One of the finest of the water towns within easy day-trip range of Shanghai or Suzhou, Zhouzhuang boasts a stock of Ming, Qing and even Yuan Dynasty buildings that comprise some 60% of its total architectural heritage. Willow-lined canals flow past houses with whitewashed walls shaded by grey-slated roofs and carved, curving wooden eaves. From the right vantage points, the view isn't all that different from what Marco Polo might have seen on his visits to this part of China.
A small place, Zhouzhuang is worth a leisurely day of strolling through its cobbled lanes, taking a boat tour of the canals and visiting centuries-old treasures like the merchant villas the Zhang Residence (Zhang Ting) and Shen Residence (Shen Ting); Quanfu Temple (Quanfu Si); South Lake Garden (Nan Hu Yuan); and Chengxu Temple (Chengxu Daoyuan). There's also a fine museum featuring examples of traditional regional crafts and fishing implements. Note that entry to the town, including all attractions, is 100 RMB for the day. If you plan to spend a couple of days make sure to tell the ticket vendor who will direct you to an office to get a scan (saomiao). They'll sit you down and take your picture, which will be printed on the ticket for verification the next day.
Zhouzhuang map (English version)
Zhouzhuang map (Chinese version)
History
Zhouzhuang grew wealthy during the Ming Dynasty, profiting from its position on the Jinghang Canal. As the area prospered, the town became a favorite spot for merchants, scholars and officials to build extensive garden residences, several excellent examples of which can be toured today: the sprawling Zhang and Sheng Residences make it clear that the Ming aristocracy had it pretty good. In the late 1980s, the town was opened up to tourism, and it was declared a UN World Heritage site in 1998.
Climate
Spring and fall are the best times to visit Zhouzhuang, with moderate rains and temperatures making for pleasant outdoor weather. April and May see high temperatures in the mid-teens and 20s º C (60s and 70s º F ) and moderate precipitation. September is nice and October is brilliant, with little rain and highs ranging from the about 15-24 º C (70-84 º F). Summers are hot and muggy, with August highs reaching well into the 30s º C (90s º F), and winters chilly and damp, with lows occasionally dipping below freezing.
Zhouzhuang is generally considered a day-trip destination. If you're staying in Shanghai or Suzhou, it's possible to see most things the village has to offer and make it back in a day.
That said, there are still a number of charming places to stay. Most of Zhouzhuang's hotels are situated along the river and prices range from around 100 to 300 RMB a night.
Getting Around
The town itself can be easily traversed by foot, but getting there can take time and effort.
To and from Zhouzhuang
Zhouzhuang is only about 90 km (55 miles) via bus from downtown Shanghai. If you don't rent a private car, you can catch the public bus to Zhouzhuang at Shanghai Indoor Stadium. Eight buses depart daily between 7:30 a.m. and midnight and there are two buses that also depart from Hongkou Football Stadium one at 8:00 a.m. and the other at 9:00 a.m.
You can also take a train from the Shanghai Railway Station to Kunshan and take the bus from Kunshan to Zhouzhuang. Buses depart about every 12 minutes from the Kunshan Bus Station.
Once you arrive at Zhouzhuang Bus Station, you can take a taxi for about 10 RMB or pedicab for 3 RMB to the heart of town (which costs 60 RMB to enter).
Contact Information: Because the information provided is subject to change, you are strongly urged to confirm the times and schedules listed above before you travel. Useful telephone numbers are as follows (usually information is only provided in Chinese):
Bus center at Shanghai Indoor Stadium (021) 6426 5555
Bus center at Hongkou Football Stadium (021) 5696 3248
Shanghai Railway Station (021) 6317 9090/9510 5123
Shanghai South Railway Station (021) 6451 1039
Suzhou Wuzhong Qu Bus Station (0512) 6525 1088
Suzhou North Bus Station (0512) 6577 6577
Kunshan Long-distance Bus Station (0512) 5738 6789
Zhouzhuang's traditional handicrafts include Zhouzhuang zhubian (articles made of thin bamboo strips) and zhuanglu (bronze pieces ornamented with figures or pictures of flowers and birds).
Zhouzhuang teapots have a good reputation, featuring particularly vivid relief on the body of the pot.
You can also find Suzhou embroidery and pearls and other Yangzi River specialties. The typical souvenir shops selling paintings and other knicknacks are well represented.
Zhouzhuang's primary attraction is the town itself, and aside from periodic festivals, low-key teahouses and restaurants, there's not a lot going on in what is, after all, a small town on the water. The way to enjoy life in Zhouzhuang is to take a leisurely cruise in a boat, relax in a teahouse alongside a canal and see if you can't find a folk music or opera performance taking place. The Zhouzhuang Museum is worth visiting for a quick impression of the region's fishing culture and the usual arts and crafts can be found around town in various stalls, boutiques and small galleries.
Festivals & Events
Zhouzhuang is home to a number of colorful folk festivals and events, from frequent long boat races held on holidays and to celebrate marriages (teams consisting of some dozen scullers are driven by drums and gongs). Lantern races are also popular, with lantern-bedecked boats presenting a charming spectacle. During the Lantern Festival, held two weeks after the Chinese New Year, poles with "golden lanterns" are erected in Niulang Temple Square. The "lanterns" are actually packed with fireworks and are blown up during a pyrotechnic freakout that lights the town up quite nicely, delighting the crowds and scaring the evil spirits off for another year. Local festivals follow the Chinese lunar calendar, so be sure to check listings for dates and times.