Zhouzhuang water village

Zhouzhuang is probably the biggest and most well known water town in China.It is also widely known as the Venice of the East and proudly proclaim itself as the number 1 watertown in China.
With its tranquil canals and ancient Ming and Qing architecture it dates back to more than 900 years ago.
There are many artistic bridges with tales and some are built during the Ming dynasty and thus differ from those built in the Qing.Famous bridges are like theFu an bridge,and the Double bridge.Notable residence is the Shens residence with its Qing style in full glory.
The hall of Shens is spectacular.Built in 1742 and located just near to teh Fu an bridge.Shen Wansan is a rich millionaire during the Qing dynasty.When you are on a boat you would be like in  dream rocking gently on a boat in a picture.
When nightfall the lighted lanterns will propel you back to an ancient era of spectacular beauty.
There is also a rectangular courtyard with a center stage where Kungqu operas are held.Chess competitions,home made spun cloth ,bamboo crafts making and tea culture are among some highlights.
There are also the Quangfu and Chengxu temples.
There is a Zhouzhuang light show casting beautiful shadows and lights on the water Zhouzhuang in all seasons.Cost of show is 180 yuan and 280 yuan for VIP seats.
In May there is the tea culture exhibition and dragon boat race ,one gets to eat zhongzi glutinous dumplings.
Boat rides are fun and costs about 50yuan.
Snacks and food-Snacks like Wansans pig shanks or Wansans hoofs.Sesame cakes in soy sauce.
Squirrel shaped mandarin fish-tradition has it that once Emperor Qianlong of Qing dynasty passed by on Jiangnan tour,Emperor Qian Long saw a carp frisking on the holy table and ordered it to be cooked for him.The chef knowing that its a emperor 's order spared no efforts in flavouring and seasoning. In order to escape the sins of cooking a holy fish for the gods the chef cooked it in such a way that the head and its tail soaring high up thus resembling a squirrel so it is not recognisable.
Crunchy sesame candy,Dried bean curd with soy sauce,Biluochun tea,whitebait soup,river syrimp are some of the popular dishes.
Transportation:Zhouzhuang is located about 30kms from Kunshan,38kms from Suzhou and 60kms from Shanghai.
The easiest and most relaxed way of transport to Zhouzhuang from Shanghai is taking the Gtrain to Suzhou or Kunshan and then transfer by taxi/car or bus.Suzhou to Zhouzhuang by taxi will take about 1 hour+ at a cost of 120 yuan.
One may also opt to travel by bus directly from Shanghai to Zhouzhuang.Buses are
1)Shanghai Tour Bus Center just outside the Caoxi Road subway station.The price is 150yuan /person inclusive of entrance fees but for senior citizens above 70 it is 75yuan.Prices are for round trips.
2)Hongkou Football Stadium.This is a tourist bus and departs for Zhouzhuang at 0815 and returns at 1615.Cost at 240yuan for round trips and entrance fees.
3)Long distance bus station next to Shanghai main railway station which is a normal regular bus departing at 0800,1200,1420 and 1630.The last bus back to Shanghai is at 1630.
From SUZHOU,
Bus from Wuxian bus station departing at 0715,0940,1415 and 1420.
North Bus station departin half hourly .Earliest bus at 0645 and last bus at 1800 to return to Suzhou.
Entrance fees:100yuan /person at 0830 to 1630.80 yuan at 1630 to 2130.
Free after that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accomodations:
1)Yunhai resorts
2)Three oxens garden hotel
3)Zhouzhuang renjia hotel
4)Twinbridge hostel
5)Yunting villa
6)Zhenshui hotel
Getting out of Zhouzhuang one can take bus/taxi to Suzhou or Kunshan then take G train back to Shanghai.Or
take bus from the bus station in Zhouzhuang located at Daqiao road.
Bus leaves for Suzhou every 30 mins from 0610 to 1700.
To Shanghai at 0915,1120,1420,1630.

Shanghai film park/Qibao

 

 

SHANGHAI FILM PARK

located at 4915 Beisong gong road Chedun town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Old scenes of Shanghai in the 1930's and '40s.Here many of the famous and popular movies and tv series were shot and produced by the Shanghai film group.

 

Many tourists like to pose and take photos here.Frequently couples tying the knots have their wedding photos here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Replicas of life size shikumen houses of Shanghai

 

 

 

Movies sidekicks and extras having a time out

 

 

 

Old Nanjing road makes pleasant and bring back memories of Shanghai tang days

 

 

 

A scene shooting on water

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some areas near to Waibaidu bridge at Hongkou

Here you can see movie making in reality

Metro line 9

 

 

Popular actress at scene

You can take metro line 9 to Songjiang xincheng and then take a cab or a bus for about 20 kms to the Shanghai film park,Chedun town.
Entrance fees is 50yuan and time opening at 0830 to 1630.


                                         QIBAO old town,
located in Minhang district dating back in years 960-1126 during the Song dynasty.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties it became prosperous and a thriving business center.Qibao is a chinese meaning for SEVEN TREASURES .
Some popular highlights here are the:
1) Qibao temple built in the year 907.The temple built with the Han and Tang dynasties characteristics.
2)CRICKETS fighting ar so popular here where they grow in its natural habitat.Crickets generals like the th fierciest like the Iron Sand and Blue referring to their colours of the neck and feet are hard to find.
3)Shadow Play especially during the golden weeks off.
4SNACKS like the glutinous rice Qibaogao,dried bean curd in lotus leaves (Hebaodoufugan),smoked toads(Xunlanhamo)and smelly tofu are among the various snack s here.
One can easily travel by metro line 9 from downtown to Qibao station and exit through gate 2.Walk for about 100 meters to the Qibao townOr take bus 92 at Shanghai Stadium or bus 87,91,92,513,735,748,803 Shangshe line,Nanjia line,Husong line or Huchen line.Get off at Qibao station.However the easiest is by the metro line 9.

 

 

Popular delicacy pork legs

Always my favourite smelly tofu