Zhouzhuang, rated by 'National Geographic' as the most beautiful ancient town in China, is truly exceptional
I have visited quite a few water towns, but Zhouzhuang remains my favorite.
The layout of the ancient town is compact, with streets and canals running perpendicular to each other, crisscrossing neatly. This relatively regular pattern makes my stroll more enjoyable; I start with the horizontal streets, finish them one by one, then move on to the vertical ones. After one round, I have covered all the places I intended to visit without getting lost.
Almost every type of street can be found in Zhouzhuang. The wider ones have a canal in the middle, with boats shuttling back and forth, stone embankments on both sides, willows swaying gently, and shops lined up. The narrower ones have a path on only one side, with buildings directly facing the water on the other. From this side of the street, if you're lucky, you might see beautiful women sitting in front of the windows on the first or second floor, dining and chatting elegantly—a lovely sight indeed.
Even narrower are the 'water streets,' where buildings stand back to back on both sides of the canal. Residents facing each other through their windows might even engage in cross-canal communication. Some houses have steps leading down to the water at the back, convenient for mooring boats or washing rice and vegetables in the river. However, since there are no paths along the riverbank, you have to stand on a round arched bridge to get a good view of these water streets.
In Zhouzhuang, my favorite street is called Zhongshi Street. It's not adjacent to the water and is extremely narrow, less than two meters wide, with flagstone paving and shops on both sides. After visiting a Suzhou embroidery shop on the left, you step out, take a few steps, and enter a fan shop on the right. The feeling is wonderful. Compared to the city streets that are hard to cross, it even feels a bit magical.
If you have ample time, you can also venture deeper into the ancient town. Behind the main streets, there are winding alleys with grey bricks, flanked by mottled white walls, as if you have stepped back into ancient times. Occasionally, you pass by a house with closed doors, with banana leaves peeking out from the corner of the wall, arousing curiosity about what lies inside the courtyard.
These streets, large and small, diverse in form and character, converge in this town of less than one square kilometer, making a visit to Zhouzhuang a delightfully interesting experience.
I have always wanted to go to Zhouzhuang. It is better to see it. It is beautiful and comfortable. I will definitely stay for one night next time. I will experience the quiet beauty, harmony and simplicity of the Jiangnan water town. Especially the bridge in the water town has a unique charm!
The first time I came to Zhouzhuang, I chose to stay in Zhouzhuang Scenic Area for one night at night. I visited the night view and took a cruise. Zhouzhuang's cruise was very cost-effective and the night view was beautiful. It was worth experiencing. I went shopping for a long time the next day and rushed to the next stop. Overall, I liked Zhouzhuang very much!
Very scenic watertown, great views on the canals. Entrance was very fast after they identified the tickets using the phone number given when reserving (international phone number without the +). From Shanghai it takes a while to reach using subway to Oriental Land station and then taxi.
After more than ten years, I came to Zhouzhuang again, and I felt that Zhouzhuang still seemed to be in memory, and it felt different. But the same thing is that people in Zhouzhuang are still so enthusiastic ❤️ This time I brought a dog 🐶. Every restaurant is very 🧑🤝🧑. It is very good for dogs. Zhouzhuang's night view 🎑 is still as beautiful as in memory. During the Spring Festival holiday, I had a great time in Zhouzhuang for three days and two nights.
First the drizzle in the middle of the Sanqing Mountain and then the sunny day to visit Huangshan, in my mind, I feel that Sanqing Mountain is more than Huangshan, especially the West Coast scenery is really lingering, intoxicating.
Zhouzhuang is worth a visit. When you come to Suzhou, you will definitely think of visiting the surrounding ancient towns. When you mention the ancient town of Suzhou, you will definitely think of Zhouzhuang. When I left, I read the online reviews and strategies. I really said everything. I think it’s better to experience it yourself and see it for real. Go straight to Zhouzhuang early the next morning in Suzhou. Come into Dezhuang, walk along the river and enjoy the scenery of Zhouzhuang. At the same time, arrange the route according to the layout of the two horizontal and vertical shafts in Zhouzhuang in your brain, and miss a horizontal or vertical as little as possible. On the basis of arranging the marching route, the important punching points introduced in the guide should also be activated and matched with the actual attractions. For example, the shape of the key, the Zhouzhuang sound of the double bridge at home and abroad, "the car from the door forward, the boat from the home" Zhang Hall, the magnificent treasure pot home Shen Hall, the charming rocking boat in the south of the Yangtze River, of course, there are writers Sanmao patronized Sanmao teahouse. Especially worth mentioning is that the female boss of Sanmao Tea House is particularly hospitable and left a good impression on us.
Zhouzhuang is indeed the first water town in China. Compared with Xitang, Wuzhen and Tongli, Zhouzhuang is really simple and natural. The commercial atmosphere is not so strong. The river boats meet, the local residents are washing by the water, the ancient bridge is staggered, and the smooth blue slate upstream people are like weaving. The proprietress of the riverside restaurant warmly recommended specialties. Wansanhoo is really delicious. The breakfast shop next to the road is mellow. The Ozao noodles and Wansan noodles are also very delicious. The innkeeper is also very enthusiastic. He knocked on the door in the middle of the night and asked if we needed to add a quilt... Zhouzhuang, I have a water town in the south of the Yangtze River forever top1.
I went to Zhouzhuang Ancient Town on the first day of the New Year, and the tickets were half price. Arrived at the entrance of the scenic spot at about 11:30, and the people queuing to enter the scenic spot were about 500 meters, with a total of three teams. After entering the ancient town, the number of tourists was not too large. I heard that the number of tourists in the next few days increased. To be honest, the beauty of the ancient town of Jiangnan Water Town is similar, and there is already aesthetic fatigue. The river here is cleaner than other ancient towns.