周庄

Ancient Water Town

Twin Bridges

Fu'an Bridge with Towe

Shen Maion

Shen Waan and the Emperor

Zhang Maion

Ye Maion and Milou Tower

Temples

Household In

South Lake

Folk Customs

Handicrafts and Delicious Food

Scenic Spots

Accommodation

Local Delicacies

Plow to Get There

Ticket Price

The Taihu Lake Basin adjacent to Shanghai has a diversified water systemand damp climate and 1S rich in produce.The original inhabitants plantedrice and bred silkworms，and took advantage of the convenient water trans-portation there to develop trade relations both domestically and overseas.This Dart of the country 1S famous for its silk and herbal medicines.Sinceancient times，it has witnessed rapid economic growth，and has earned thenicknames“Heaven on Earth”and“Land FLowing with Rice and Fish.”Six ancient waterside towns in this area，namely,Zhouzhuang，Luzhi andTongli in Jiangsu Province，and Xitang，Wuzhen and Nanxun in ZhejiangProvince，are the most attractive representatives of age-old towns in south-east China.Waterways have shaped the ancient towns of southeast China，their streetsfollowing the contours of the waters and their houses built on riverbanks.Small bridges.smoothly flowing rivers and tranquil residential houses formthe typical natural Landscape of these towns.Winding streets and Lanes，ancient bridges and beautiful gardens contribute to a tranquil and simpleatmosphere.These towns’rich historicaI and cuttural legacies are embodiedin the venerable shapes of bridges，streets，Lanes，residential houses，ances-tral halls，temples and theaters，all with a distinctive local flavor.The philosophy of life in a waterside town emphasizes the harmonious unity ofNature and Man.The buildings appear simple，though inside they are usuallysplendidly decorated.and the luxury 1S not shown on the exterior.The main building matedal in these towns is wood，displaying fine carvings and otherdecorations.The scenery changes with the four seasons，yet the tranquilityand harmony,the smartness and elegance remaln unchanged.A stay in one of these age-old towns brings tourists a strong sense of history,and enchantsthem with graceful landscapes and a relaxing lifestyle.

Zhouzhuang embraces the beauties of all thewater towns in China-old bridges.traditionalbuildings and smalI streets on the banks ofwaterways.Its Shuangqiao Bridges （TwinBridges）became famous worldwide becauseof the painting Memory of Hometown bywell.known painter Chen Yifei（1946-2005）and its display in a New York gallery in 1984.Another bridge in the town，Fuan Bridge（Wealth and Peace Bridge），is the only existingstructure in southeastern China that perfectlycombines a single-arch bridge with a bridgetower.The town has many old buildings builtin Ming and Qing dynasties（1368-1911）.The best examples are Zhang Mansion，whichcould have"sedan-chairs entering frOm thefrOnt door and boats passing through the mansion,"and Shen Mansion，which consists of seven sections and five gateways.Other scenes of{nterest indude the mystery of underwater tombs at Silver Creek,the bell in Complete Fortune Temple.and fishermen returning home under the tight of Clear EmptyTaoist Temple.it would also be a wonderfullexperience to taste the delicious food offamily banquet of Shen Mansion，listen to Kunqu Opera singing at the Old Theate,sip a cup of Grandma Tea 1n a riverside pavilion，visit foik-artS shops on the Market Street，ortake a river cruise to view the beautiful nightscenes of the town and the river.