24 hours in Zhouzhuang

(chinadaily.com.cn)

11:00-13:00

Shen Ting Jiu Jia, a century- old tavern in Zhouzhuang. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The "Wansan's Family Feast" served at Shen Ting Jiu Jia, a century- old tavern in Zhouzhuang is highly recommendable for lunch. The feast named after Shen Wansan (1330–1376), the richest man in the Jiangnan area (the southern regions of the Yangtze River) during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), was a well-known delicacy to entertain loyal and wealthy friends during annual festivals at that time in Zhouzhuang.

The banquet was composed of eight courses, including Wansan pork shank, braised mandarin fish, fried eels in brown sauce and stewed winkles.

13:00-15:00

A group of craftsmen in the water town are putting their masterful skills to work to prove they are a cut above the rest, in an era where it is often thought mechanization prevails.

Visitors to the famous water town could observe these craftsmen at work at 12 workshops located on Zhenfeng Cultural Street.

15:00-17:00

Jubinglou, a famous restaurant in Zhouzhuang. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

At Jubinglou, visitors are able to enjoy Pingtan, a kind of storytelling and ballad singing in the Suzhou dialect while tasting tea.

Quietly melodious singing, and magnificent apparel and accessories make the place a magnet for many a weary travellers to take the weight off and immerse themselves in the ancient water town's local culture.

At Nanhu Jiusi, gulping a jug of wine coupled with some snakes would make them forget all their worries.