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Luzhi Ancient Town

Luzhi Ancient Town

Written by Kelly PangUpdated Jul. 17, 2023
Luzhi Ancient Town

With a history of over 2,500 years, Luzhi Ancient Town is located in Taihu Lake Basin, 25 kilometers (16 miles) southeast of Suzhou. It's built along the river, earning itself the title of "Pearl of the Five Lakes".

  • Chinese: 甪直古镇 Lùzhí gǔzhèn /loo-jrr goo-jnn/
  • Area: 75 square kilometers
  • Age: over 2,500 years
  • Must-sees: Baosheng Temple, stone bridges, and ancient ginkgoes
  • Suited to: photography fans, architecture fans, Chinese culture fans of all ages
  • Time needed: one day

Luzhi Ancient Town has gestated a glorious culture in the course of history, boasting very rich and colorful tourist resources, especially the historical cultural relics.

It is among the first batch of China's National Historical Famous Cultural Towns. It's a great pleasure to stroll through the town to appreciate its ancient bridges, ferry boats, and ancient ferry crossing.

Highlights

Baosheng Temple

Initially known locally as Baoshenjiao Temple, Baosheng Temple was built in the fourth year (503) of the Emperor Jingming's reign of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386–557). Nine statues of arhats, sculpted out of clay during the Tang Dynasty (618–907), are enshrined in the temple. They are still intact despite being exposed to the elements for over 1,000 years.

The "Buddhist Statue Exhibition from Various Dynasties" is available in the Heavenly King Hall of the temple, and it exhibits 56 statues of Buddha made from bronze, stone, porcelain, and jade.

The Buddhist statues fully represent different styles ranging from the Northern Wei Dynasty to the Six Dynasties (220–581) and then to the Ming (1368–1644) and the Qing (1644–1911) dynasties.

Stone Bridges

Stone Bridge

Luzhi Ancient Town also features many bridges over rivers. Over 70 bridges of the Northern Song (960–1127), the Yuan (1271–1368), the Ming, and the Qing dynasties existed, however, only 41 still remain due to being out of repair for so many years.

The quaint bridges are different from one another in their shapes and styles; some are wide with many arches, some are narrow with only one arch, and some are well-decorated. However, most of them are level bridges for the convenience of the locals, and there are five double bridges connected at right angles in the town.

Numerous men of insight have said with a tinge of emotion after visiting Luzhi Ancient Town: "It is just like visiting an ancient bridge museum to visit the bridges in the town, because its density of bridges has surpassed that of Venice in Italy".

Ancient Ginkgoes

As a symbol of Luzhi Ancient Town, the ancient ginkgoes add much luster to the town due to their robust branches and sense of history.

There are seven ginkgoes in the town, the oldest of which is over 1,300 years old and 50 meters (164 feet) high. It still stands today, against the wind and the rain.

Traditional Clothes for Women

Women in Luzhi Ancient Town wear traditional clothes of a local flavor, including split-joint blouses, trousers, and skirts. They wear their hair in a bun, with a matching skirt and embroidered shoes, so they are particularly eye-catching compared with those from Shanghai and Suzhou.

The traditional clothes are very popular among the local women of 40 years old and above, and it's also rather impressive to see them dressed in this way in the markets.

Travel Essentials

Location: Luzhi Ancient Town Scenic Area, Wuzhong District, Suzhou

Tickets: 60 yuan for adults, 30 yuan for seniors and children between 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) and 1.4 meters (4.6 feet) tall; and free for children below 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) in height.

Where to Stay

You are highly recommended to spend a night in the town due to the ancient atmosphere which is more profound at dawn and dusk. Both villas and civilian residences are suitable for guests.

Luzhi Ancient Town is very close to Suzhou, therefore, travelers can also return to Suzhou to spend the night due to the convenient transportation.

Transportation

By Air

No airport is available in Luzhi Ancient Town; however, travelers can get to Shanghai first by air, and then stop at Luzhi Ancient Town by taking a sightseeing bus leaving for Suzhou from Shanghai Pudong International Airport or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.

By Bus or Train

  • From Suzhou to Luzhi Ancient Town:

Take bus 18, 52, 518, 521, 525, 526, or 563.

  • From Shanghai:

1. Bus 806 leaves for Luzhi Ancient Town from Shanghai Zhongshan Bus Station every half an hour, and it takes about two and a half hours to complete the journey.

2. The sightseeing buses leaving for Suzhou are available daily at gate number 2 at the Shanghai Hongkou Gymnasium (telephone: 021-56963248), Shanghai Stadium (telephone: 021-64265555) and Shanghai Yangpu Sports Center (telephone: 021-65803210).

  • From Hangzhou:

1. Take a bus from Hangzhou East Bus Station to Suzhou South Bus Station, and finally take bus 52.

2. Take a train from Hangzhou Railway Station to Suzhou Railway Station, and then take bus 518 to Fucheng North Road. Finally, walk for a few minutes to Luzhi Ancient Town.

  • From Nanjing:

1. Take a bus from Nanjing Bus Station to Suzhou Bus Station, before taking bus 52.

2. Take a high-speed train from Nanjing Railway Station to Suzhou North Railway Station or Kunshan Railway Station, and then take a taxi to Luzhi Ancient Town which will take approximately 25 minutes.

Tour Suzhou (including Luzhi Ancient Town) with China Highlights

China Highlights specializes in tailor-making tours of China. If you are interested in visiting Suzhou, see our most popular Suzhou tours. Or contact us and let us design your own unique China tour including Luzhi Ancient Town, based on your requirements.

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