Zhouzhuang Water Town with Night Sunset Tour

Tour Itinerary

At around 3:00PM, our tour guide will pick you up at your hotel in Suzhou downtown or Suzhou train station, you will find a welcome signage "Suzhou Private Tour". And drive you to Zhouzhuang Water Town directly. It takes around 1 hour. Your tour in Zhouzhuang Water Town includes the following attractions and activities:

Our Suzhou Pick Up Sign "Suzhou Private Tour"

Zhouzhuang Water Town: Explore one of China's most cherished water towns – Zhouzhuang water town. Over 900 years old, Zhouzhuang Water Town is home to some of China's best-preserved water-village architecture from the Ming-and-Qing-Dynasty. Zhouzhuang's willow-lined waterways, traditional boats and ancient stone arch bridges offer a simple beauty virtually unchanged over hundreds of years. In the water town, you can enjoy the moment to take a boat to look around in the canal. 

Zhouzhuang's Twin Bridges (Shide Bridge and Yongan Bridge) which were built during the late Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and are considered to be the symbol of Zhouzhuang. Zhouzhuang is surrounded and divided by lakes and rivers. Many stone bridges cross the rivers, showing distinctive views of the water-town. The Twin Bridges, which are Shide Bridge and Yongan Bridge, are the most famous and are considered the symbol of Zhouzhuang.

Next, you will visit Zhouzhuang's Old Drama Stage which covers an area of 4,600 m2 (49,500 ft2) and comprises an opera stage, seating area and exhibition hall. This massive stage often features performances of Kunqu opera, one of the oldest forms of Chinese Opera, as well as other traditional opera from the southern regions of the Yangtze River. Marvel at the vault-shaped roof of the stage, made up of 420 wood carvings.

Later, you will move on to Shen House, the example of Zhouzhuang's distinctive historical architecture. Built in 1742 and located at the southeast side of Fuan Bridge, Shen House was the private property of the descendant of Shen Wansan, the first millionaire of Jiangnan (South of Yangtze River) in the early Ming Dynasty. The whole architectural complex is of the Qing's style and occupies an area of more than 2,000 square meters (half an acre). Over 100 rooms are divided into three sections and each one is connected by arcades and aisles. The first is the water gate and the wharf, where Shen's family moored boats and washed clothes. The middle part includes the gate tower, the tearoom and the main hall. Bricky gate tower carved with lively and ingenious figures which tell the historic stories or show the good wishes, make it a rare artwork. Tea room and main hall are places for serving guests, and the furnishings in here are all very elegant. The last section is the two-storied dwelling which consists of several buildings which are quite different from the main hall, more comfortable and refined in pattern and atmosphere. The painted sculpture of legendary Shen Wansan is in Datang Tower; cultural relics including ancient folk instruments are exhibited in Xiaotang Tower and Back Hall.

Your dinner will be arranged at a riverside Chinese restaurant, our tour guide will give you good recommendations on spot, feel free to let our tour guide know if you have any requirement, the tour is 100% flexible for you.

When night falls, the red lanterns of the ancient town are brightened; soft light gradually rises e from the flagstones and pleasant melodies can be heard filling in the air. One can encounter a quite different Zhouzhuang once the sun goes down. By sunset, Zhouzhuang has a sense of serenity as local residents go for evening walks and hum local folk songs. As the night falls, the ancient town looks beautiful under the lights.

Free on your own for a while until our guide transfer you back to your hotel in Suzhou downtown or Suzhou train station.

There are some useful tips for you to purchase train ticket between Shanghai and Suzhou:

From Shanghai to Suzhou:
Option 1: G7104 Shanghai Hongqiao Station to Suzhou Station: Depart at 08:54AM and arrive at 09:30AM
Option 2: G7006 Shanghai Station to Suzhou Station: Depart at 09:00AM and arrive at 09:25AM
Please choose one of the above options according to your hotel location

From Suzhou to Shanghai
Option 1: G7119 Depart at 17:56 from Suzhou Station and arrive at Shanghai Hongqiao Station at 18:32
Option 2: G7243 Depart at 18:02 from Suzhou Station and arrive at Shanghai Station at 18:27

Price Per Person in US Dollars