Zhouzhuang water township China Travel Guide

Zhouzhuang, one of the most famous water townships in China, situated in Kunshan City which is only 30 kilometers (18 miles) southeast of Suzhou. It is noted for its profound cultural background, the well preserved ancient residential houses, the elegant watery views and the strong local colored traditions and customs. In the Spring and Autumn Period (770 - 476 BC), Zhouzhuang was a part of the fief Yaocheng and called Zhenfengli. After being donated to Full Fortune (Quanfu) Temple by Zhou Digong, a very devout Buddhist, in 1086 during the Northern Song Dynasty (960 - 1127), Zhouzhuang got its present name as a memorial of the donor.

Zhouzhuang is a town in Jiangsu province, China. It is located within Kunshan county-level city, 30 km southeast of Suzhou. Zhouzhuang is a popular tourist destination. It is one of the most famous water townships in China, noted for its profound cultural background, the well preserved ancient residential houses, the elegant watery views and the strong local colored traditions and customs. It has been called the "Venice of the East".

Related attractions:
Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden, Tongli Ancient Town, Luzhi Ancient Town, Suzhou Museum.

Address:
Zhou Zhuang Town, Kunshan City, Jiangsu, China.

Traffic:
(1). You can fly to Shanghai first, most Chinese airlines have direct flights to Shanghai. When you reach shanghai, you can choose the Guodao (national highway) 318 or Shangzhou Gonglu (secondary road) to Zhouzhuang.
(2). You can take the train to Shanghai, Suzhou or Kunshan first. There are tour buses heading to Zhouzhuang from these cities.
(3). If you wanna drive your own car from Shanghai to Zhouzhuang, you can choose this route: Huning Highway - Kunshan City Exit - Kunzhou Gonglu - Jinxi - Zhouzhuang.
(4). If you wanna drive your own car from Suzhou to Zhouzhuang, you can choose this route: Suhong Airport Street - Kunzhou Gonglu - Dashi - Jinxi - Zhouzhuang.
(5). There are tour buses connecting Suzhou with Zhouzhuang Railway Station. (7:00-17:00, available every 30 minutes) This trip takes 1.5 hours and the cost is 17.5 rmb for a person. The Suzhou North Bus Station (Suzhou Qichebeizhan) has tour buses to Zhouzhuang too. (7:05-17:05, available every 20 minutes, about 1.5 hours' ride, cost 17.5 rmb for a person)
(6). Shanghai to Zhouzhuang: You can take tour buses at Shanghai Bawanren Stadium.(7:00, 8:30, 9:05, 10:00, 10:55, takes 1.5 hours, cost 140 rmb for a person)

Zhouzhuang Dragon Dance:
Men of Zhouzhuang always play the black dragon and women play the yellow dragon during holidays. Lion dance is also very common.

Zhouzhuang Fast Boating:
This started in the Qing Dynasty. At first, it was the needs of war, and then people held races for celebrating the harvest and holidays, also for weddings. Farmers participate with their own boats, clothes, props, gongs and drums. Zhouzhuang now has dozens of travel boats for tourists to do sightseeing around.

Copyright owner: Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM . You can find more information about china travel, airlines, cheap flights, non-stop flights, direct flights from our web site. (This article written on 04/07/2011). Flights info: flights from detroit to jfk.