The Oriental Venice - ZhouZhuang (周庄)

Few days ago, I read from newspaper that ZhouZhuang was included in the Top 10 Most Beautiful Small Town in the world. It was ranked number 9 and this small town was more commonly known as the Oriental Venice. ZhouZhuang is a water city in SuZhou which located about 1 1/2 hours away from SuZhou old town.

To talk about ZhouZhuang, we must also mention this legendary person - Shen-Wan-San which was a Billionaire during Ming Dynasty. Before he get to be the richest person of his era, he used to live here in ZhouZhuang. At the end of Yuan Dynasty(the Mongolian Empire), he met another legendary figure - Zhu-Yuan-Zhang(The first Emperor of Ming's Dynasty). At that time, Zhu was still a nobody who stray here and there. They became the best of friends in no time, and even as sworn brothers.

Later, Zhu join the Rebel Army and became their leader after getting married to the old leader's daughter. History then marked the end of the Mongolian Empire in China, with Zhu winning the war and became the first emperor of Ming's Dynasty. However, Zhu was a very narrow-minded person who especially hated rich person, even his sworn brother Shen-Wan-San. In the end, Shen was being exiled to Yun Nam and died there.

This was Shen's Water Mound

Shen died in Yun Nam and was never returned to main land China. His posterity set this mound as a memorial of him.

During Qing Dynasty, his great great grandson built this Shen-House.

Even his descendant is so rich~

Very pretty carving and architecture

Wan-San Trotters~ Very very nice~ 

As the name imply, it was related to the late Shen-Wan-San

The texture was soft and the taste was damn good!

ZhouZhuang used to be just an ordinary Water Town, like many other water town in SuZhou....Then one day, a government officer feels pity for the residents here who need to travel a long way for their prayers in temple far away from ZhouZhuang.

He then decided to use all his money to built this temple and make it more convenient for people to pray. Hence, they name this town using his surname - Zhou

Alot of fish~

You can pay few tens bucks and get a boat ride around the town with free tour guide service

Alot of people~ Coz its peak season~

Here is the famous Double Bridge （双桥）

Throw sand pack and win prize~

10 bucks for 10 bags~

Here is what you get~ Always a scam la~ but fun also~ ha!

There are alot of other places we did not manage to visit due to the extreme crowd and time constraint~ Such as the old hut of Shen-Wan-San......

For more illustration, kindly click into my facebook pictures~