Zhouzhuang - Venice of the East

I have visited Zhouzhuang. Zhouzhuang (Chinese: 周庄; Pinyin: Zhōuzhuāng) is a town in Jiangsu province, China. It is located within Kunshan county-level city, 30 km southeast of Suzhou. Zhouzhuang is a small town on the Jinghang Canal, which links Suzhou and Shanghai. Zhouzhuang is a popular tourist destination. Zhouzhuang is entitled “No. 1 Water Village in China” or “Venice of the East”. Zhouzhuang is well preserved over 900 years, renowned for its century-old traditional houses and stone bridges over the flowing streams and canals. It is one of the most famous water townships in China, noted for its profound cultural background, the well preserved ancient residential houses, the elegant watery views and the strong local colored traditions and customs. It was once a flourishing port, specializing in silk, pottery and grain. It attracted scholars and officials who built fine bridges and houses between the Yuang and Qing eras. The charming Old Town can be explored on foot or via a boat tour on the canals.
Besides Zhouzhuang, actually in Jiangsu Province there is another water village, i.e. Tongli. However, Zhouzhuang is more famous than Tongli. This is due to Chen Yifei’s "Memory of Hometown", which depicted the Twin Bridges, was one of the items on display on an exhibition and has gained the world's attention for Zhouzhuang in 1984. The painting was chosen to be the first-day cover of the United Nations' postage stamp in 1985.

Twin Bridges (Shuang qiao)

Zhouzhuang is surrounded and divided by lakes and rivers. 14 stone bridges cross the rivers, showing distinctive views of the water-town. The Twin Bridges, which comprise of Shide Bridge and Yongan Bridge, are the most famous and are considered the symbol of Zhouzhuang. Built in the Wanli era (1573-1619) of the Ming Dynasty, the Twin Bridges are located in the northeast of the town. Shide Bridge is east-west and has a round arch, while Yongan Bridge is north-south and has a square arch. Crossing the two crisscross rivers (Yinzi Creek and Nabeishi River) and connecting at the middle, the Twin Bridges look like an 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 depicted the Twin Bridges, was one of the items on display and has gained the world's attention for Zhouzhuang.

Shen House

Built in 1742 and located at the southeast side of Fuan Bridge, Shen House was the private property of the descendant of Shen Wansan, the first millionaire of Jiangnan (South of Yangtze River) in the early Qing Dynasty. The whole architectural complex is of the Qing's style and occupies an area of more than 2,000 square meters (half an acre). Over 100 rooms are divided into three sections and each one is connected by arcades and aisles. The first is the


water gate and the wharf, where Shen's family moored boats and washed clothes. The middle part includes the gate tower, the tearoom and the main hall. Bricky gate tower carved with lively and ingenious figures which tell the historic stories or show the good wishes, make it a rareartwork. Tea room and main hall are places for serving guests, and the furnishings in here are all very elegant. The last section is the two-storied dwelling which consists of several buildings which are quite different from the main hall, more comfortable and refined in pattern and atmosphere. The painted sculpture of legendary Shen Wansan is in Datang Tower; cultural relics


including ancient folk instruments are exhibited in Xiaotang Tower and Back Hall.

Zhang House

Built by Xu's family in the Zhengtong era (1436-1449) of the Ming Dynasty and bought by Zhang's family in the early Qing Dynasty. Located to the south of the Twin Bridges, Zhang House has more than 70 rooms and takes up about 1,800 square meters (less than half an acre). With Ruojing River flowing through, Zhang House is a dapper and graceful residential house; has a tranquil courtyard and pond. Deep halls all represent the life of the quondam owner.

(Source: Wikipedia and DK - China)



Note on the pictures:


(1) Old port to connect Zhouzhuang and Suzchou
(2), (3), (4) Sightseeing boats on the numerous canals
(5) Houses on the banks of the canal


(6) Bridges to connect two banks

(7) Zhouzhuang canal from the above's view
(8) Houses near the canal


(9) Kevin and me on the Twin Bridges
(10) Shen's house - visitor's room
(11) Shen's house - closed friend visitor's room I


(12) Shen's house - closed friend visitor's room II
(13) Shen's house - another room
(14) Shen's house - opium table

(15) Shen's house - statue of Shen Wansan
(16) Shen's house - dining room

(17) Shen's house - servant room
(18) Shen's house - traditional juicer

(19) Shen's house - accountant's table
(20) Zhang's house - in front

(21) Zhang's house - visitor's room
(22) Zhang's house - another room I

(23) Zhang's house - another room II

(24) Zhang's house - another room III
(25) Me in the Zhang's house garden


(26) Zhang's house - study room