Zhouzhuang, reputed as the Oriental Venice, is one of the most famous water townships in China. Located in Kunshan City in the junction of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai, it is 30 kilometers southeast of Suzhou in Jiangsu Province and about 60 kilometers west of Shanghai.
Zhouzhuang is surrounded and crisscross by lakes and rivers. 14 stone bridges cross the rivers, showing distinctive views of the water town. Twin Bridges are the most famous as considered the symbol of the town. Crossing the two crisscross rivers and connecting at the middle, Twin Bridges look like a Chinese old-style Chinese key. In 1984, 38 canvases of the notable painter, Chen Yifei, were exhibited in a New York gallery of Armand Hammer, chairman of Occidental Petroleum Corporation. "Memory of Hometown" which depicts Twin Bridges was one of the items on display and has gained the world's attention for the town. The painting was chosen to be the first day cover of the United Nations' postage stamp in 1985.
Zhouzhuang is noted for its profound cultural background, well-preserved ancient architecture, elegant watery views, enchanting narrow alleys and the unique folk traditions and customs. In 1998, Zhouzhuang was included on the World Cultural Heritage Candidates List by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Visitors to Zhouzhuang can spend the night in a restored mansion, eat in traditional restaurants, see performances of local operas, and watch craftsmen shape local handicrafts as they have for centuries. These amenities, combined with its unique charm and historic atmosphere make Zhouzhuang a memorable way to experience of the water towns and the China of centuries gone by.
Area Code: 0512
Zip Code: 215325
Location: Zhouzhuang Town is at the juncture of Kunshan city, Qingpu County in Shanghai and Wujiang city in Jiangsu Province, 38 kilometers southeast of Suzhou City and 33 kilometers southwest of Kunshan City.
Climate: Zhouzhuang enjoys typically subtropical climate with winds from southeast. Its annual precipitation is 1063mm, while hours of sunshine reach 2165 per year. The average annual temperature is 15.3 ºC. The lowest temperature is -5ºC in the coldest January. The highest temperature is 36ºC in July.
Area: 36 square kilometers (0.4 square kilometer in urban area)
Population: 22,000
dining
People often consider the scenes of “wander along the river, appreciate the ancient architecture of the Ming and Qing dynasties, enter the teahouse or restaurants and taste the country snacks” as the real description of dreamlike life in Zhouzhuang. Actually, besides the spectacular views in Zhouzhuang, the local food is also another temptation to visitors. It would be a pity not to have tasted the local food while visiting there.
Wansan Pig’s Upper Leg
Wansan Pig’s Upper Leg is famous dish promoted as the No.1 dish among all the dishes in Zhouzhuang. Shen Wansan, a renowned rich man south of the Yangtze River, had used a pig's upper leg as an indispensable dish to treat distinguished guests at his banquets, thus earning the dish its current name. In this dish, the pork from pig’s upper leg is chosen as the material. With specially-made flavorings, it is cooked or steamed in brown source in a terrine for 24 hours. The cooked pork is very tender and easily boned. The soup, which turns red, is saline and sweet. Though, this dish looks fat, yet not greasy. It suits to the taste of all different people.
Three-Flavor Meatballs
Three-Flavor Meatballs is another delicacy in Zhouzhuang. The first step of making this dish is to wash dough made from wheat flour in water until the starch is rinsed away, leaving only the gluten. Then, the gluten is made into small, thin and round pieces. Later, fillings made from chicken meat, fresh prawns, pork, shallots and ginger, as well as rice wine are packed inside these pieces, and then made into round balls. They are boiled in chicken soup until well done. It looks crystal-clear and tastes delicious.
A Po Tea (Granny's Tea)
Zhouzhuang also has a time-honored tea culture. A Po Tea in Zhouzhuang enjoys a high reputation among all water towns south of the Yangtze River. As an old saying goes: As no one can boast about his visit to Zhouzhuang without tasting A Po Tea.
In Zhouzhuang, whether in urban or rural area, you will notice that some elderly women always gather together to drink tea. This custom was passed down from generations to generations and was called drink “A Po Tea”. All the people in the town are fond of tea, but they are fastidious about their tea-making methods. For instance, tea sets must be old, water is required to be boiled in a pottery jar and the fuel should be either bamboo or tea tree branches. The correct way of making tea is like this: put some tea leaves in a teapot or cup, pour a little hot water, wait a few minutes, and then infuse boiling water to make the tea. When people sample tea, they often as drink and eat melon seeds, tender boiled beans, candied fruits and pastries among other delicacies.
Pickled Vegetables
With the popularity of A Po Tea, various tea dishes, such as Pickled Vegetables, emerge. People collect fresh rape in late spring, then dry it in the sun. Before being completely dried out, however, they are put into an earthen Jar, then sealed and put into an airtight storage space. Several months later, the rape can be taken out and eaten directly, or used for cooking and in soup.
shopping
People in Zhouzhuang are all clever and deft. During the over 900 years’ history, they have developed many traditional arts. Zhouzhuang bamboo weavings, bronze braziers, teapots and etc are the representatives.
Bamboo articles and bronze braziers have also won enormous acclaim for Zhouzhuang. The durable bamboo articles is known far and wide for its fine workmanship, while the exquisite bronze braziers of many shapes once won a prize in the South Pacific Industrial Expo and the reputation of "Zhouzhuang Braziers”.
entertainment
The entertainment in Zhouzhuang is simple and full of local flavors. You may enter a teahouse nearby the river to taste the tea while enjoy the sightseeing along the river. Or, you may come to the little theater, which actually is only a stage, to watch the Kun Opera performance.
And also, you can hire a boat for a private tour on the water of the little town at 80RMB. All these gondoliers could effortlessly navigate the boat along the little river and going underneath the little bridges. Some of the gondoliers would even sing a local love song for you, and let you play with his age-old musical instrument if you are lucky enough. You may try to paddle the boat yourself.
transportation
Zhouzhuang has no airport or railway station and the town can only be reached via highway or water.
Buses
Zhouzhuang is very accessible via bus. There are many buses from shanghai and Suzhou to Zhouzhuang.
Suzhou-Zhouzhuang: A bus leaves from Suzhou north long-distance bus station from 7:05am to 5:00pm every 20 minutes.
Shanghai-Zhouzhuang: There are about 7 buses heading for Zhouzhuang from shanghai long-distance bus station daily. There are also tourist buses which leave from Shanghai Stadium. They appear to leave approximately every half hour in the morning. There are at least buses at 9:00 Am, and probably as early as 7:00 Am. Round trip tickets to Zhouzhuang cost 140RMB, which include the 100RMB fee to enter the tourist area of Zhouzhuang and the sites therein. The bus takes about 90 minutes, and leaves Zhouzhuang around 4:00 Pm, giving you 5.5 hours in the town.
Ferries
Zhouzhuang is connected by the Jishui River with Shanghai and Hangzhou. Visitors from Hangzhou can travel along the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal to get to Zhouzhuang. Travel via that waterway may slow, time-consuming and exhausted but the riverside country scenery probably provides you a quite memorable experience.
Inner Town Transportation
Vehicles including bicycles are not allowed within the town and small boats are the only transportation tool there.
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Area Code: 0512.jpg)
People often consider the scenes of “wander along the river, appreciate the ancient architecture of the Ming and Qing dynasties, enter the teahouse or restaurants and taste the country snacks” as the real description of dreamlike life in Zhouzhuang. Actually, besides the spectacular views in Zhouzhuang, the local food is also another temptation to visitors. It would be a pity not to have tasted the local food while visiting there. 
People in Zhouzhuang are all clever and deft. During the over 900 years’ history, they have developed many traditional arts. Zhouzhuang bamboo weavings, bronze braziers, teapots and etc are the representatives..jpg)
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The entertainment in Zhouzhuang is simple and full of local flavors. You may enter a teahouse nearby the river to taste the tea while enjoy the sightseeing along the river. Or, you may come to the little theater, which actually is only a stage, to watch the Kun Opera performance.
Zhouzhuang is very accessible via bus. There are many buses from shanghai and Suzhou to Zhouzhuang. 
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