Some of the best places I've been, I found by mistake. Zhouzhuang is one of them. I was trying to take my mom, my aunt and two friends, Anthony and David, to a water town near Suzhou. I found a hotel in Zhouzhuang that looked really nice and was affordable, so I booked it. Only when we were in the car did I realize it wasn't as close to Suzhou as I thought. Best mistake I ever made.

What is Zhouzhuang?

Zhouzhuang is an ancient water town in Kunshan, in China's Jiangsu Province, about 60 kilometers from Shanghai. It's roughly 1,000 years old and is often called China's "No. 1 Water Town." Instead of streets, the town is built around canals, with stone bridges, old houses and boats gliding past your window. Some of its best-known sights are the Twin Bridges, the Shen House and the Zhang House.

It's also small. You can walk from one side of town to the other in about 10 minutes, which makes it easy to explore without a plan.

Getting there from Shanghai

I usually take a Didi (China's version of Uber) from Shanghai. Depending on which part of the city you're starting from, it's about a 1 to 2 hour drive. The ride is easy and Didis aren't too expensive, so you can do the whole trip without dealing with train stations. That's what makes Zhouzhuang such an easy weekend getaway.

Tickets: start at the theater

If you arrive in the middle of the day, you'll need a ticket to enter the ancient town. My tip: go to the theater venue first. You can buy a ticket for the theater show that also includes entry to the ancient town at a discounted rate, so you get both for less.

Finding the Life Inn

Your Didi will drop you off outside the ancient town, and you walk in from there. Don't worry, they didn't drop you in the wrong spot! Walk to the big ancient town gate, then ask someone for directions to the Life Inn, or message Kitty on WeChat for help. Apple Maps or Google Maps will also show you exactly how to walk there through the town's walkways.

Where to stay: the Life Inn

The hotel that started it all was the Life Inn, and I can't recommend it enough. I found it on Trip.com, one of my travel partners. You can book the Life Inn on Trip.com here (affiliate link: I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you). The owner, Kitty, is amazing. She has always taken care of my friends and me, and she's now a friend of mine too. Staying overnight also means you get to enjoy the town in the evening.

Want a look inside? Watch my Life Inn hotel tour.

Things to do in Zhouzhuang

Just explore

My number one tip is simple: wander. There are so many hidden secrets tucked down the alleys and along the canals. Everyone there is friendly, so don't be shy.

Take a boat ride

I highly recommend a boat ride through the canals. Just know it's not a round trip. The boat takes you from one side of town to the other, and you walk back. Since the town only takes about 10 minutes to cross on foot, that's no problem at all.

Listen for the singing boat ladies

As you float through town, some of the boat ladies sing traditional Chinese folk songs. They're great, and it's one of those moments that makes the place feel magical. Hear one in my video.

See the theater show

Zhouzhuang has an amazing theater show, The Zhouzhuang Odyssey. My friend Anthony says it's so good he would fly someone over from the USA just to see it. I filmed the full performance if you want a preview: watch The Zhouzhuang Odyssey.

Stay up late

If you're a night owl, there are a few bars and karaoke places to keep the evening going.

Where to eat

Here's an honest one: my favorite meal in Zhouzhuang is at a really good Italian restaurant in the middle of town. We've eaten there several times. The other restaurants were good, but nothing to rave about compared to other places I've eaten in China. If you're there for one night, the Italian spot is a safe bet.

Day trip or overnight?

You can see Zhouzhuang in a day, but I'd stay the night. The drive from Shanghai is easy, the Life Inn is a great base, and you get the theater show, the evening canals and a slow morning by the canals.

Quick tips

  • Getting there: a Didi from Shanghai, about 1 to 2 hours depending on where you start. It drops you outside the ancient town; walk in through the big gate.
  • Tickets: arriving midday? Buy a theater ticket that includes discounted entry to the ancient town.
  • Stay: the Life Inn (book on Trip.com, affiliate link), and say hi to Kitty.
  • Boat rides: one way only, so plan to walk back (about 10 minutes).
  • Don't miss: the singing boat ladies and The Zhouzhuang Odyssey.
  • Eat: the Italian restaurant in the middle of town.

All of my Zhouzhuang videos

I liked Zhouzhuang so much that I've made five videos there, and I try to go back for at least one weekend every time I'm in China. I've taken more than 11 people there on different trips, and every one of them has loved it.

Watch the full weekend in the video above, and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more adventures across China and around the world.

Explore every place I've been on the interactive map.