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Plan your Suzhou tour or Shanghai tour? It is highly recommended to have an excursion to Zhouzhuang (周庄) either from Suzhou or Shanghai. Zhouzhuang is known as the No.01 Watertown in China. This over-900 year old watertown has become a trove of oriental culture with its simple and pristine custom, unique folklore, the well preserved ancient residential houses and mesmerising watertown views.
Zhouzhuang is the most typical of all the water towns in Jiangnan (south of Yangtze River) in the triangle area of Yangtze River Delta. “Zhouzhuang” literally means “Zhou’s village”, a village named after Zhou Digong. Zhou Digong was a pious buddhist. In 1088 during the Northern Song Dynasty, Zhou Digong donated his 13 hectares of land to the local Fuquan Temple as its temple property. Later the local villagers called the land “Zhou Village” – Zhouzhuang in appreciation for Zhou Digong’ generosity.
How to get there
1. Suzhou – Zhouzhuang
You may take a long-distance bus to Zhouzhuang from the Suzhou Railway Station North Square Passenger Bus Station or from Suzhou North Bus Station.
Operating hour: 6:00 – 17:30
Bus ticket: RMb 17
When you arrive at Zhouzhuang Long-distance Bus Station, you still need to take a RMB10 taxi ride from the bus station to the entrance to Zhouzhuang.
2. Suzhou – Tongli – Zhouzhuang
You may visit Tongli Ancient Town and Zhouzhuanng on the same for a day trip from Suzhou. Taking a bus first to Tongli from the Suzhou Railway Station North Square Passenger Bus Station or from Suzhou North Bus Station.
After sightseeing in Tongli, take a half hourbus ride from Tongli Bus Station to Jiangze (江择). Jiangze County is only 300m away from Zhouzhuang, but Jiangze is under the administration of Wujiang District of Suzhou whike Zhouzhuang is under the jurisdiction of Kunshan City.
3. Shanghai – Zhouzhuang
Take the long-distance bus from Shanghai Northern Long-distance bus station.
Entrance Fee: RMB 100
Medical care: 0512-57219990 (Night)
Follow me to visit Zhouzhuang
After visiting Tongli ancient watertown, I walk to the Tongli Bus Station and jump on the bus for Jiangze (江泽），the last stop of the bus line with a bus fare of RMB 1.
Taking a public bus from Tongli to Jiangze (江泽), 300m away from Zhouzhuang.
The bridge is a division line between Zhouzhuang(周庄) and Jiangze County (江泽). I get off the bus and leave the bus station of Jiangze. I walk on my right side. Soon I come across a bridge which is said to be the divided line between Zhouzhuang and Jiuangze.
Crossing the bridge, soon I see a decorated archway inscribed with two big Chinese charactors “周庄” – Zhouzhuang. It is the main stree of Zhouzhuang leading to the main entrance to the ancient water town.
Wandering along the major commercial avenue in Zhouzhuang.
Wandering along the major commercial avenue in Zhouzhuang
a road direction signboard pointing
Looking at the signboard, I turn to the right and stroll on a wide street leading to the main entrance. The street is teeming with streetfront and restaurants.
Local specialities like tea, wine, snacks and the list could be much longer.
Local specialities like tea, wine, snacks and the list could be much longer.
Wanshan Hock is one of the most delicious Wansan pork hock,
A stone archway bridge with its reflection on the water and overhead willow trees falling over the bridge.
A boat at anchor well protected with rain proof cover.
old residencial houses with faded white-washed wall and till inhabited by the local village.
A boat lady is slowly row the boat
The boat is passing by the residential house with its laundry hanging outside.
The waterway is narrowing
A square archway stone bridge
The white-washed houses floating on the canal with amazing reflection on the water.
A pretty stone archway bridge spans the canal.
Some passengers are getting on the boats on the canal cruise tour.
Boating on the canal like The Venice in the East.
The famous double bridges – a round archway bridge and a square archway bridge.
An archway bridge is on the cross riverway.
