Shen Hall, originally known as Jingye Hall, was renamed Songmao Hall in the late Qing Dynasty and was constructed in the seventh year of the Qianlong Emperor’s reign (1742 AD) by Shen Benren, a descendant of Shen Wansan. It is divided into seven sections and five gate towers, with an architectural layout that reflects the grandeur of a wealthy household.
Shen Hall is a must-visit attraction in Zhouzhuang, where visitors mainly come to explore the past of the wealthy Shen Wansan.
Highlights of Shen Hall: The brick-carved gate tower, the main hall, the treasure basin, and the copper murals are several highlights of Shen Hall. The gate tower between the third and fourth sections is one of the most exquisite among the five gate towers of Shen Hall, with beautiful brick carvings and the inscription ‘Accumulating Wealth and Spreading Light’ in the middle. The main hall Songmao Hall is spacious and magnificent, where one can look up to see the old-fashioned hidden windows. In the small hall of the sixth section, there is a statue of Shen Wansan, in front of whom lies a glittering treasure basin, said to bring wealth to those who possess it. On both sides of the back corridor of Shen Hall, there are copper murals depicting the legendary life of Shen Wansan.
Shen Hall’s Second Floor: Visiting the second floor of Shen Hall requires an additional fee. From the second floor, you can view the various courtyards of Shen Hall from a different perspective, as well as the ladies’ boudoirs, and peeking into the main hall Songmao Hall from the hidden windows is quite interesting.
Opening Hours: Open all year round from 07:30 to 21:00.
Must-see Tips: The area is very crowded during holidays, so it is recommended to visit on weekdays, early mornings, or dusk to avoid peak tourist times.
