Zhouzhuang, one of the most famous water townships in China, situated in Kunshan City which is only 30 kilometers (18 miles) southeast of Suzhou. This ancient town has a history of more than 900 years old with many houses built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. There are about 100 houses with courtyards, and 60 of them have arch gateways made by carved bricks. With lakes on four sides, the beauty of Zhouzhuang is specially to be found along the waterside lanes and around a number of the stone bridges. A different vista at every turn can be found here. All those make a visit most enjoyable. Also, one can enjoy the fairyland atmosphere of the evenings here when the myriad stars twinkle as though in communication with the glittering lights.
Waterlanes & Stone bridges
The layout of the water lanes in Zhouzhuang is perfectly arranged so that it looks like the
Chinese character #. Many stone bridges are built over them, linking up the households on both sides of every stream. These stone bridges are very old, 14 of which were built respectively in the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. The most representative among them are the Twin Bridges, Fuan Bridge, Zhenfeng Bridge and Fuhong Bridge, etc A beautiful saying is very popular among the folks in China-The Heavens have their Paradise while the earth is proud of having Suzhou and Hangzhou. Zhouzhuang is just like a water lily in-between.
The Twin Bridge
Twin Bridges which comprise Shide Bridge and Yongan Bridge are the most famous and is considered the symbol of Zhouzhuang. Built in Wanli era (1573 - 1619) of the Ming Dynasty, Twin Bridges is in the northeast of the town. 
Shide Bridge is east-west and has a round arch, while Yongan Bridge is north-south and the bridge arch is square. Crossing the two crisscross rivers (Yinzi Creek and Nabeishi River) and connecting at the middle, Because they look like an ancient key, it also known as Key Bridge. In 1984, 38 canvases of the notable painter, Chen Yifei, were exhibited in a New York gallery of Armand Hammer, chairman of Occidental Petroleum Corporation. "Memory of Hometown" which depicts Twin Bridges was one of the items on display and has gained the worlds attention for Zhouzhuang. The painting was chosen to be the first-day cover of the United Nations postage stamp in 1985.
Fuan Bridge
Fuan Bridge is located at the east end of Zhongshi Street, crossing the Nanbeishi River and leading to the Nanbeishi Street. It was built in 1355, and rebuilt by Shen Wansi, younger brother of Shen Wansan. It has towers on all four corners. Each side has carved beams and painted rafters. People can now enjoy local foods and shopping in the towers.
Shen House
Built in 1742 and located at the southeast side of Fuan Bridge, Shen House was the private property of the descendant of Shen Wansan, the first millionaire of Jiangnan (South of Yangtze River) in the early Qing Dynasty. The whole architectural complex is of the Qings style and occupies an area of more than 2,000 square meters (half an acre). Over 100 rooms are divided into three sections and each one is connected by arcades and aisles.
Zhang House
Built by Xus family in the Zhengtong era (1436 - 1449) of the Ming Dynasty and bought by Zhangs family in the early Qing Dynasty. Located to the south of the Twin Bridges, Zhang House has more than 70 rooms and takes up about 1,800 square meters (less than half an acre). With Ruojing River flowing through, Zhang House is a dapper and graceful residential house; has a tranquil courtyard and pond. Deep halls all represent the life of the quondam owner.