Crisscrossed by rivers and canals, Zhouzhuang is a famous tourist attraction in Suzhou.

 

Located at the center of the regions south of the Yangtze River and situated near Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou, the millennium-old water town of Zhouzhuang is a must-see spot for tourists to the region.

 

Crisscrossed by rivers and canals, Zhouzhuang has been called "the best representative of China's water towns" by the famous Chinese Painter Wu Guanzhong.

 

Indeed, small bridges, flowing waters and riverside houses - the typical landscapes of Zhouzhuang - are something that Chinese artists have dreamed of and been enchanted by time and time again.

 

Because of its long history, rich cultural heritage and unique landscape, the town has won many awards from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and other international and national organizations. It is one of the "Five-A" tourist destinations in China.

 

Zhouzhuang's well-preserved ancient architecture is among its great attractions, and it includes temples, towers, bridges and residential houses.

 

Among the many old houses, the mansion of Shen Wansan is the most famous. Built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) as the private residence of a wealthy merchant family, the huge mansion clearly illustrates the lifestyle of the rich at that time. 

 

Zhouzhuang is also famous for its folk art and craftsmanship, thus becoming a window for showcasing the traditional culture of the regions south of the Yangtze River. 

 

 

(China Daily April 20, 2007)