5 h

Instant confirmation

About this activity

With its interconnected waterways and dreamy landscapes, Zhouzhuang is one of the top water villages in China. Take a step back in time to view magnificent canals and stone bridges. The majority of the town’s residences were built in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and nearly 100 traditional courtyards and 60 carved-brick archways are still in use. You will visit two of the most popular sights in this water town: Shen House and Zhang House.

Shen House was a private property built in the Qing style, and occupies an enormous area of over 2,000 square feet (186 square meters). It features charming displays like a water gate, a gate tower, a tearoom and a main hall. It also has artworks including carvings that tell historic stories, a painted sculpture of Shen Wansan, and other cultural relics such as folk instruments. Zhang House is equally impressive, with 70 rooms taking up over 1,900 square feet (177 square meters). It is a graceful residential house with a tranquil courtyard and pond.

After walking with the locals in the town's cobbled lanes, you will be taken on a Chinese-style gondola ride through the old town, where you can admire the simple and well-preserved architecture that dates back more than 900 years. Locals still live their life on the waterways, carrying out daily activities such as washing clothes and shopping from vendors on boats. You will have the opportunity to take many photos of this picturesque town.

This tour provides hotel pickup and drop-off and is a great way to learn about the cultural background of China’s Jiangsu province.

Read more Show less

Included

Gondola cruise
Air-conditioned vehicle
Local English-speaking guide
Entry/Admission - Shen's Residence

Not included

Food and drinks
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Additional

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Children must be over the age of 2.
Local guide will contact to confirm the departure the evening before departure day.

Features

Tourism

95%

Cultural

70%

Reviews

3.8

33

m

mariakosta92

5 | 2018-01-04

Really beautiful and natural environment. I remember every minute of this tour even it has been already pass more than a year.recommended 10000

P

PETER H C

3 | 2017-10-21

The water village was fun to visit. The van we rode in should be retired.......very old! Our driver flew to the village and back weaving in and out of traffic......very dangerous. Our tour guide was very difficult to hear in the van until he turned on his portable microphone. Glad we took the trip, however would not highly recommend it.

R

Rosaline C

2 | 2017-09-22

A mixture of a lot of new with very little old and lots of gaudy. Quite disappointed, actually, that there was not much preserved of the old water village . . . just what appeared to be a couple of bridges and a few homes along a single canal. There was one other restored home that we visited, which was interesting. The gaudiness was overwhelmingly distracting. The place was decorated with what looked like inflatable floats of make-believe scenes that were strung with lights for night-time viewing. The half-day tour was not worth the cost for the van ride, guide, entrance and boat ride fees. That said, our guide, Bruce, was good.

S

Susan L

4 | 2017-06-27

Really great -- I just would have liked to have had a bit more unstructured time in Zhouzhuang for tea or light shopping.

C

Cheryl M

5 | 2016-11-27

Pretty far away but really cool

R

Rcfurr2

5 | 2016-09-25

Great trip, highly recommend if your looking to get out of Shanghai, Jamie was a fantastic guide, just would have liked it to be longer, felt rushed once we got there....

Collections This experience is part of these collections

Collections

Zhouzhuang Water Village 36 Activities

Zhouzhuang Water Village Tour from Shanghai

Shanghai

Settings