Zhouzhuang(Zeguo)

Zhouzhuang is a renowned water town in Jiangnan, featuring crisscrossing waterways and Ming and Qing dynasty buildings lining the rivers. The twin bridges depicted by artist Chen Yifei capture the gentle charm of "small bridges, flowing water, and homes." The southern part of the ancient townSouth LakeVast and beautiful. When the lights come on at night, Zhouzhuang takes on a whole new charm.

Tour highlights

Ancient mansions with brick-carved gate towers in the misty rain of Jiangnan

The architecture in zhouzhuang primarily consists of jiangnan-style residences, including nearly a hundred ancient courtyard houses, most of which date back to the ming and qing dynasties. Surrounded by water on all sides, the ancient town was shaped by its rivers, with intersecting waterways forming a grid-like pattern embedded within the town. This unique layout creates streets that follow the water's edge and markets that line these streets. Above zhouzhuang's water alleys, 14 ancient stone bridges from the yuan, ming, and qing dynasties remain well-preserved. These ancient bridges, water alleys, and historic houses truly embody the poetic scene of "small bridges, flowing water, and homes."

Visit ancient dwellings and trace the footsteps of famous figures

There are many ancient residential architectural relics here, with the famous ones being zhouzhuang zhang hall, zhouzhuang shen hall, and the mysterious zhouzhuang ancient town - shen wansan's water tomb, which is said to be his cenotaph. Zhouzhuang shen hall was built by shen wansan's descendants and is a well-preserved qing dynasty residence in zhouzhuang. Its ingenious structure allows visitors to glimpse the life traces of a wealthy magnate in jiangnan, and even touch the legendary "treasure basin." Originally named yishun hall, zhouzhuang zhang hall was built earlier in the ming dynasty and later transferred to the zhang family during the qing dynasty, renamed zhouzhuang zhang hall. It is a typical ming dynasty official residence.

The rowing boats in the water alleys are a beautiful dream of the water town.

Zhouzhuang is a small town, with its length and width both approx. 1-2 km, making it perfect for exploring on foot. However, taking a boat ride along the waterways is highly recommended. The boats in the ancient town are wooden vessels covered with traditional blue floral cloth, accommodating 1-6 passengers. The boatwomen often sing local Wu dialect folk songs, adding a charming water-town ambiance.

"Only in Zhouzhuang" immersive multi-dimensional space theater

"Zhouzhuang: A Dream Within A Dream" is an immersive multi-dimensional theatrical experience designed to transport audiences on a "journey of self-encounter" through layered dreams. The story follows Zhou He, a youth traveler attending an astronomy enthusiasts' gathering in Zhouzhuang, who witnesses the dreams and life of his Song Dynasty namesake from 900 years ago. During the 80-minute performance, audiences enter the dreams of both contemporary Zhou He and his Song Dynasty counterpart, following four chapters - "Old dreams", "Entering the painting", "Going to war", and "Finding the way" - to explore the aesthetic world of the Song Dynasty and the ancient water town of Zhouzhuang, witnessing the pursuits of its historical figures through cross-temporal dialogues.

Leisurely life, enjoy relaxation with ease

Zhouzhuang is a perfect place to relax. In the morning, you can enjoy the breeze by the river and savor some Jiangnan-style breakfast. During the day, you can stroll around the town, listen to opera while drinking tea at a teahouse, or read a book with coffee at a café. In the evening, you can unwind with a drink at a quiet bar, where many bars feature live singers or performances.

Featured shopping

Zhenfeng cultural street: Selling jiangnan handicrafts, including homespun cloth,Bamboo woven crafts and more, most suppliers close at sunset.

Quanfu South Road cultural and creative street: Features intangible cultural heritage shops like Xiuniang Silk and Zhu Bingren Copper.There are also Daoxiangcun, Crab Buddy and PinKu Workshop.And delicious food and goods like Sencui women's clothing.

ZhouzhuangAccommodation

If conditions permit, consider staying overnight in the ancient town to gain a deeper understanding of the place. There are many local family-run inns, mostly located along the river with backyard spaces, offering a pleasant and quiet environment. You can choose one based on your preferences.

ZhouzhuangFood

When visiting Zhouzhuang, the local snacks are not to be missed. Around Zhenfeng Cultural Street and near Shen Hall in Zhouzhuang, you'll find numerous specialty snack shops. Here, you can discover various Jiangnan-style pastries like qingtuan (green rice cakes) and wadixu (crispy sock-sole pastries), as well as chengyao cakes. Stroll around and savor these treats as you explore. Must-try dishes include Wanshi trotters, grandma's pickles, white silk fish, and sanweiyuan (three-flavor balls), all iconic flavors of Zhouzhuang. Whether in bustling markets or quiet alleys, you'll encounter century-old culinary traditions. Take your time to appreciate these delicacies that carry the memories of Zhouzhuang, making them an unforgettable part of your journey.