Kunshan | The Beauty of Chinese Water Towns | The Poetic and Picturesque Zhouzhuang Ancient Town
The unforgettable scenery of Zhouzhuang is endlessly charming, like poetry and painting. Here's a guide to sightseeing:
1️⃣ Keywords: Small Bridges - Flowing Water - Household
Zhouzhuang, a national 5A scenic area, is embraced by a group of lakes, with Chenghu, Baixian Lake, Dianshan Lake, and Nanhu surrounding it. 'The town is a marsh country, surrounded by water on all sides' is its basic landscape, 'A few steps away, all require boats' is its way of life, 'Small bridges, flowing water, households' is its representative card; its unique geographical conditions have allowed it to avoid wars over the ages, and it still retains the original water town buildings and unique layout to this day. The cultural atmosphere and natural environment blend seamlessly, forming a harmonious beauty that is integrated as one. The famous painter Wu Guanzhong praised: 'Huangshan embodies the beauty of Chinese mountains, Zhouzhuang embodies the beauty of Chinese water towns.'
Zhouzhuang's reputation has long transcended national borders, with an excellent ecological environment, it has continuously won awards from the World Cultural Tourism Organization. It has been rated by CNN, a leading authority in world tourism from the United States, as one of the top ten most beautiful small towns in the world.
2️⃣ Keywords: Double Bridges - Chen Yifei
The Double Bridges consist of two bridges spanning two different directional T-shaped intersecting rivers; one is called Yong'an Bridge, and the other is called Shide Bridge; Yong'an Bridge is an arch bridge, Shide Bridge is a square-hole bridge, shaped like a key, hence also known as the 'Key Bridge'. They were built during the Ming Dynasty's Wanli era, witnessing over 600 years of Zhouzhuang's traffic and the change of seasons.
Chen Yifei, a Chinese-American painter, returned to his homeland for inspiration, came to Zhouzhuang, and painted an oil painting 'Memories of Hometown - Double Bridges', which was purchased by the American oil tycoon Armand Hammer; the next year, the oil painting 'Memories of Hometown - Double Bridges' was selected by the United Nations for its first-day cover, and since then the Double Bridges have become a carrier of Chinese culture and a symbol of the beauty of the Jiangnan water towns; Zhouzhuang has also become a representative of the ancient towns of the Jiangnan water towns in China, making a sensational debut in the world. It has been leading the Chinese tourism industry for over 30 years.
After Mr. Chen Yifei's death, Zhouzhuang town commemorated his contributions to the local people by erecting a monument for him and establishing a Chen Yifei exhibition hall.
Experience and Feelings:
The environment of Zhouzhuang is superb, relaxing and delightful, making the sightseeing experience fantastic! It's quaint and elegant, with a strong sense of human touch, highly interesting, and a very worthwhile attraction to visit.
Food Recommendation: Zhou Family Village Old Restaurant
Accommodation Recommendation: Mulan·Huayue Art Stay
Location: No. 43 Quanfu Road, Kunshan City, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province
Transportation: Convenient public transportation, parking available for self-driving, convenient and fast.
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.