Zhouzhuang 周庄 – The Most Beautiful Water Town in the World

粉墙黛瓦乌篷船、小桥流水古人家

On this Valentine’s Day, we visit the most beautiful water town in the world – Zhou Zhuang 周庄.

Welcome to the Venice of the East! Situated in Eastern China, roughly 100 km west of Shanghai, Zhouzhuang is China’s oldest water town, dating back to 1040. 

The Gondolas of Zhouzhuang

Unlike many of the other water towns in the area, Zhouzhuang is still occupied by the original settlers, who were fishermen. They lived on boats, which are one of the main attractions as most tourists go for the obligatory boat ride along the narrow canals. 

乌篷船大多在江中驶，行则轻快，泊则闲雅，或独或群，独则独标高格，群则浩浩荡荡。乌篷船是水乡的精灵，更是水乡的风景。

It was a completely different perspective seeing Zhouzhuang from the waters — it was peaceful and relaxing as our boats passed by the hordes of people, while the crowds watched us float by as if we were a spectacle.

During the ride, our boatman offered to sing us a couple of old Chinese songs in return for some tips; and we obliged him. It was a plus that he happened to be a pretty good singer. I was taken for a ride back to the ancient times for that little while.

The Bridges of Zhouzhuang

You do not need to take one of the gondolas to get great photos. There are more than a dozen stone bridges that cross the canals and make for great photos. The water town’s most famous attractions are its 14 bridges built during the Yuan (1271-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. Five bridges are not featured in this list, namely Zhenfeng Bridge 贞丰桥, Puqing Bridge 普庆桥, Tongxiu Bridge 通秀桥, Bao’en Bridge 报恩桥, Quangong Bridge 全功桥. Technically Quanfu Bridge 全福桥 is not in the traditional list as it is a brand new multi-arches bridge..

Fu’an Bridge 富安桥

With 19 stone bridges throughout Zhouzhuang, Fu’an Bridge stands out on account of its Yuan Dynasty heritage. First built in 1355, it has been restored and rebuilt several times, the last being in 1855 when granite stairs and ornate engravings were added in the style of the Qing Dynasty.

The Chinese name means “Abundant Peace”, and is particularly picturesque because it’s built between two buildings that extend almost to the water surface. It’s especially charming to see from a boat below.

Twin Bridges 双桥

Immortalised in 陈逸飞 Chen Yifei’s painting, “Memory of my Hometown” 《故乡的回忆》, the Key or Twin Bridges conjure up the ideal Zhouzhuang postcard. Eventually it became a good-will present to then Chinese premier Deng Xiaoping.

Not exactly twins, because one, Shide Bridge 世德桥, which stands for “Generations of Virtue”, was first built in 1573 while the other bridge, Yong’an Bridge 永安桥, which stands for “Forever Peace”, wasn’t completed until after 1619. However, both bridges cross just above the confluence of the rivers Yinzi and Nanbei and land on the same corner.

Viewed from downstream, the combination of the round arch that makes up Shide Bridge and the square arched Yong’an Bridge makes the two bridges look like an ancient key. Henceforth, they are also called “Key Bridge” 钥匙桥.

Taiping Bridge 太平桥

Taiping Bridge 太平桥, which stand for “Universal Peace”, is located at the eastern mouth of Hougang River, connecting Chenghuang Dam 城隍埭 and Xianjiang Street 蚬江街. It is single arch stone bridge with lotus patterns on the side, and was built during the Jiajing period of the Ming dynasty (1522-1566), with funds donated by local residents.

The bridge is cloaked with vines whose roots work their way between the stones. At one side of the bridge lies the former residence of Shen Tilan 沈体兰, featuring coarse plaster walls, a pitched roof, gables and windows without glass panes.

This would be the second most photographed bridge in Zhouzhuang after the Twin Bridges. And if you get your angle right, you would be able to capture all three bridges in the same frame.

Qinglong Bridge 青龙桥

Qinglong Bridge 青龙桥, which stands for “blue dragon” was rebuilt in 1993, and is the bridge closest to the new entrance of the water town right behind the stone wall mural.

It was said that when you crossed the Qinglong Bridge, you came to the pastoral life of Zhouzhuang. The sunrise was gentle, the chickens and dogs barked, and the stoves were lit. The women washed the laundry in the river, and the old man brushed his teeth with an enamel jar. It was a quiet and simple life. 

Tiyun Bridge 梯云桥

Tiyun Bridge, also known as Tang Bridge, was built in 1764 as a single-hole beam-type stone bridge with granite.

A famous movie by director Zhang Yimo 张艺谋 and actress Gong Li 巩俐 called 《摇啊摇，摇到外婆桥》(English name: Shanghai Triad) was shot in Zhouzhuang. The Grandma Bridge 外婆桥 in the movie is the Tiyun Bridge in Zhouzhuang. Later, the moniker stuck to the Tiyun Bridge.

Another special feature can be found next to the bridge along the canal. A fence made with bamboo railings held together with stone hedges called 穿竹石栏 is something unique to water towns, and this is the most intact ones in Zhouzhuang.

Xianyuan Bridge 蚬园桥

Rebuilt in 1993, Xianyuan Bridge is also a stone beam bridge, with a pair of stone lions at the head of the bridge on both ends. Beneath the bridge is full of gondolas parked along the canal.

Fuhong Bridge 福洪桥

Fuhong Bridge, located at the western mouth of the Back Lane, is a stone-beam bridge. The stone bar in the middle of the bridge is engraved with symmetrical patterns surrounding the three Chinese characters “福洪桥” for Fuhong Bridge in the centre. Local residents often call it Hong Bridge 洪桥. The bridge was rebuilt in the reign of Emperor Kangxi of Qing Dynasty (AD 1644-1912).

Longxing Bridge 隆兴桥

The reflection of stone arches, the gurgling water, and the houses along the river show their age and the mottled stone walls are glowing orange with the reflecting sunlight, Longxing Bridge was built between 1464-1487, and rebuilt in 1995.

Wandering the streets and alleys takes you back into a different era. The views and occasional smells make you think of how idyllic life used to be in these Jiangnan water towns. Perfect location for a day trip from Shanghai or even better, stay a night to enjoy a totally different perspective and no crowd!

About Zhouzhuang

Zhouzhuang 周庄 is a water town known for its canals in Jiangsu Province 江苏省, China. It is located within the administrative area of Kunshan 昆山, 30 km southeast of the city centre of Suzhou 苏州. The population is roughly 2,000 and non-residents must pay a fee to enter.

In its heyday Zhouzhuang was a trading center for silk, food and many handicrafts. Nowadays it relies on tourism and is one of the top ten visited destinations in China. CNN placed it on its list of the Top 10 most beautiful towns in the world.

You can go there as a day trip from Shanghai. Entrance fees apply, and you can go in 24 hours a day as there are bed and breakfast abodes in the town.

Visited July 2021