and Ming and Qing dynasty architecture is built along the rivers. The ancient town is surrounded by water on all sides, with various waterways forming a "well" shape embedded in the town, creating a unique layout where streets are formed along the water and markets are based on the streets. More than ten ancient stone bridges built during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties are well-preserved over the water alleys, and the ancient bridges, water alleys, and old houses together form a vivid picture of "small bridges, flowing water, and households." Among them, the Twin Bridges consist of Shide Bridge and Yong'an Bridge, one arched and one beam-style, one round and one square, which became famous due to the oil painting by artist Chen Yifei.

The town has numerous ancient residential courtyards, most of which are Ming and Qing dynasty buildings. The Shen Hall was built during the Qianlong reign of the Qing dynasty by descendants of Shen Wansan. It features seven successive courtyards and five gate towers, with over a hundred rooms of various sizes, making it one of the larger Qing dynasty residences preserved in the ancient town. The brick-carved gate tower in the hall is finely detailed, and the zouma lou (galleries connecting the buildings) layout is quite rare among similar structures. The hall also houses a seated statue of Shen Wansan and the legendary "treasure bowl." The Zhang Hall, originally named Yishun Tang, is said to have been built by descendants of Xu Kui, younger brother of Xu Da of the Ming dynasty. In the early Qing dynasty it passed to a family surnamed Zhang and was renamed Yuyan Tang, commonly known as Zhang Hall. It is one of the few surviving Ming dynasty buildings in the town. A small river flows through the rear courtyard, and the unique layout where "boats pass through the house" leaves a lasting impression.

Boating through the water alleys on a sculling boat is a classic experience in the ancient town. Wooden boats draped with blue calico glide slowly along, and the boatmen often sing Wu folk tunes, filling the water town with charm. To the south of the ancient town lies the Nanhu Autumn Moon Garden, inspired by the "craving for water shield soup and perch" allusion, with expansive lake views that make it a wonderful place to savor the poetry of Jiangnan. The ancient town is small enough to explore on foot. After night falls and the lights come on, reflections shimmer on the canals, offering a beauty distinct from the misty, rainy daytime scenery. The attraction also features "Encounter Zhouzhuang," an immersive multidimensional theater production that weaves together a Song Dynasty water town tableau through the stories of two travelers who share the same name across different eras.