- China Destination Guide

click to learn more about financial protection

china map showing location of Zhouzhuang

Introduction...

The oldest of the water towns that are outside of Shanghai, Zhouzhuang is celebrated throughout China as the "Venice of the East" which is, perhaps, a little of an exaggeration. Its network of canals is very pictureque though and has inspired painters and poets for generations and more lately the famous Chinese artist Chen Yifei whose 38 canvases where exhibited in New York just as China was opening up in the early 1980s, putting Zhouzhuang on the map.

What there is to see...

The twin bridges (Shuang Qiao) are the most famous view of Zhouzhuang (and the one painted by Chen Yifei). They were built in the mid-16th Century during the Ming Dynasty.
Fuan bridge, built in 1355, combines being both a bridge and also a tea room from where you can contemplate the view.
To see how weathy local people lived during the Qing dynasty you can visit Shen house which dates back to 1742. Zhang house is another option.
Chengxu Taoist Temple was built during 1086-1093 of the Song Dynasty and is considered an architectural masterpiece of its type.

Trips we offer that include Zhouzhuang...

Currently we only arrange trips to Zhouzhuang as part of a itinerary.

Best time to Visit...

There is no, no go time for Zhouzhuang although the summers are hot and wet. If you can, avoid weekends and public holidays when it seems half the considerable population of Shanghai decides to pay a visit.