Major city · China
Zhouzhuang
Do Zhouzhuang as a half‑day day‑trip from Suzhou or Shanghai; 4–5 h on the bridges and houses, stay overnight only for night lights.
Zhouzhuang is a historic water town best explored in a few hours; most visitors return to Suzhou or Shanghai the same day, but a night stay lets you see the lantern‑lit canals.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Chinese public holidays (e.g., Golden Week, Chinese New Year) – very crowded
- Airports
- SHA · PVG
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Zhouzhuang110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Zhouzhuang, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyZhouzhuang is generally safe, but stay alert to crowded bridges, aggressive vendors, and unsecured canal edges.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSHA Shanghai Hongqiao International.
- Getting aroundFrom Shanghai take Metro Line 11 to Huaqiao, then Kunshan tourist bus #7 (¥5 (≈ under US$1)) to Zhouzhuang (≈44 km (27 mi)).From Shanghai take Metro Line 11 to Huaqiao, then Kunshan tourist bus #7 (¥5 (≈ under US$1)) to Zhouzhuang (≈27 mi (44 km)).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealWansan pig shank snack¥30–50 (≈ US$5–7)
- Museum or sight ticketEntry fee (Fu’an Bridge area)¥160 (≈ US$25) (5½ h access)
- Budget bedYouth hostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥80 (≈ US$12)
- Mid-range bedThree‑star hotel room, a night, per roomCN¥260 (≈ US$40)
- High-end bedThree‑star hotel room, a night, per roomCN¥340 (≈ US$50)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥120 (≈ US$17) · Mid CN¥200 (≈ US$30) · High CN¥350 (≈ US$50)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SHA Shanghai Hongqiao International · PVG Shanghai Pudong International
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Jun (10 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Zhouzhuang: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
5 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
5 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
From Shanghai take Metro Line 11 to Huaqiao, then Kunshan tourist bus #7 (¥5) to Zhouzhuang (≈44 km). Buses run until 18:30; taxis are faster but cost ¥150‑200. From Suzhou, direct bus (≈60 min, ¥20‑30) or ferry. Within town walk or rent a small boat (¥20‑40).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Suzhou
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Direct bus from Suzhou bus station, about 60 min, ¥20–30 (≈ US$3–5)
Return to Suzhou in the afternoon for more sights.
Shanghai
goDoor to door: ≈2 h
Metro Line 11 to Huaqiao, then bus #7 to Zhouzhuang, total ≈2 h, ¥55 (≈ US$8) total
Good for a day‑trip after a morning in Shanghai.
Tongli
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Bus from Zhouzhuang to Tongli, about 45 min, ¥15 (≈ US$3)
Another classic water town, worth a quick visit.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Yunhai Resort
Four‑star hotel by Baixun Lake, rooms from ¥260
Three Oxens Garden Hotel
Three‑star, central Zhouzhuang, rooms from ¥210
Twinbridge Hostel
Youth hostel steps from the Double Bridge, dorm beds ¥80‑120
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥120–180 (≈ US$17–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥180–300 (≈ US$30–45) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Youth hostel dorm bed2 × 3 nights × CN¥120 | CN¥720 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × CN¥200 | CN¥1,200 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥320 per person per day, bed included | CN¥1,920≈ US$300 |
Twinbridge Hostel, dormitory
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Wansan pig shank snack | ¥30–50 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Boat tour (full circuit) | ¥20–40 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Entry fee (Fu’an Bridge area) | ¥160 (≈ US$25) (5½ h access) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Crowds on weekends and holidays make bridges narrow; plan early morning or late afternoon.
- Aggressive vendors sell mass‑produced souvenirs as "hand‑crafted".
- Canal edges often lack fencing – keep children and pets away from water.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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ZhouzhuangZhouzhuang
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shanghai Huaqiao → Zhouzhuang (bus #7): ¥5 (≈ under US$1), last bus back 18:30¥5 (≈ under US$1), last bus back 6:30 PM
- Boat tour around town: ¥20–40 (≈ US$3–6) per person
Say or show
- 对不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duìbuqǐ)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duōshǎo qián?)
- 可以刷卡吗？ — Can I pay by card? (kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?)
- 厕所在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?)
Tourist hotline 12301 for lost items or safety concerns.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Zhouzhuang. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Chinese public holidays (e.g., Golden Week, Chinese New Year) – very crowded · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Zhouzhuang
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