Zhouzhuang or Zhou Village(chinese:周庄, pinyin: zhōuzhuāng), one of the most famous water-towns in China, is situated in Kunshan City, 30 km southeast of Suzhou. Famed as No.1 water village in China with a 900 year history, Zhouzhuang is noted for its profound cultural background, well-preserved ancient residential houses, elegant waters and traditional lifestyle with a strong local flavor. The town covers an area of 3600 hectares. Most of its residential houses, about 60 percent of the total, were built during the Ming and Qing dynasties, during the period from 1368 to 1911.

This land of peace is like a water color painting, is like a clear gentle wind, Zhouzhuang offers one the feeling of entering the "time machine" leading the visitors totally away from the modern society.

Shen Hall and Zhang Hall are the most famous buildings in Zhouzhuang. Two persons whose surnames were "Shen" and "Zhang" built them in the Ming and Ch'ing Dynasties. The hall is spacious, and the columns are thick and strong. The back wall is a river revetment.

Overlooked from a higher ground, Zhouzhuang is coincidentally surrounded by lakes. Waterway interlocks freely in the village and bridges become the medium of streets. What worth of mentioning are several ancient bridges, on which tourists often cannot help walking repeatedly. Ten ancient bridges have been well preserved.

No matter big or small, round or straight, all of them are classic and refined.

"Double Bridges" are the most typical. Built in Ming Dynasty, the stone bridges are strong and simple. Stretching over Nanshi River and Yinzibang River, they are bridges made of stone arch and stone beam. The bridge opening one is round, and one is square. One bridge floor is horizontal, and the other is erected. It seems like two little rivers are locked tightly by a huge lock.

Compared with bright-colored big modern cities, Zhouzhuang is simple and elegant. Roaming in the streets or standing on the bridges, you will find all corner of Zhouzhuang are natural and beautiful.

Most constructions in Zhouzhuang were built along the river, and most of them are in a style that the front entrance wall is facing the street and the back wall facing the river. The streets of Zhouzhuang are very narrow. It can only hold 5 to 6 people standing side by side. There are many timber handcraft shops. Wooden bowls, chopsticks, straw sandals, genuine or antiques and refined watercolors depicting the scenery of south China.

Shen House(Chinese:沈厅；pinyin:shěntīng) was the private property of the descendant of Shen Wansan, the first millionaire of Jiangnan (South of Yangtze River) in the early Qing Dynasty.

Shen House was Built in 1742 as a private property of the descendants of Shen Wansan, the first millionaire in the area south of the Yangtze River in the early Qing Dynasty. It occupies an area of more than 2,000 square meters and has over 100 rooms divided in three sections. The first section includes the water gate and wharf, where the Shens moored boats and washed clothes. The middle section includes the gate tower, the tearoom and the main hall. The last section, which consists of several buildings in a different style, is comfortably furnished.

Twin Bridges, or the Shide Bridge and Yongan Bridge(Chinese:双桥；pinyin:shuāngqiáo), are the most famous and have been considered as the symbol of Zhouzhuang. The bridges were built during the Wanli reign (1573-1619) of the Ming Dynasty. Shide Bridge lies east-west and has a round arch, while Yongan Bridge goes north-south and has a square arch. Joining each other after crossing the two rivers, Yinzi Creek and Nabeishi River, respectively, the Twin Bridges look like an old-fashioned Chinese key.