周庄
Zhouzhuang is a town in Jiangsu province, China。 It is located within Kunshan county-level city, 30 km southeast of Suzhou。
Zhouzhuang is a popular touristic destination。 It is one of the most famous water townships in China, noted for its profound cultural background, the well preserved ancient residential houses, the elegant watery views and the strong local colored traditions and customs。
It has been called the "Venice of the East"。
In the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC-476 BC), Zhouzhuang was a part of the fief Yaocheng and called Zhenfengli。
After being donated to Full Fortune (Quanfu) Temple by Zhou Digong, a very devout Buddhist, in 1086 during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), Zhouzhuang got its present name as a memorial of the donor。
In an area of half a square kilometer (124 acres), 60 percent of the Zhouzhuang's structures were built during the Ming and Qing dynasties, which is from 1368 to 1911。