Zhen Ze, sharing its name with the ancient title of Taihu Lake, is located at the border of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, only 12 kilometers away from Nanxun Ancient Town in Huzhou. It is historically referred to as the ‘head of Wu and the tail of Yue’. The Jiangnan water town architecture with white walls and black tiles lines the riverbanks, and the Ciyun Temple Pagoda quietly reflects in the water. Compared to Zhouzhuang and Tongli, which also belong to Suzhou, Zhen Ze has fewer tourists, allowing for a peaceful appreciation of the ancient town’s gentle beauty. Zhen Ze is also the hometown of basketball star Yao Ming, but his former residence at No. 3 Da Xian Long is not open to the public. The Di Tang River, a branch of the Grand Canal, is obstructed by islets running from northeast to southwest, splitting into the northern canal scenic belt and the southern river. The banks of the river are the main tourist areas of the ancient town. Zhen Ze Bus Station is on the east side of the ancient town, so most tourists enter from the east. You can purchase tickets at the tourist service center located at the intersection of Zhenxin South Road and Ciyun Road. If you only plan to stroll around the ancient town without visiting small attractions, there is no need to buy a ticket. The Yu Ji Bridge, built in memory of Yu the Great’s water control efforts during the Qing Dynasty, is an excellent spot for photography, capturing the iconic single-arch stone bridge, Ciyun Zen Temple, and pagoda in one frame. Crossing the bridge and entering the temple on the north bank, the Ciyun Temple Pagoda is the original structure remaining from the temple, originally built during the Song Dynasty and rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty, with a particularly tall spire on the top. Climbing up the five-story ancient pagoda offers a panoramic view of the ancient town, and the scenery is especially beautiful at sunset, with the ‘Ciyun Sunset’ being one of the town’s major attractions. Baota Street extends west from Ciyun Zen Temple, with a total length of 368 meters, and is the essence of the ancient town. The street is paved with stone slabs, and at its narrowest points, the eaves on both sides leave only a strip of sky visible. The Qing Dynasty Shi Jian Hall on the west side of the street is a mansion worth visiting in the ancient town, with exquisite wood and brick carvings. The grand six-section structure not only includes residences and shops but also encloses part of the street. The second floor of the third section houses the Zhen Ze Historical and Cultural Folklore Exhibition Hall, with pictures and texts about Zhen Ze’s history and famous figures. The Chu Jing Garden on the east side of the mansion is adorned with rockeries, half-pavilions, and corridors, small but exquisite. Other attractions in the ancient town seem less noteworthy. On the east section of the south bank of the river, there is the modern reconstructed Wen Chang Pavilion; climbing to the third floor of the pavilion offers views of Yu Ji Bridge, Ciyun Zen Temple, and the pagoda. Heading west along the riverbank, there is the Taihu Farmhouse Cuisine Culture Exhibition Hall displaying local dishes and the Jiangsu Agricultural Implements Museum showcasing farming tools. If time permits, continuing west on the north bank offers the Zhen Ze Park and Wang Xichan Memorial Hall for further exploration. Shops on both sides of Baota Street sell local delicacies such as black tofu and malt pancakes, and at the Four Bowls Tea House on the street, you can taste the four-course tea served to new sons-in-law or distinguished guests, which includes sweet egg tea, rice gruel tea, smoked bean tea, and green tea, with the taste progression of ‘sweet, then salty, and finally light’.
Zhenze has been renowned for its silk industry since ancient times, with silk quilts being a specialty product. Relevant shops can be found on the Pagoda Street and along the Zhennan Xin Road leading to the ancient town. Discerning the authenticity and quality of silk quilts requires certain expertise. There are boat piers by the Yuyi Bridge and in front of the Dashun Rice Mill in front of the Shijian Hall, where one can pay to take a boat ride, with each boat accommodating 4-6 people. There are no accommodations within the ancient town, but there are several options outside. However, due to the convenience of traveling to Zhenze from surrounding cities and returning on the same day, few tourists choose to stay overnight. Operating hours are from 08:45 to 17:00 all year round. Service facilities include a parking lot: 【Zhenze Ecological Tourism Parking Lot (Main Tourist Center)】 with a reference price of free; located at Ciyun Road, Zhenze Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou City (address of the main tourist center parking lot), at the west entrance of Pagoda Street; with 200 parking spaces. Essential tips for visitors to Zhenze Ancient Town include the option to hire a guide at the tourist service center for a fee.
