Zhouzhuang

Brief Introduction

Zhouzhuang is a tiny water town not far away from Suzhou Zhouzhuang lies at the middle between Shanghai and Suzhou, is an ancient town of Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, where abounds with rivers and lakes. So it is thought by many to be the best waterside town in China.This ancient town has a history of more than 900 years old with many houses built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. There are about 100 houses with courtyards, and 60 of them have arch gateways made by carved bricks.

With lakes on four sides, the beauty of Zhouzhuang is specially to be found along the waterside lanes and around a number of the stone bridges. A different vista at every turn can be found here. All those make a visit most enjoyable. Also, one can enjoy the fairyland atmosphere of the evenings here when the myriad stars twinkle as though in communication with the glittering lights.

Transportation

Zhouzhuang has no airport nor 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 7:05 am to 5:00 pm every 20 munites. Shanghai-Zhouzhuang: There are around 7 buses heading for Zhouzhuang from Shanghai Long-distance Bus Station daily.

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 provide you a quite memorable experience.

Local Transportation: vehicles including bicycles are not allowed within the town and small boats are the only transportation tool there.

Accommodations

Most of the star-grade hotels in Zhouzhuang are in the New City Area and there are many of them, including the Zhouzhuang Hotel, Zhouzhuang Grand Hotel, Yunhai Resort and much more. To meet budget need, a lot of private guesthouses have been built.