Zhouzhuang Ancient Town

Renowned as “No. 1 water town in China”, Zhouzhuang ancient town was enlisted in UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, and represents one of the first  ten historical and cultural towns in China, the first batch of National 5A level scenic spot, national famous tourism Towns, the first Chinese characteristic landscape tourism town. Besides, Zhouzhuang was rated as “World’s top 10 most beautiful small town” by CNN, and was named as “excellent global ecological area” by the United States.

Zhouzhuang, an ancient water town in South China, is located at 120.86°E, 31.12°N. Lieing in the southwest of Kunshan City, Zhouzhuang stands over 60 kilometers away from its neighbor Shanghai to the east and 40 kilometers from Suzhou to the west.

The ancient town covers a total area of 38.96 square kilometers, of which 20.8 square kilometers are land and 18.16 square kilometers are water. The town lives up to its name of “a land flowing with milk and honey” with interconnected rivers, harbors and lakes such as Xiaodian Lake, Tianhuadang Lake and Taishidian Lake, etc.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, Zhouzhuang was called Yao City, the fief of Yao, who is the son of emperor Wu. As to the Sui and Tang Dynasty, it’s name came to “ Zhenfengli”. By the first year of Yuanyou in the Song Dynasty (1086 A.D.), Zhou Jin, a village-leveled official, built a village and a temple, donated croplands to the local people, thus his fellow villagers renamed the town as “Zhouzhuang” in return, which , later in the Yuan Dynasty, was designated to Cheung chau County of the Prefecture of Suzhou. In the Middle of Yuan Dynasty, Shen You, father of a legendary businessman Shen Wansan, moved from today’s Nanxun Town, Huzhou City to a village called Dongzhai, (later he moved to the neighborhood of Yinzibang at the end of Yuan Dynasty) , where he gained fame and fortune by doing business, and brought Zhenfengli to prosperity. Since then, it came into being the old market town along the city river, centered by Fu’an Bridge.

Up to now, there are more than 20 scenic spots in number, including Zhang’s House, Shen’s House, The Twin Bridge, Fuan Bridge, Nanhu Autumnal Moon Garden, The Quanfu Temple, The Ancient Platform, Yifei Museum, Xianjiang Fishing Singing, Ye Chucang Residence, The Enchanting Tower, Yuanfengshun Liquor Workshop, Chenxu Taoist Temple, Zhen Feng Street, Tianxiaode Folk Collection, The Museum of Zhouzhuang, The Artists’ village and other architecture of Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Address: Zhouzhuang, Kunshan City

Tel: 0512-57218063

Admission fee for foreigners: Admission with one ticket for each only, 100 RMB for one ticket. Checking in with your ticket by face recognition or fingerprint at ticket office. You are able to enter the scenic area for many times within 3 days.

Opening hours: 8:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. during 1st, Apr. to 20th, Nov. 8:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m. during 21st, Nov. to 31st, Mar. ( Zhang’s House, Shen’s House, Yifei Museum, The Museum of  Zhouzhuang, Jubin Tea house)

8:00 a.m.- 10:00 p.m. (The Ancient Platform)

8:00a.m.- 4:30 p.m.（other scenic spots）