Suzhou Zhouzhuang Ancient Town Scenic Area

Spot Facts

1. Memorial Archway (South Gate)

   Start · Entrance

   Enter the town from the old archway at the South Gate and walk about 300 meters north along Nanshi Street to reach the Twin Bridges in the east of the old town. Shide Bridge spans the North-South Market River while Yong'an Bridge lies across Yinzi Creek; one runs horizontally and the other vertically, one arch square and one round, joined to resemble an ancient lock—hence the name "Key Bridge," the most photogenic waterside scene in Zhouzhuang. Why this route: The Twin Bridges are the symbol of Zhouzhuang. In 1984 painter Chen Yifei created the oil painting Memory of My Hometown based on the Twin Bridges, bringing this water town to world attention—and since then it has been known as "China's No. 1 Water Town."
2. Twin Bridges (Shide & Yong'an)

   about 170 m (straight line) from the previous stop · Sight

   From the Twin Bridges walk west along Beishi Street for just over a hundred meters to reach the Ming-dynasty Zhang Residence. Originally named Yishun Hall, it is said to have been built by descendants of Xu Mengqing, younger brother of Xu Da, Prince of Zhongshan, in the early Ming, and later passed to the Zhang family. The house has seven successive courtyards stretching deep, but the finest part is the rear garden: a small stream runs right through the house, and here you can witness the water-town marvel of "sedan chairs at the front door, boats passing through the home." Why this route: The Zhang Residence's "boats passing through the home" is the ultimate expression of life on the water. The indoor channel connects to the outer waterways, so boatmen can row right through the hall—a vivid sense of daily life in a Jiangnan water town.
3. Zhang Hall (Yuyan Hall)

   about 110 m (straight line) from the previous stop · Sight

   Leaving the Zhang Residence, walk south along Nanshi Street a short way to the Shen Residence, facing east with seven courtyards and five gate towers. Built in the Qianlong era of the Qing by Shen Benren, descendant of Shen Wansan, it is hailed as "the finest of Jiangnan residences." The main hall, Songmao Hall, is grand and imposing, its brick-carved gate towers intricately layered, and the plaque reading "Jihou Liuguang" still hangs within—the largest surviving Ming-Qing mansion in Zhouzhuang. Why this route: Its owner Shen Wansan was the "richest man in Jiangnan" in the late Yuan and early Ming, and the legend of his treasure basin is known to all. Strolling the seven deep courtyards, you can admire the brick and wood craftsmanship of Ming-Qing architecture and imagine the rise and fall of this legendary merchant.
4. Shen Hall

   about 10 m (straight line) from the previous stop · Sight
5. Fu'an Bridge

   about 210 m (straight line) from the previous stop · Sight

   From the Shen Residence turn back north and walk 200 meters along Zhongshi Street to Fu'an Bridge. Built in 1355 (the 15th year of the Zhizheng era of the Yuan), it is a single-arch stone bridge with a bridge tower at each of its four corners—the only surviving three-dimensional bridge-and-tower structure in Jiangnan. Tea seats are set inside the towers; lean on the railing to watch boats come and go on the Zhongshi River, white walls and dark tiles reflected in the water—a fine place to rest and sip tea. Why this route: The four corner towers of Fu'an Bridge are unique among Jiangnan water towns. From the tower you take in the creak of oars below and the everyday life on both banks—the best spot for photographing water-town scenes and for a leisurely cup of tea.
6. Mi Lou (Maze Tower)

   about 250 m (straight line) from the previous stop · Sight

   Cross Fu'an Bridge and walk north along Zhongshi Street to the waterside Milou ("Labyrinth Tower") by Zhenfeng Bridge. Built in the late Qing, it takes its name from the Southern Society writers Liu Yazi, Chen Qubing and others who often gathered here to drink and compose poetry. Today the ground floor is a teahouse displaying Southern Society materials, and opening the window reveals small bridges and flowing water. With time to spare, visit the adjacent Chengxu Taoist Temple, the only surviving Taoist shrine in Zhouzhuang. Why this route: Milou was a spiritual corner for modern Jiangnan literati. Southern Society poets met here over wine and verse, giving the tower its name—a waterside spot that shows both everyday town life and refined literary heritage.
7. Chengxu Taoist Temple

   about 80 m (straight line) from the previous stop · Sight
8. Quanfu Temple

   about 160 m (straight line) from the previous stop · Sight

   From the Pavilion of Self-Infatuation, head south through the entire old town, exit the South Gate and cross the bridge to Quanfu Temple on the shore of South Lake. First built in 1086 (the first year of the Yuanyou era of the Northern Song), the temple rises tier upon tier beside the lake, its yellow walls and dark tiles mirrored in the water—hence its name, the "Buddhist Kingdom of the Water Town." From the front you can gaze across misty South Lake, its surface thick with lotus leaves, as chanting and the sound of oars mingle. Why this route: Quanfu Temple is Zhouzhuang's "Buddhist Kingdom of the Water Town." Yellow walls and dark tiles reflect in South Lake, halls nestle against the blue water, and morning bells and evening drums accompany the creak of oars—adding a tranquil, Zen touch to a bustling water-town trip.
9. Water-Lane Boat Quay

   about 200 m (straight line) from the previous stop · Sight

   From Quanfu Temple, double back to the water-lane boat dock on the south side of the old town and board a rowing boat. The boatwoman works the oar as the skiff threads between the waterways of Yinzibang and the North-South Market River; covered walkways, stone embankments and riverside windows slide past, with soft Wu dialect and the sound of oars in your ears. About half an hour later you land near the South Gate, completing the loop of the old town. Why this route: The water-lane boat ride is the soul of Zhouzhuang. Only on a slowly gliding rowboat, listening to the boatwoman hum Wu folk tunes and watching the water town by lantern and oar-light, will you truly understand "small bridges, flowing water, and homes."

Things to Note