Words written earlier

This is a late travel note. I went to Zhouzhuang Ancient Town to watch the Lantern Festival on the Mid-Autumn Festival. Later, I was busy, and the travel note was delayed. I went to Zhouzhuang the other day, and found that most of the lanterns were still kept. I'd better sort out and record the travel notes.

Do you still remember the night of the Mid Autumn Festival? The ancient town in the water town was bustling with people, and it was difficult to stand still to see the Mid Autumn Festival lanterns. Nowadays, the lantern festivals and lanterns in the water town are still dazzling, but there are fewer people. Why not take a night trip to Zhouzhuang during peak hours and enjoy a beautiful time in the water town alone!

On the Mid Autumn Festival, the night in Zhouzhuang becomes extremely gentle

The night silence of Zhouzhuang is like water, outlining the hazy outline of the water town, like a lilac girl slowly walking in the depths of the alley, wanting to cover up but still feeling shy, pure with a hint of charm, inadvertently intoxicated for thousands of years, not knowing where to come from, not asking where to go!

The early autumn in Zhouzhuang is slightly cool and humid. As night falls, the lanterns are lit up, and the moonlight falls amidst the sound of oars and the shadows of the lamps. The water waves create a dense cloud and smoke.

The dazzling lantern group of the annual Mid Autumn Festival lights up for the first time, depicting the most magnificent picture in the night of Zhouzhuang, a water town. The long corridors on both sides are brightly lit, and a bay of river water is blue in the sky.

During the Mid Autumn Festival, the moon is bright and clear, and we enjoy the best season in the world. The most memorable time is in Jiangnan, where the moonlight is thick in the water town. If the gentlest tenderness in the water town is half in the rain alley, then the other half is in this lingering night.

Tang style remains, Song water depends on it; The bright moon is in the sky, and the lights are dim! So as soon as Mid Autumn Festival arrived, the night in Zhouzhuang became extremely gentle!

Beautiful Night in Water Town - Zhouzhuang Ancient Town

The pure white moonlight falls on the water, reflecting the lights on both sides of the river. Zhouzhuang cleverly incorporates the unique elements of the Jiangnan water town into the gentle night. This year's lantern festival has set up large lantern groups at the entrances of the archway and Nanhu Bay. In the core area of the scenic area, in order to preserve the original water town culture to the greatest extent possible, a stunning night scene of the water town is depicted using water systems as the framework, ancient towns as the canvas, and modern light and shadow art as the brush.

01 Ancient Archway Welcoming Guests

The area from Zhouzhuang Ancient Archway to the vicinity of Zhaobi is the first large-scale lantern gathering area of the lantern festival. On Quanfu Road at the entrance of the ancient archway, eight semi-circular arches are arranged one after another, and a school of fish leaping in the sky in the night is highly characteristic of Jiangnan.

The lightbox on the lamp post showcases the beauty of water town life, showcasing the unique charm of Zhouzhuang culture and customs while enjoying the lanterns and moon, based on the eight customs of Zhouzhuang such as shaking fast boats and farming wealth, as well as traditional festivals.

Inside the ancient building, a large set of emerald green lotus picking lanterns under the moon catches the eye. The clever combination design of lotus flowers and leaves flexibly showcases the summer lotus picking customs and agricultural life in the water town before people's eyes.

The bright moon shines in the sky, and flowers bloom in all directions, surrounding the entire map of Zhouzhuang Ancient Town on the screen wall, creating a festive atmosphere in the water towns of Jiangnan.

02. South Lake: Autumn Moon Drunk in the Clear Breeze

South Lake Bay is another area where large lanterns are concentrated. On both sides of the pedestrian walkway, there is a lotus pond composed of lanterns. The pink lotus flowers are exceptionally beautiful in the night, and a pair of swans are lingering in the lotus bushes. The purple water curtain fountain dances in the sound of ancient music, and the seven lamp pillars shaped like oil paper umbrellas in Jiangnan symbolize the beautiful meaning of the prosperity of the motherland.

03. Fishing, farming, and reminiscing about the past

Fishing and farming are the stories of the people of Zhouzhuang, which have been repeated and passed down for over 900 years. Humanistic and folk stories are the most profound heritage of this water town.

From Fuhong Bridge in the ancient town to Taiping Bridge, along the way are fishing nets, fishing lanterns, and water town elements, showcasing the natural scenery of Zhouzhuang's fishing and agricultural life.

04. Hemei Xinfengshui Township

From Quangong Tower to Longxing Bridge, the pink walls and black tiles on both sides of the North and South City Rivers are like grand canvases, depicting various scenes of water towns and beautiful life, such as swaying fast boats, listening to Kunqu opera, flying kites, etc.

Four newly decorated lantern boats traverse the rivers of the north and south cities, themed around the four seasons of spring flowers and rain alleys, summer night fishing, autumn harvest, and winter spring ox hunting. With small bridges and flowing water, the four seasons cycle, showcasing the vibrant life of the Jiangnan water town.

05. The sound of oars, the light and shadow of a tour of Zhouzhuang

Like dust and jade, the moonlight in Jiangnan is like a boat singing. In the bright moonlight, one can sit on a hand rocking boat. The Jiangnan tune rings in the night, and the flower lights on both sides are arranged in rows, blending with pink walls and black tiles, water alleys and bridges, and old streets and ancient houses, melting into the simple water town life.

Night fishing, night moon, night play, night painting, night celebration, night banquet, night meditation, night berthing... The new night scene of Zhouzhuang, a water town, depicts a picture of the authentic night life scene of Zhouzhuang with "eight nights".

The two light and shadow shows, Night Fishing and Night Moon, were particularly stunning. The clam river fishing song vividly showcased the vivid scene of fishing songs singing at night; The South Lake Bay Light and Shadow Show reproduces the eight scenic spots of "Autumn Moon in South Lake", "Snow in Dongzhuang", "Wild Goose Falling in the Farm", and "Thoughts of the Water Bass" in Dengzhou Village, which is amazing and enchanting!

Night Moon - South Lake Bay

Night Theatre - Ancient Stage

Night Painting - Shuangqiao

Night Celebration - Zhang Ting

Night Banquet - Shen Ting Restaurant

Night Zen - Quanfu Zen Temple

Night Mooring

One Family on Both Sides - Taiwan Old Street

The Zhouzhuang Tourist Center is surrounded by flower lanterns, with deer representing Kunshan and architecture representing Taiwan. Using tea cups as carriers, modern and fashionable lantern art is used to interpret the open, integrated, and innovative Kunshan story and Taiwan's unique culture, composing a magnificent chapter of "both sides of the Taiwan Strait, with the same root and source".

▶️ Water Town in the Picture - Zhouzhuang Tourist Center

▶️ Cross Strait Moon Appreciation - Within Taiwan's Old Street

On the rushing harbor under the Zhouzhuang Bridge, boats still shuttle back and forth, and the Yunhai Pagoda standing by the river also lights up. The Moon Bright Zhouzhuang Lantern Group below the tower, with elements such as the moon, Zhouzhuang architecture, and fishing boats, depicts the beautiful scene of a small bridge flowing with water and houses, and flowers blooming with moonlight.

The old street in Taiwan, facing across the river from the Yunhai Pagoda, is also brightly lit at this time, and on the shore is one of the eight scenic spots of Zhouzhuang, which is built using ancient boats and waves - setting sail in the rushing water.

Yueming Zhouzhuang

Sailing in the rushing water

The Zhuguang of Xianjiang River reflects the rich aquatic resources of Xianjiang Bay, which inevitably reminds people of the delicious three treasures of Xianjiang River.

From the old streets of Taiwan to Qizhuang in Xiangcun, the lights were shining all the way, and the trees on both sides of the connecting road were covered with colorful lights. The heart of Zhouzhuang appeared beautiful and romantic in the night.

At the Shuangma traffic light intersection, it is shaped like a flower basket, decorated with flowers and pigeons around, creating a festive atmosphere. Passengers stop and take photos.

Rural Joy Hi, Xiangcun Qizhuang

The mottled moonlight shines on the countryside of Xiangcun Qizhuang, with slender willows swaying in the gentle breeze and frogs singing softly in the fields. The Mid Autumn Festival in Xiangcun is also shrouded in a peaceful festive atmosphere. Traditional large colored lights can be seen everywhere, and the lanterns are all composed of rural elements, depicting agricultural scenes and local culture everywhere. Melons, fruits, vegetables, and frogs together perform a rural concerto, and the beautiful countryside is about to emerge in the night!

Xiangcun Qizhuang - Xiangcun Entrance

Entering Xiangcun, the trees on both sides of the main road are adorned with colorful lights shaped like butterflies, stars, persimmons, and other elements, as if walking into a dreamy starry time and space.

Autumn is the season of harvest, and the cartoon fruit design creates a lively and lively harvest atmosphere. Mobilization of Vegetables and Fruits - Xiangcun Lawn

Apple Paradise - Xiangcun Lawn

In the fragrance of rice flowers, the sound of frogs fills the air. In the pond in front of the Xiangcun study, flower lanterns shaped like lotus leaves and frogs are connected, full of rural childlike charm.

Pink walls and black tiles, bamboo fences, old stone mills, and old cows plowing the fields... are the most familiar scenes in the countryside and unforgettable memories of childhood. Large lamp groups are distributed around the lawn of Xiangcun Village in Zhouzhuang, showcasing a warm rural life.

Several groups of fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, corn, and pumpkins are distributed on the village square to create a fruit house for visitors to rest. In the pumpkin house, there is also a dance machine that can interact and show off one's dance moves on summer nights.

The heart-shaped corridor in Xiangcun is decorated with small colorful lights, shining like stars in the night sky! Walking through such a romantic corridor, one can definitely encounter happy love, even children are excited to run back and forth in the corridor.

Lighthouse check-in guide

Each set of lanterns in Zhouzhuang is very unique, and we would like to recommend a few of the most beautiful check-in spots for everyone. Remember not to miss them!

01. The best check-in point for the lantern festival

Zhouzhuang Ancient Town: Archway Wall Area, Nanhu Bay, West Main Gate of Autumn Moon Garden, and Riverside of Nanhu Fish Market

Taiwan Old Street: Hometown of Stars in the North of Zhouzhuang Bridge

Xiangcun Qizhuang: Ginkgo Avenue, Xiangcun Lawn, and Heart shaped Corridor

📷 Shooting location: Xiangcun Qizhuang Heart shaped Corridor

02. How to shoot the night scene of the lantern festival?

Lighting time for Zhouzhuang Lantern Festival: 18:00-22:00

Best shooting time for lantern: 18:00-19:00

At this time, it is the blues time, and the brightness difference between the sky and the light group is not significant, making it easy to capture and record the details of the sky.

03. How to take portraits of night scenes at the lantern festival?

Walking in the gentle water town at night, of course, one should leave their beautiful figure. The moonlight is like a torch, and the lights are dim, making it particularly suitable for taking photos. Leave your beautiful figure in the beautiful scenery! How can we take beautiful check-in photos?

1. Prepare clothing suitable for the scene.

Ancient costumes, cheongsam, Republic of China style, and artistic cloth leprosy all complement the water town atmosphere of Zhouzhuang. In addition, during the Mid Autumn Festival lantern festival, small props such as lanterns, lotus lanterns, and cold fireworks can bring a lot of agility to the photos.

2. When shooting, you can choose bright lighting as the background or foreground, especially the lotus picking song and other flower lantern corridors, which are very immersive. Of course, the water town atmosphere of pink walls, black tiles, and small bridges and flowing water is also an essential part of shooting.

3. Cleverly borrow lighting to add light to characters, such as flower lanterns or shop lights, and if possible, use a constantly lit light stick.

About Transportation

Zhouzhuang Ancient Town is 60 kilometers away from the city center of Shanghai, 38 kilometers away from the city center of Suzhou, and 30 kilometers away from the city center of Kunshan. Zhouqing Highway connects to National Highway 318 and is approximately a 50 minute drive from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.

1. Air travel: Generally, you choose to go to Shanghai and then take the high-speed rail or bullet train from the high-speed rail station at Hongqiao Airport to Kunshan, where there are direct buses to Zhouzhuang.

Kunshan Bus Terminal to Zhouzhuang:

Departure time from Kunshan: 6:44, 7:56, 9:26, 10:50, 12:25, 13:50, 15:22, 16:50

Return time from Zhouzhuang: 6:50, 7:50, 9:20, 10:55, 12:30, 13:50, 15:22, 16:37, 17:45

2. Train travel: Take directly to Kunshan South Station or Suzhou Station, where there are quite a few high-speed trains and high-speed trains, which are also quite convenient.

The entire journey from Kunshan Railway Station to Zhouzhuang is about 2 hours, 20 minutes, and 38.5 kilometers

Take Kunshan 27 bus from Kunshan Railway Station, get off at Kunshan Mobile Company Station, then take Kunshan 161 bus and get off at Zhouzhuang Bus Station

From Kunshan South Railway Station to Zhouzhuang: Walk to Kunshan Bus Station and take a tourist shuttle bus, the whole journey is about 2 hours and 20 minutes/34.8 kilometers. Walk from Kunshan South Railway Station to Zhongda Bailu Tianxia Station, take Kunshan 111 bus, get off at Weita Station, then take Kunshan 161 bus, and get off at Zhouzhuang Bus Station. Kunshan Route 161, bus service time: 6:00-17:30, ticket price: 7 yuan. Approximately every 10 minutes.

3. Automobile passenger transportation

There are tourist routes or regular passenger buses from Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou, Kunshan, Zhejiang and other places to Zhouzhuang.

4. Self driving travel

Surrounding areas such as Shanghai and Suzhou can choose to drive to Zhouzhuang.

5. Local transportation in Zhouzhuang:

The bus route from Zhouzhuang Bus Station to Zhouzhuang Town is 130, and the fare is 1 yuan. There are only cruise ships in the ancient town.