Zhouzhuang
From ChinaTravelGuide
East China (华东) » Jiangsu (江苏) » Suzhou (苏州) » Zhouzhuang (周庄古镇游览区)Zhouzhuang (周庄古镇游览区) | |
| Address: | NO 121, Quanfu Road, Zhouzhuang, Kunshan, Suzhou, Jiangsu |
| Phone: | 0512-57217206 |
| Web site: | http://www.zhouzhuang.net |
| Price Range: | 100RMB ~ 100RMB |
| Hours: | All Day |
| Level: | AAAAA |
| Tourist Rating: |  |
Tourist Reviews (0) | ||
| Be the first to write a review for this attraction. | ||
| >> write a review |
[edit] Photos
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
[edit] Videos
| Zhouzhuang |
Get the Flash Player to see this player. |
[edit] Description
Known as the "Venice of the East", Zhouzhuang Water Town is the best-preserved water town in China. It's located 30 km southeast of Suzhou, Jiangsu province, and 60 km the southwest of Shanghai. Zhouzhuang has been connected to the Grand Canal, which extends from Hangzhou in the south to Beijing in the north, since the 12th century.
Zhouzhuang is surrounded by by rivers and canals on all sides. The town is most famous for its water lanes, which serves as the main roads. Boat is the most common mean of transportation. You can see man-powered tour boats everywhere along the canals.
The town has a history of over 900 years and most of residencies and houses in the town were built in Ming (1368-1644) or Qing Dynasties (1644-1911). Arched stone bridges and well-preserved ancient buildings are other main features of the town. The rivers and streams in Zhouzhuang crisscross the town and are spanned by 14 stone-arch bridges constructed in Yuan (1271-1368), Ming, and Qing Dynasties. Twin Bridges, considered as the symbol of the town, are a 16-meter-long stone arch bridge and a 13-meter-long stone girder bridge, built over four centuries ago. Many thanks to these waterways, the town avoided the chaos that might be caused by wars in the past dynasties and most of its architectural layouts have eventually remained intact.
Famous ancient buildings include the mansion of the Shen Family near the Fuan Bridge; and the Zhang Family residence, located to the south of the Twin Bridges. The former residence has over 100 rooms connected with arcades and towered gateways. It covers an area of about 2,000 sq meters, and was built in the middle of the 18th century as the private residence of a wealthy merchant family. The latter one has about 70 rooms with a stream running through the backyard, and was built in the 15th century during the Ming Dynasty.
Zhouzhuang once served as an important commodity market for silk, porcelain, crafts and grain. Many big old houses were once the private residences of wealthy merchant families. Today it's a must-see tourist destination for all visitors to Suzhou.
[edit] Direction
- From Suzhou: Suzhou North Passenger Bus Station has buses going to Zhouzhuang directly. The buses run between 6:55 am and 05:15 pm every half an hour. The trip takes about 1.5 hours, and costs about 15-30 RMB.
- From Kunshan: Buses run to Zhouzhuang from Kunshan Bus Station every 10 minutes starting from 6:45 am to 05:45 am. The trip takes about 1 hour and the fare is 8 RMB.
- From Shanghai: Bus station at 88 Gongxing Road or Tel 86-21-5663 0230. Cost 20 RMB.
- Ferries: Available via Jishui River from Shanghai and Hangzhou.
[edit] Fees & Hours
Fee:
- Day tour: 100 RMB
- Evening tour: 50 RMB
Hours:
- Day tour: 8:00 - 17:30
- Evening tour: 17:00 – 21:00
[edit] Events
...
[edit] Other Local Attractions
- Attraction 1 (distance 1)
- Attraction 2 (distance 2)
- Attraction 3 (distance 3)
[edit] Hotels
[edit] Restaurants
- Restaurant #1 (distance 1)
- Restaurant #2 (distance 2)
- Restaurant #3 (distance 3)
[edit] Bars
[edit] Movie Theaters
- Movie Theater #1 (distance 1)
- Movie Theater #2 (distance 2)
