"Water" is the soul of Zhouzhuang, and "ancient" is the background color of Zhouzhuang.

Gray tiles and white walls, vertical and horizontal rivers, following the drone's perspective, I saw the endless artistic conception of this Jiangnan water town that often lingers in my dreams:

Stroll through Zhouzhuang, one scene at a time.

"Everyone says that Jiangnan is good, but tourists only like Jiangnan. The spring water is blue than the sky, and the painted boat listens to the rain and sleeps." There is no rain today, but you can sleep by listening to the wind on the Wupeng boat.

Compared with Zhouzhuang during the day,"Night Zhouzhuang" is more colorful.

Since 2017, Zhouzhuang has focused on developing night tours, using light and shadow technology and artistic design to light up Zhouzhuang's lakes, water alleys, small bridges, old streets, ancient houses, and famous temples. The cultural and creative lights of the Nanbei River and Yanhe Street will be connected in series into beads, forming eight characteristic night tour themes of "Night Fishing","Night Opera","Night Painting","Night Happiness","Night Banquet","Night Zen","Night Moon Moon" and "Night Park".

Each theme has a lot of origin."Night Painting" pays tribute to the traces left by famous contemporary art masters Chen Yifei and Wu Guanzhong in Zhouzhuang. The bells and Buddha's light of "Night Zen" connect Buddhist culture with Zhou Di Gong Lang's house. The legend of building a village...

The painted boat swayed and the lantern flashed. Sitting on the bow of the ship, slowly driving on the river in Zhouzhuang, listening to the sound of oars stirring the water, and listening to the occasional singing of the old lady from the shore... How could Zhouzhuang miss such a night?

The flower alleys and rain alleys at night are particularly touching, and the immersive light and shadow show makes us linger, and we understand the meaning of "there is a kind of life called Zhouzhuang".

Seeking wealth·Get involved in the wealth of Shen Wansan, the richest man in Jiangnan

Zhouzhuang not only has the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan, but also Zhouzhuang Shenting with Shen Wansan, the "God of Wealth" of Ming Dynasty, as its IP. Every New Year, even many foreigners like to come here to worship the God of Wealth and get involved in the wealth of the richest man in Jiangnan. Let's take a look at what wealth-seeking activities Zhouzhuang has?

[1: Find money cattle]
"Touch the head of the spring ox, and everything is a good start; second touch the spring ox tripe, and this year's bumper harvest is good; third touch the spring ox tail, and it bodes well throughout the year!"

Generally, we touch golden bulls in the ancient archway every year. This time we found this stone cow in the Shen Hall. Let's just pretend that it is the rich cow of the richest man's family! Remember, touch it from head to toe, and then to toe!

[2: Getting involved in wealth]

There is a Jubin Building on Zhenfeng Cultural Street (Zhenfeng 12th Square) in Zhouzhuang. Here, you can listen to Pingtan, taste "Cai" tea, and eat "Cai" cakes, and experience wealth in the leisurely leisure of the Jiangnan water town.

Pingtan singing program schedule:

Sitting by the window near the river, watching the wupeng boat passing slowly, drinking a bowl of "Cai" tea and eating a "Cai" cake, it's just so comfortable.

The cakes are still engraved with the words of daily gold!

[3: Looking for treasure]

Next, go to the God of Wealth Hall to look for treasure!

The God of Wealth Hall is like a themed amusement park, with many experience activities: a golden abacus, a cash cow, making money, opening a money box... There are many ways to play and full of wealth.

Shake off the small ball of the wealth box from the cash cow, open it and receive whatever prizes you see on the lottery ticket. Some are little Maitreya Buddhas, some are high-quality handicrafts... add a lot of joy to the New Year!

[4: Gathering wealth]

Shenting is a must-see place on Zhouzhuang's financial journey. Songmao Hall, Main Hall of Shen Hall:

Shen Ting's wealth path depicts Shen Wansan's life. We can listen to the legendary story of the richest man in Jiangnan here. We can also worship the God of Wealth, touch the cornucopia, throw copper coins, and hang a wish sign... I heard that I throw copper coins into money in the hall. I pray that my New Year's wealth will be effective ~

I hang up a wish sign here, praying that the epidemic will pass soon, that the New Year will have good weather and the people will be healthy.

Touch the cornucopia:

Walking inside, there are also many cultural and creative products worth buying: golden toads, golden ingots, golden abacus, cornucopia, etc.

[5: Taste of wealth]

How can I miss the myriad three hooves of Shenting Restaurant? The eight bowls here (Wansanti, Sanweiyuantang, etc.) are legendary delicacies that Shen Wansan banquets for guests. Tourists can taste the most authentic Wansan family banquet at Shenting Restaurant.

[6: Getting Money]

Follow the footsteps of the God of Wealth and cruise in the water alleys and experience the wealth of Wansan on the water. Whether it is Zhouzhuang during the day or Zhouzhuang at night, it is worth appreciating carefully.

[7: Worship the God of Wealth]

The God of Wealth Residence restores Shen Wansan's former residence and shows tourists the residence of the richest man in Jiangnan. There is also a huge bronze statue of Wan San in the courtyard. Tourists can worship the God of Wealth, drill through the copper coin gate, make wishes and pray, and get the wealth of the God of Wealth.

Recommended routes for the "Seven Days of Fortune" themed event:

[Line 1] Ancient archway to find wealth cattle-Zhenfeng Cultural Street is stained with wealth-God of Wealth Small Hall seeks wealth-Shenting gathers wealth-Shenting Restaurant tastes wealth-Wansancai Road Wharf walks wealth road (God of Wealth Home ashore)-God of Wealth Home worships God of Wealth Home

[Line 2] Ancient archway to find wealth cattle-God of Wealth Small Hall to find wealth-Shenting to gather wealth-Shenting Restaurant to taste wealth-Ancient Town Water Alley Tour Pier to walk wealth road (ashore on Cultural Street)-Zhenfeng Cultural Street to taste wealth

Folk custom·Zhenfeng Twelve Square

"Twelve workshops" refer to wine workshops, bamboo art workshops, tofu workshops, cake group workshops, iron shop workshops, woodware workshops, brick workshops, reed painting workshops, traditional Chinese medicine workshops, local cloth workshops, musical instruments workshops, and embroidery shoes workshops.

Today, this place is also called Zhenfeng Cultural Street.

The craftsmen on the street are still there, so you can go into the workshops you are interested in and find out.

In addition to Zhenfeng 12th Square, there are also several particularly famous specialty commodity stores on Cultural Street, of which Taihu Snow Silk is a representative.

Pastoral·Xiangcun·Poetic Scenery of Qizhuang

In addition to Zhouzhuang Ancient Town, we also went to Xiangcun Qizhuang, 7 kilometers away. It's really a free and poetic idyllic scenery here, especially in the evening.

Walking into the Village History Museum, on the right side is the planning and design of the entire Xiangcun Village. Xiangcun has an overall plan of 44 hectares and is equipped with supporting facilities such as a tourist reception center, farming culture exhibition area, and characteristic farming experience area. All the pictures in the museum are real-life maps of Xiangcun, recording the beautiful scenery of Xiangcun every season.

In July 2017, Xiangcun was rated as one of the top ten "Outstanding International Rural Tourism Destinations in China" and was the only scenic spot selected in Jiangsu Province; in the same year, it was rated as "Demonstration Site for the Creation of Characteristic Pastoral Areas in Jiangsu Province."

Not far from the Village History Museum is the Xiangcun Bookstore. The balcony is close to the lake. Behind it is a Xiuzhen pet park, which is very suitable for bringing children to play. The Bookstore also provides small straw hats and pigments for children to paint.

Haha, the "little meatball straw hat" drawn by my friend is so beautiful, but why is my "clock straw hat" so childish...

In the bookstore, it is also good to bask in the sun while reading, or have a simple afternoon tea.

Night view of Xiangcun:

Miju·From the 1960s to the 1900s

When traveling in Zhouzhuang, you have many hotels/B & Bs to choose from.

First, you can live in Xiangcun. Xiangcun·Qizhuang B & B was renovated with the theme of "Time Show". There are several B & Bs of different eras and different styles. The keyword for the building below is "the richest man's home".

The appearance is normal, but there is a unique hole inside, especially this global limited edition BMW motorcycle that is older than me.

The layout inside also completely maintains the style of that era. Looking at the decoration, you can tell that the owner must be cool and trendy.

This B & B below is the only bungalow B & B in Xiangcun, and its style is from the 1960s.

There are old-fashioned TVs, sewing machines, oil lamps, etc. in the room:

I heard that the courtyard wall was the old wall in the past, and it was specially treated and cleaned during renovation. There are roses in the courtyard, which were planted when the house was built. It has been 20 to 30 years now. Light pink flowers bloom every year. They are very beautiful. Unfortunately, I haven't seen them in the middle of winter.

In addition to the time-sensitive B & Bs that preserve the old times, Xiangcun also has modern B & Bs,"Future House".

"Future House" has a smart magic mirror/smart audio-visual system/smart HVAC system, which supports the "lazy environment" with "intelligent comfort". It has an intelligent control center, intelligent gateway, intelligent curtain system, home appliance control system, and intelligent audio-visual system. The six major home systems of the system and smart HVAC system are B & Bs that are more in line with the paradigm of modern pastoral life.

Of course, it is also the most expensive one ~

Due to the modern design, the entire B & B has very good lighting and simple and generous internal layout.

Second, in the ancient town of Zhouzhuang, two B & Bs are recommended: Chun Perch Zhi Si and Latte Wanshi Art Inn (formerly Carton King).

In addition to its delicacies such as water shield and perch soup, the B & B environment is also particularly good. The balcony of the room is visible to the South Lake. The staircase design is unique, which is very suitable for taking photos and checking in.

Latte Wanshi Art Inn is a "close to the water tower and the first to get the moon". It is just outside the Zhouzhuang River view, not far from the ancient town of Zhaobi, Shenting, Wansan Water Financial Road, and Nanbei City River.

There are various kinds of wrought iron works on the walls of the B & B:

Food·The collision of traditional food and fashionable and creative dishes

Zhouzhuang's delicious food is endless for a while.

[Wansanti] is a traditional food that we eat every day for three days in Zhouzhuang. No restaurant has failed. The chef seems to be telling tourists: If I don't know how to cook Wansanti, what should I do as a Zhouzhuang chef?!

[Recommended restaurant 1: Shenting Restaurant]

The traditional Zhouzhuang dishes in this house are very durable, and the eight bowls (Wansanti, Sanweiyuantang, etc.) are legendary delicacies that Shen Wansan banquets for guests. Tourists can taste the most authentic Wansanjia banquet at Shenting Restaurant.

[Recommended restaurant 2: Thoughts of Ulch Perch]

"Chun" is water shield soup, and "perch" is perch chowder. It comes from "Jin Shu·Biography of Zhang Han":"When Han saw the autumn wind rising, he thought of wild vegetables, perch chowder soup, and perch chowder chowder in Wuzhong, and said: 'Life is expensive and convenient. How can you hold an official for thousands of miles to gain a reputation?' So he ordered him to return. "

Later, ancient people used "water soup and perch" and "thinking of water and perch" to describe homesickness.

This restaurant specializes in water beri perch soup.

[Recommended restaurant 3: Quangong Building]

In addition to special traditional dishes and cakes such as Wansanti, you can also try this creative dish that combines tradition and fashion next to Xianjiang Bridge.

Surfing perch (soup thief stick), shrimp with flame salt, cherry yam, baked eel pot, crispy glass pigeon in abalone sauce, white rabbit with swan crisp, healthy homemade black tofu...

All kinds of dishes are full of color, aroma, creativity and creativity, which attracts people's attention. They are especially suitable for young diners to come and enjoy the delicious food while checking in. The average person is less than 200.

Zhouzhuang's pastries are also good. Qingtuan, Dingsheng Cake, Brown Sugar Cake, Plum Blossom Cake... I specially asked the owner of the bakery shop. She said that "back-supporting cake" is the favorite of the local people."back-supporting cake" was originally circulated among the elderly. It said,"If you eat it, you can support your waist, and your waist will not hurt or sore." I thought it meant "if you eat it, you will have someone to support you"!

If you are interested in making pastries, tourists can also go to Xiangcun Tofu Shop to learn how to make these pastries. The aunt of Xiangcun Tofu Shop is very cute and teaches carefully.

Oh, don't forget the stinky tofu at the night market:

Transportation Tips

When visiting Zhouzhuang during the epidemic, it is best to land in Jiangsu. Due to epidemic prevention and control in Shanghai, it is impossible to take a taxi to Zhouzhuang across regions. Therefore, if you land at Shanghai's airport, you can only take the high-speed train to Kunshan or the subway (Line 17) to Dongfang Oasis. Then take the bus (Demonstration Area No. 8) to Zhouzhuang... It's quite troublesome.

about the author

Still the silly little card relative during the journey;
It's still the little card who wants to turn his travels into a documentary after returning home.

Pay attention to me and see the world with me!