The ancient town of Zhouzhuang Water Town in Jiangsu Province is a fascinating place. The reporter came here twice in May 2004 and December 2012 to collect trends, so he was deeply impressed and left indelible memories.

Zhouzhuang Memorial Stone (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

The first time Zhouzhuang was during the May Day Golden Week in 2004. Reporters drove thousands of miles from Anhui to Jiangsu via Zhejiang. As a result, Zhouzhuang became the first Jiangsu gathering place to come here.

Photo taken on the first trip to Zhouzhuang (Photo: Wu Baozhu)

Unexpectedly, Zhouzhuang, the water town located in the hinterland of the Jiangnan water town between Shanghai and Suzhou, is an ancient water town with a history of more than 900 years in Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province. Relevant data records Zhouzhuang as follows: "The town is a Zeguo, surrounded by water and ports and bifurcated branches. Lakes and rivers are connected. They are so close to each other that they need boats. It's like a pearl inlaid on the bank of Dianshan Lake."

The lively alleys and shopping streets (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

On May 6, 2004, the day when the reporters and his party arrived in Zhouzhuang, it was the busiest day of the Golden Week. I saw a wave of tourists in the small ancient town. Whether it was the streets and alleys in the town or the banks of the water, there were surging people everywhere.

There is a wave of tourists along the coast (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Business on the commercial street of the town is very prosperous. The reporter saw a vendor selling a copy of the "Qingming Festival Shanghe Painting" calligraphy and painting to two foreign tourists. The two parties happily traded the deal for 50 yuan, without any bargaining process. People are immersed in the festive celebrations, hoping for joy and joy.

Boat rafting in the water town (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Stroll along the streets and alleys of the ancient town to the ticket office of the Shuixiang Wharf. I saw long queues of tourists here, and a boat that can take 6 people for 80 yuan. Many tourists who do not know each other spontaneously group up and share the price. The happy scene was very exciting. On the water in front of the dock, boats picking up tourists were also lined up in order. Although waves of tourists left by boat with smiles, the tourists waiting in front of the dock seemed to never end.

Zhenfeng Zeguo Memorial Arch (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Walking through the small bridges and flowing water in the ancient town, I saw many tourists taking photos on the shore with the fleet in the water as the background. From time to time, the beautiful songs of Jiangnan folk songs sung by male and female boatmen could be heard from the ships passing by each other.

Corner of the ancient town and water town (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

During the boating in the water town, there will occasionally be the cheers of tourists on the shore making jokes to relatives and friends in the boat. That kind of scene is really interesting.

Streets and alleys in ancient towns (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Although Zhouzhuang has gone through nearly a thousand years of vicissitudes, it still completely retains the style and pattern of the original ancient water town. The town is formed by a river and connected by bridge streets. Houses are built along the river, deep houses and courtyards, with heavy ridges and high eaves, a river port in Langfang, an arcade across the street, a bamboo and stone railing, and a water pavilion adjacent to the river. It is antique and integrated with the water town, presenting a simple and clean tranquility. It is a typical example of "small bridges, flowing water, and people's homes" in Jiangnan.

Photo taken by the stone bridge in the water town (Photo: Feng Ganjun)

In the sparkling water alleys, small boats sway gently and green shadows dance. Tourists who have returned to their original nature can not help but recite the famous line of the Yuan Dynasty: "Wu trees rely on Wu flows, and Wuzhong boats sail well."

Waterside Shop in Ancient Town (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

When traveling in Zhouzhuang, you don't have to worry about the price of food. Small restaurants are located inside and outside the ancient town. Jiangnan snacks are not only cheap, but also leave you with an unforgettable aftertaste. A variety of snacks, commodities and souvenirs with Jiangnan characteristics are dazzling in the town. The transaction was very hot, but the order was very good.

Busy water town dock (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

To be realistic, it should be said that this is due to the strict management of relevant departments of Zhouzhuang Tourism Co., Ltd. Although there are many locals and tourists in Zhouzhuang, it is rare to see unpleasant things happen between them. Everyone treats each other with courtesy. Zhouzhuang people welcome tourists from all over the world to visit this place with enthusiasm like fire. The happy atmosphere of living in harmony is filled with the peace of the festival.

The picturesque scenery of the ancient town (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

On December 2, 2012, the reporter made a second trip to the water town of Zhouzhuang Ancient Town. The reporters and his party drove off from Shanghai. After nearly two hours 'drive, the bus successfully arrived at Zhouzhuang Tourism Service Center.

A cruise ship waiting for passengers in the water town (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

I visited here for the second time eight years later. Although the reporter had a slight impression of it, the very standardized scene in front of the scenic spot still surprised the reporter. I saw that the clean parking lot was very open, and the beautiful tourist service center and ticket hall were spacious and bright. Looking at this situation, although my impression of the entrance of the scenic spot eight years ago has disappeared, what is certain is that it is by no means what it is today.

Photo taken during the second tour of Zhouzhuang (Photo: Sun Minghe)

However, the reporters really dare not flatter the cumbersome entry into the scenic spot next. According to the current regulations of the scenic spot, all tourists entering the scenic spot must take photos at the ticketing center. Only by adding a ticket composed of their own black and white image to the ordinary ticket can they enter. Although the photo taking time is not long, with this program, it will inevitably be delayed for a certain period of time. The reporter felt that if we were to catch the peak of tourists during holidays, this procedure might delay the time for tourists to enter the scenic spot.

Rocking boat (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

After entering the scenic spot, the reporter's memory was restored. It is still the view of the ancient town and water town that we saw eight years ago. Looking back on history, the ancient town of Zhouzhuang Water Town was officially named Zhouzhuang Town in the early years of Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty.

Watertown Lane (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Zhouzhuang is located southwest of Kunshan under the jurisdiction of Suzhou. It was called Zhenfengli in ancient times. If you want to choose the most representative water town in China, there is no doubt that it is Zhouzhuang,"China's No. 1 water town".

Water Tour in the Ancient Town (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Zhouzhuang, bred by thousands of years of historical vicissitudes and rich Wu culture, has become a treasure of oriental culture with its elegant water town style, unique cultural landscape, and simple folk customs.

Small bridges and flowing rivers and homes (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

As an outstanding representative of China's excellent traditional culture, Zhouzhuang has become the cradle of Wu culture and a model of Jiangnan water town. The ancient town forms a street along the river, connected by bridges and streets, has deep courtyards, heavy ridges and high eaves, a river port in Langfang, crosses the street and arcade, wears bamboo and stone railings, and faces the river and water pavilions. It is simple and quiet. It is a typical small bridge and flowing water house in Jiangnan.

Zhouzhuang Shenting Gate (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

After entering Zhouzhuang Scenic Area, everyone, guided by tour guide Xiao Wang, first followed one side of the river to the famous Shuangqiao. The Shuangqiao Bridge is located in the center of Zhouzhuang and consists of a stone arch bridge-Shide Bridge and a stone beam bridge-Yong 'an Bridge. The clear Yinyinbang and Nanbei Shi River meet to form a cross in the northeast of the town. The stone bridge on the river is built together, which looks very unique.

Waterfront houses (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Because the bridge deck is horizontal and vertical, and the bridge hole is round and looks like the keys used by people in ancient times, the locals call it the "key bridge". These two stone bridges were built between 1573 and 1619 AD during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. Shide Bridge was funded by Xu Songquan and Xu Zhuxi from Li, and Yong 'an Bridge was funded by Xu Zhengwu from Li. Shuangqiao is famous for appearing in the oil painting "Memories of Hometown" by painter Chen Yifei living in the United States.

Water town stone bridge (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

The Shuangqiao Bridge best reflects the charm of Zhouzhuang Ancient Town. It is clear of clear water, hidden by green trees, and the sound of small boats passing through the bridge holes. Taking photos near Shuangqiao, many classic Zhouzhuang water town scenery are basically distributed around. On and off the bridge, on both sides of the river, you can take beautiful scenery from a certain angle of Zhouzhuang from different positions. Standing on the side of the Shihe River and looking up, the key-shaped double bridges and the Qing Dynasty stone arch bridge-Taiping Bridge not far away can be photographed with one lens of three ancient bridges on the Shihe River.

The quiet alleys of the ancient town (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Boating in the water town of Zhouzhuang Ancient Town, cruise ships traveled through small bridges and flowing water. I saw many tourists taking photos on the shore with the boats in the water as the background. Every time you pass through a bridge hole, a scenery appears; every time you turn a bridge, there is another artistic conception, which forms a wonderful watertown style painting of "small bridges, flowing water, and people" from different angles. That kind of pleasing to the eye. The scene is really interesting.

Photo taken in streets and alleys (Photo: Sun Minghe)

Visiting Zhouzhuang not only allows you to see the beautiful scenery of the water town, but also allows you to admire the ancient cultural landscapes of Jiangnan such as the folk collection hall, the Yixitang Museum, and the former residences of local celebrities such as Zhangting and Shenting in the streets and alleys. These all constitute the characteristics of the integration of Zhouzhuang's natural beauty and unique cultural landscape. (Photo and text: Feng Ganyong)