A Refreshing Summer Journey: Walking through Zhouzhuang Ancient Town, a summer retreat in the ancient towns of the south of the Yangtze River

📍Zhouzhuang Ancient Town: Known as 'China's No.1 Water Town', it is one of the first national 5A-level tourist attractions and one of the six famous ancient towns in the south of the Yangtze River. It was named a Chinese historical and cultural town in 2003. I. Transportation Routes 1. Self-driving: Navigate to the parking lot of Zhouzhuang Ancient Town Visitor Center. 2. Public Transportation: • High-speed train: Departing from Shanghai, it takes 30 minutes to reach Kunshan Station by high-speed train, and then you can take a bus to the scenic area. • Coach: There is a direct coach to Zhouzhuang from the North Square Bus Passenger Transport Center in Suzhou. • Bus: Take the Suzhou Metro Line 4 to Tongli Station, then transfer to the Kunshan C10 bus to Zhouzhuang Primary School, and walk to the destination. • Subway: Take the Suzhou Metro Line 4, get off at Tongli Station, exit from the Southeast Exit 2, walk to the bus stop, and take the C10 bus to the scenic area. II. Ticket Information 1. Ticket price: 100 yuan per person, students, children, and the elderly can purchase half-price tickets. 3. Opening hours: 07:30-21:00. III. Tour Routes 1. Twin Bridges: Composed of Shide Bridge and Yong'an Bridge, one in the south and one in the north, one square and one round. Boats enter through the square hole and exit through the round hole, creating a unique aesthetic. 2. Zhang Hall: Originally named Yishun Hall, it is said to have been built by the descendants of Xu Ke, the brother of Xu Da, the Prince of Zhongshan during the Ming Dynasty. It was sold to the Zhang family in the early Qing Dynasty, renamed Yuyan Hall, and commonly known as Zhang Hall. After years of careful restoration, it has regained its original appearance. 3. Fu'an Bridge: Spanning the north-south river of Zhouzhuang, it is said to have been funded by Shen Wansan's brother, Shen Wan Si, who named it Fu'an to avoid the tragic fate of his brother. 4. Shen Hall: The residence of Shen Wansan, the richest man in the south of the Yangtze River, which houses a treasure basin. Shen Hall is one of the most famous ancient buildings in Zhouzhuang, with a complex structure and exquisite carvings, fully demonstrating the superb craftsmanship and profound cultural heritage of ancient architecture in the south of the Yangtze River. 5. Quanfu Temple: Here stands the Quanfu Pagoda, one of the iconic buildings of Zhouzhuang, offering a panoramic view of the entire ancient town. 6. Mi Lou: Located to the east of Mi Lou, it is a chess culture exhibition hall. It gathers various types of chess and chess manuals from the East and West, ancient and modern. A huge Chinese chessboard is set up in the central hall, with chess pieces on it, which is quite spectacular. 7. Qi Yuan: A room inside the building is dedicated to a wax museum, where figures such as Liu Yazi are sitting around a table, talking vividly with chopsticks in hand. IV. Food Recommendations Wansan's Pork Knuckle: A traditional delicacy of Zhouzhuang with a unique taste, a must-try. Ao Zao Restaurant: The signature dish of this century-old restaurant in Zhouzhuang is the Ao Zao noodles, averaging 20 yuan. V. Notes 1. There are many gates in Zhouzhuang Ancient Town. It is recommended to enter through the main gate and walk straight along the riverside. On the right-hand side, you will see the first bridge called Qinglong Bridge, and the name of this bridge is Taiping Bridge. 2. The Twin Bridges are the center of the entire ancient town, and other tour routes revolve around the riverside.