My most anticipated time of the year, is the holiday season (Nov-Dec). One of my Chinese friends once told me that I may need 10 years or more, to Travel around the entire country. Well, I wish I could even if it requires 20 years! =)
On our way to Suzhou, we stopped by a town Zhouzhuang, in Jiangsu – a place I have never heard of before I Google’d.. Wikipedia called it the Venice of the East and I couldn’t agree more. The water town, some call it the Ancient Town where the heritage buildings and houses were well preserved, not to mention the beautiful scenery..
Zhouzhuang Entrance
We arrived at Zhouzhuang about 5pm and the sky is almost dark; very different from Malaysia where our sky turns dark only after 7pm. Maybe because it’s winter but anyway, an entrance fee of 100 yuan is applicable if you would like to enter the town before 7pm. What happens after 7? All shops and most of the restaurants are closed – YES – This is a dead town after 7pm. Not sure about normal season but in winter yes. So the night was wasted.
We went for dinner several shops away from the hotel that we stayed and went back to rest for the night.
This is the ancient style hotel we stayed for the night. It has 8 rooms total and I’m sure tourists will love it..
Like it? I do..
Some local food recommended by Google and other travellers:
Wansan Pork Knuckle
Reads as: Granma’s Tea
Zhouzhuang Beer
One funny thing we encountered over dinner that night was this songstress:
She came into our room and started to sing, some Chinese old folks songs and it costs 10 yuan per song. Total 2 songs.. continuously. Haha.. She sounded good, must be a professional when she was young though it was kinda awkward because we didn’t really wanted music but it was a nice experience afterall. As for food, the pork knuckle was nice and other dishes like vegetables, clams and chicken was just okay.
Here are some photos in the water town:
View from our room balcony..
This is a must visit place for travellers who appreciates heritage buildings and old style living. You can still see old women washing clothes by the river.
That’s all for now, I’m Patricia and you’re reading the ChinaTravel20.com – one of the best china Travel blogs, offered in English. =)
Tags: Jiangsu, Zhouzhuang
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Hi, Patricia, where have you been for a long time?
I like your post as usual.
btw, this is the first time to see the Zhouzhuang beer. and it is good to see the women washing their clothes by the river, it seems the river is not too bad.