An early morning view of Zhouzhuang. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
It is possible to see the best of Zhouzhuang in just 24 hours.
5:00—7:00
Early risers can enjoy the morning sunrise over the iconic water town. Visitors can breathe clean, fresh air all year round.
A traditional Zhouzhuang breakfast served at a local restaurant. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
7:00-9:00
There's no better way to start the day than with a traditional Zhouzhuang breakfast. Local specialties include A Po Cha and characteristic snacks such as Choudoufu (fermented bean curd), luobosibing (turnip cake) and Haitanggao (Chinese flowering crabapple rice cake).
Yifei Zhi Jia, a gallery transformed from local houses near the Twins Bridges in Zhouzhuang. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
9:00-11:00
Visitors could visit Yifei Zhi Jia, a gallery transformed from local houses near the Twins Bridges in memorial of a notable Chinese painter and observe the books, paint brushes and manuscripts belonging to the great painter.
It was in 1982 that Chen first visited Zhouzhuang. What he saw then reminded him of his hometown. Marveled at the town's views, Chen said that Zhouhuang is "beautiful when seen from different angles".
Two years later, the painter visited Zhouzhuang again and crafted a picture, which was later exhibited among some 38 canvases by him in a New York gallery.
Memory of Hometown, which depicted the Twin Bridges in Zhouzhuang, was one of the pieces on display and garnered world attention for Zhouzhuang since then.
Shen Ting Jiu Jia, a century- old tavern in Zhouzhuang. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
11:00-13:00
The "Wansan's Family Feast" served at Shen Ting Jiu Jia, a century- old tavern in Zhouzhuang is highly recommendable for lunch. The feast named after Shen Wansan (1330–1376), the richest man in the Jiangnan area (the southern regions of the Yangtze River) during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), was a well-known delicacy to entertain loyal and wealthy friends during annual festivals at that time in Zhouzhuang.
The banquet was composed of eight courses, including Wansan pork shank, braised mandarin fish, fried eels in brown sauce and stewed winkles.
13:00-15:00
A group of craftsmen in the water town are putting their masterful skills to work to prove they are a cut above the rest, in an era where it is often thought mechanization prevails.
Visitors to the famous water town could observe these craftsmen at work at 12 workshops located on Zhenfeng Cultural Street.
Jubinglou, a famous restaurant in Zhouzhuang. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
15:00-17:00
At Jubinglou, visitors are able to enjoy Pingtan, a kind of storytelling and ballad singing in the Suzhou dialect while tasting tea.
Quietly melodious singing, and magnificent apparel and accessories make the place a magnet for many a weary travellers to take the weight off and immerse themselves in the ancient water town's local culture.
At Nanhu Jiusi, gulping a jug of wine coupled with some snakes would make them forget all their worries.
Specialty dishes served at Chunluzhisi Resort Hotel in Zhouzhuang. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
17:00-19:00
As night arrives, visitors could relish Jiangnan dishes-Chuncai, an aquatic plant called water-shield, and lu, or four-gilled perch, a kind of fish found in the Yangtze River Delta- at Chunluzhisi Resort Hotel.
The hotel, perching on the shore of Nanhu Lake in Zhouhzuang, is noted for serving dishes with river fishes as main ingredients.
A dusk view of Zhouzhuang. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
19:00-21:00
Visitors are able to enjoy the unique night view of Zhouzhuang, as the renowned ancient town has rolled out a night tour service recently.
The cruise route passes by numerous attractions including Fu'an Bridge, Zhang House, Twins Bridge, Zhouzhuang Ancient Opera Stage, Quangong Bridge and Zhouzhuang Museum.
A corner of Cartion King creation park in Zhouzhuang. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
21:00-23:00
At Cartion King creation park, visitors could either explore a world made out of cartons or enjoy a cup of beers while immersing in music.
The fountains with colorful lights at Nanhu Lake. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
23:00-1:00
At Nanhu Lake, the largest lake in Zhouzhuang, visitors could enjoy fantastic fountains with colorful lights.
A chic homestay in Qibang village in Zhouzhuang.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
1:00-5:00
Zhouzhuang has a choice of excellent hotels catering to travelers on any budget and homestays in its Qibang village done out in the styles prevalent in the Chinese countryside in different eras in Qibang might also set them back in time.
(source:chinadaily.com.cn)
