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Do you know the name of any city which is situated between canals connected to rivers and lakes? Not only this, here the boat sails from inside the house also? These boats are also the means of transportation for people. If you don’t know, then we will tell you about this city, where 600 years old bridges and houses are standing intact.
Humans have always established their homes and settlements around water, but there are some places where water not only becomes the basis of life but also becomes an integral part of culture and architecture. In such a situation, if we ask you, which is that city, where boats sail even from inside the house? Not only this, 600 year old bridges and houses are also standing as they are, do you know its name? If you don’t know, then let us tell you that Zhouzhuang, one of the most famous ‘water cities’ of China, is such a magical place. The city is located between Shanghai and Lake Tai, on the southern shore of Baixian Lake, about 55 kilometers southeast of Suzhou. The biggest identity of Zhouzhuang is the lakes and rivers spread around it, which completely surround it.
Let us tell you that Zhouzhuang is surrounded by a network of canals, which connect it to these lakes and rivers. Zhouzhuang’s beauty can best be experienced around the black-tiled white two-storey mansions along its waterways and its many stone bridges. It seems as if time has stopped here 600 years ago. The main attraction of this water city is its 14 ancient bridges, which were built during the Yuan (1271-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. Of all these bridges, Double Bridge or Twin Bridge is considered to be the most iconic and symbol of Zhouzhuang. This bridge is a wonderful example of architecture, in which two bridges are situated over a water stream forming a right angle.
It was first built during the Wanli period (1573–1619). Another important bridge is the Fu’an Bridge, which has the distinction of being the oldest bridge in Zhouzhuang, being built in 1355. About a thousand families live in Zhouzhuang, 60% of which were built during the Ming and Qing dynasties and are still very well preserved today. Especially two buildings attract the tourists coming here. The first is ‘Shen Ting’ i.e. Shen Hall Residence. Shen House, built in 1742, is located on the southeast side of Fuan Bridge. This property was the private property of a descendant of Shen Wansan, a millionaire of the early Ming dynasty. This two-storey mansion has more than 100 rooms and is spread over a vast area of 2,000 square metres. This house is divided into three parts.
The second important building is ‘Zhang Ting’ i.e. Zhang Hall Residence, which was built during the Ming Dynasty. This house is spread over an area of more than 1800 square meters and has six courtyards and more than 70 rooms. Its most special feature is that the Ruojing River actually runs through the middle of Zhang Hall, allowing small boats to enter the house directly from its rear courtyard. It is a wonderful example of architecture, which shows the co-existence of water and life. Zhouzhuang is a small town and can be easily covered in a day by gondola, rickshaw or on foot. There is a complete ban on motorized traffic in this entire city, due to which the peace and beauty of this place is maintained.
