Zhouzhuang Water Town

Welcome to Joe-jwahng, an ancient water town nestled at the intersection of Kunshan, Wujiang, and Shanghai. Often heralded as the 'Venice of the East' and the 'Number One Water Town in China,' Joe-jwahng is a living masterpiece…

We stand now before the most iconic landmark of Joe-jwahng: the Twin Bridges, known locally as Shuan-chiao. These are actually two separate bridges—Shide Bridge and Yong'an Bridge—that meet at a right angle over a confluence of…

Step inside the Shen House, or Shen-ting, the grandest residence in Joe-jwahng. Built in 1742 during the Qing Dynasty, this massive complex was the home of the descendants of Shen Wansan, the wealthiest man in the early Ming…

We now approach Fu'an Bridge, a structure that is unique even in a town of many bridges. Built in 1355 at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, it is the only bridge in the region that incorporates four bridge-towers at its corners. …

While the Shen House is grand, the Zhang House, or Zhang-ting, offers a more intimate look at Ming Dynasty residential life. Built earlier, in the mid-15th century, it is smaller but architecturally significant for its…

Located at the edge of the ancient town, overlooking the Nanhu Lake, is the Quanfu Temple. This is a rare 'water temple' that seems to float on the surface of the lake. …

To truly experience the pace of life in Joe-jwahng, one must sit for a while at the Wansan Tea House. In the Jiangnan region, tea is not just a beverage; it is a social ritual and a way of measuring time. …

As our tour of Joe-jwahng comes to an end, we find ourselves back where we started, near the entrance gates. We have crossed the 'Key' to the town at the Twin Bridges, explored the merchant legacy of the Shen House, and felt the…