Plan your Suzhou tour, Hangzhou tour, or Shanghai tour? It is highly recommended to have an excursion to Zhouzhuang Ancient Town (周庄古镇) either from Suzhou, Hangzhou or Shanghai. Zhouzhuang Ancient Town is known as the No.01 Water Town in China.
This over-900 year old water town has become a trove of oriental culture with its simple and pristine custom, unique folklore, the well preserved ancient residential houses and mesmerizing water town views.
Zhouzhuang Ancient Town is typical of all the water towns in Jiangnan (south of Yangtze River) in the triangle area of Yangtze River Delta. “Zhouzhuang” literally means “Zhou’s village”, a village named after Zhou Digong. Zhou Digong was a pious Buddhist.
In 1088 during the Northern Song Dynasty, Zhou Digong donated his 13 hectares of land to the local Fuquan Temple as its temple property. Later the local villagers called the land “Zhou Village” – Zhouzhuang in appreciation for Zhou Digong’ generosity.
How to get to Zhouzhuang Ancient Town
1. Suzhou – Zhouzhuang Water Town
You may take a long-distance bus to Zhouzhuang from the Suzhou Railway Station North Square Passenger Bus Station or from Suzhou North Bus Station.
Operating hour: 6:00 – 17:30
Bus ticket: RMB 17
When you arrive at Zhouzhuang Long-distance Bus Station, you still need to take a RMB10 taxi ride from the bus station to the entrance to Zhouzhuang.
2. Suzhou – Tongli – Zhouzhuang Ancient Town
You may visit Tongli Ancient Town and Zhouzhuanng on the same for a day trip from Suzhou. From Suzhou to Tongli, you can can take subway line 4 from Suzhou Railway Station and get off at the last station of Tongli ( 同里). The subway ride takes about 50 minutes.
After sightseeing in Tongli, take a half hour bus ride from Tongli Bus Station to Jiangze (江择). Jiangze County is only 300m away from Zhouzhuang, but Jiangze is under the administration of Wujiang District of Suzhou while Zhouzhuang is under the jurisdiction of Kunshan City.
3. Kunshan – Zhouzhuang Water Town
In Kunshan City, take Bus No. 133 to Zhouzhuang bus station, then transfer to Bus No. 261 to Xinpai Lou, then walk to Zhouzhuang Ancient Town.
4. Shanghai – Zhouzhuang Old Town
From Pudong International Airport station, take maglev to Longyang Road station, then interchange for metro Line 2, again interchange for line 11 and get off at Huaqiao station, then transfer to Zhouzhuang.
There are also direct shuttle buses to Zhouahzuang from Shanghai General Bus Station, Shanghai West Hongqiao Railway Station and Shanghai South Railway Station.
5. Hangzhou – Zhouzhguang Ancient Town
Hangzhou North Bus Station (Jiubao Passenger Transport Center): Take the bus from Hangzhou North Bus Station to Zhouzhuang.
It takes about 100 minutes to drive to Zhouzhuang ancient Town.
Entrance Fee: RMB 100
Enquiry: 4008282900
Complaint: 0512-57211654
Medical Care: 0512-57216107 (Day)
Medical care: 0512-57219990 (Night)
Virtual Tour of Zhouzhuang Ancient Town
Follow me to visit Zhouzhuang Ancient Town.
After visiting Tongli ancient water town, I walk to the Tongli Bus Station and jump on the bus for Jiangze (江泽）,the last stop of the bus line with a bus fare of RMB 1.
Taking a public bus from Tongli to Jiangze (江泽), which is only 300m away from Zhouzhuang Town.
The bridge is a division line between Zhouzhuang(周庄) and Jiangze County (江泽). I get off the bus and leave the bus station of Jiangze. I walk on my right side. Soon I come across a bridge which is said to be the divided line between Zhouzhuang and Jiuangze.
Crossing the bridge, soon I see a decorated archway inscribed with two big Chinese characters “周庄” – Zhouzhuang. It is the main street of Zhouzhuang Town leading to the main entrance to its old charming water town.
Entering the traditional archway, I find myself on the new town area of Zhouzhuang Town. The 4-story buildings line along the wide and clean main road in the town.
Soon I come arcoss a road direction sign pointing to the main entrance to the Zhouzhuang old water town.
Looking at the road sign, I turn to the right and stroll on a wide street leading to the main entrance to the water town. The street is teeming with street front shops and restaurants.
Wanshan Hock is one of the most delicious local flaovers. Wansan pork hock,named after Shen Wansan, the richest man in the late Yuan and early Ming Dynasty in Jiangnan.
A stone archway bridge with its reflection on the water and overhead willow trees falling over the bridge.
Tip: Hassle-free Jiangsu Guided Tours
If you don’t want to do a self-guided tour and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for organized tours to Jiangsu Province:
Suzhou Tour
Nanjing Tour
Jiangsu Tour
Further Readings
Top 10 Attractions in Suzhou
How to Visit Tongli Water Town
How to Visit Zhouzhuang Ancient Town
How to Visit Pingjiang Road in Suzhou
How to Visit The Garden of the Master of the Nets
How to visit Humble Administrator’s Garden
How to Visit Lion Grove Garden
How to Visit Canglang Pavilion
How to Visit Guanqian Street in Suzhou
4 Amazing Short Trip Ideas from Shanghai
Wuzhen Pictures – Wuzhen Photo Gallery
Zhouzhuang Pictures – Zhouzhuang Photo Gallery
Top 10 Attractions in Nanjing
How to Visit Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall
How to Visit Nanjing Confucius Temple-The Qinhuai River Scenic Area
How to Visit Zhonghua Gate Nanjing
How to Visit Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge
How to Visit Linggu Temple Scenic Area
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Music Stage
How to Visit Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum
How to Visit Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
How to Visit Nanjing Presidential Palace
Nanjing South Railway Station
Nanjing Taxi: Nanjing Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Suzhou Railway Station
Suzhou Taxi: Suzhou Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Any questions, just drop a line.
Suzhou or Shanghai to Zhouzhang which is nearer?
Hello Selina,
Zhouzhang is located between Shanghai and Suzhou. You can visit Zhouzhuang either from Shanghai or Suzhou.
Which is the best ancient water town to visit ?
Hello Wendy,
Personally, I think if you visit Zhouzhuang Water Town, then you don’t need to see other water towns in the region. Zhouzhuang is just fabulous!
how far is zhouzhuang from shanghai
Hello lorraine,
It is about 80 km west of Shanghai. You may take a bus or join in a local bus tour visiting Zhuangzhuang.
http://www.tour-beijing.com/shanghai_bus_tour/