On the waterfront

Twin Bridge, built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), is a must-see in Zhouzhuang.

The Twin Bridge, built during the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), is considered the symbol of the town. One of its arches is round and the other is rectangular, which makes the bridge look like an ancient Chinese key. Thus locals also call it the Key Bridge.

The traditional residences in town, mostly built in the Ming and Qing dynasties (1644-1911), flank the winding waterways. Many of them are well-kept and preserve their original appearance, with white walls and black-tiled roofs.

The best way to get a taste of local lifestyle is spend an afternoon at a riverbank teahouse, sipping a cup of green tea and enjoying the river landscape.

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In addition to the town's old charm, Zhouzhuang is striving to create new draws and improve its tourism facilities, according to Ren Yongdong, managing director of Zhouzhuang Tourism Company.

Carton King Creativity Park is one of the new attractions on Zhouzhuang's tourist map.

The park, including stores, a gallery, a museum and a restaurant, has become a must-see since its opening in August last year.

Everything you see in the park is made of cardboard cartons, from figurines and animals to hats, bags and furniture.

"They are not just for display," explains Chen Weilin, general manager of the Carton King Creativity Park. "A chair made of cartons can support as much weight as 200 kg."

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