Suzhou has many waterways and Zhouzhuang is famous for its well-preserved ancient water town located some 30 km away from Suzhou.
Zhouzhuang has fascinating watery views, stunning ancient bridges and residential houses, and profound cultural background. It is the Venice of the East, with many tourist boats sailing along the waterways like gondolas do in Venice. It is a very touristy place too, especially hard to walk in the crowd in narrow alleys.
Zhuozhuang local specialty – braised pork knuckles, with their distinctive colour, all arranged neatly. Aren’t they photogenic too?!
Next: returning to Shanghai!
I am making a trip to Shanghai end of May 2010, my first to China. Your blog have provided useful information and pictures which is very helpful for me to plan for the trip. My Sister-in-law who is working in Shanghai and will be hosting us and taking us around didn’t recommend Suzhou, just Hanzhou. With my limited knowledge, I am aware that Suzhou is where you’ll find the venice of the east. Also it is a place of beauty – people and scenery. : )
Do drop me some suggestions if you will. Cheers
Hi! Personally, I prefer Hangzhou.. it’s a very relaxing place, friendly ppl around n nice food too! Yeah, u will find Venice in Suzhou. I went Zhouzhuang, picturesque water village. There are some popular water townships around too. But I wasn’t there for long, so have limited knowledge about the places. Suzhou is definitely worth visiting too.
sorry i thought the wrong place i went there and so the villager in the river using the water for washing there cloths and using it for cooking, the building was nice