Wansheng Rice Shop

Wansheng Rice Shop

Tour Guide

After leaving the Shen Residence, walk east along Xihui Shangtang Street, then turn south onto Nanshi Xiaotang Street to reach Wansheng Rice Shop. This is a time-honored shop, established in the early years of the Republic of China, jointly operated by two wealthy families in town — the Shens and the Fans. The shop is grand in scale, boasting nearly a hundred storage bins for grain, making it one of the leading rice shops in eastern Wu region at the time and one of the grain distribution hubs for ?zhu and over ten surrounding towns and villages.

In 1917, the renowned writer and educator Ye Shengtao came to teach in ?zhu for five years. His famous work "Excess Grain" is set against the backdrop of Wansheng Rice Shop. Later included in middle school textbooks, this story helped make Wansheng Rice Shop famous both in China and abroad.

In 1998, the People's Government of ?zhu Town invested in restoring Wansheng Rice Shop to its original appearance, recreating the ambiance of a Jiangnan rice market from the Republican era. Additionally, an exhibition of traditional farming tools from various dynasties in Jiangnan was added, turning it into a unique new attraction with distinct water town charm.

Dining / Accommodation / Shopping

Accommodation: To experience the charm of ?zhu’s “abundance of small bridges over water lanes, with homes nestled along the canals,” we recommend staying overnight in the ancient town. You may choose to stay at the ?zhu Welcome Hotel or the Hongyun Garden Resort by Jincheng Lake, or opt for local private guesthouses.

Shopping: ?zhu is well known for its local specialties such as pickled vegetables and mushrooms. Don’t miss the octagonal red water caltrops in autumn. If you’re looking to buy the attire, embroidered shoes, or headscarves of the “ethnic minority of Suzhou” — the women of ?zhu — you won’t find them anywhere else but here.

Dining: Known as the “land of misty waters and abundant harvests,” ?zhu boasts beautiful scenery and rich aquatic products. When it comes to food, enjoy fresh fish, crisp lotus roots, plump water caltrops, river shrimp, and lake crabs. The typical Jiangnan water town flavors are light, delicate, and tender. ?zhu’s mushrooms and freshwater clams are particularly famous — don’t miss them when ordering. Octagonal red water caltrops are a ?zhu specialty; if you happen to visit during the harvest season, be sure to try them.

Transportation: Shanghai to ?zhu

On weekends and holidays, there are special tour buses to ?zhu from Shanghai Yangpu Sports Center, Hongkou Football Stadium, and Shanghai Stadium. Buses return in the afternoon. Price: 120 RMB per person (includes round-trip fare and attraction tickets).

From Zhongshan Bus Station at No. 806 Zhongshan North Road to ?zhu, there are 22 daily departures. From Suzhou to ?zhu: There are direct air-conditioned minibuses from Suzhou Railway Station Square; minibuses from Suzhou North Bus Station to ?zhu run from 6:30 to 18:30 every 30 minutes, ticket price 7 RMB; minibuses from Suzhou Wuxian Bus Station also go to ?zhu, from 6:20 to 17:20 every 40 minutes. You can also take Bus No. 18 from Loufeng in eastern Suzhou, ticket price 2.5 RMB, one bus per hour, about 50 minutes’ ride. Local transport within town consists of sightseeing tricycles, with a starting fare of 2 RMB to take you to various attractions.

Self-driving Routes:

Shanghai to ?zhu

1. Shanghai – Yan’an Elevated Road – Huqingping Expressway (A9 – Suburban Ring Road A30, heading toward Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway) – Chonggu Daying Exit – Beiqing Highway – Suzhou-Shanghai Airport Road – ?zhu

2. Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway Kunshan Exit – southward via Changjiang Road – turn west – Suzhou-Shanghai Airport Road – ?zhu

Suzhou to ?zhu

From Suzhou East Ring Road (elevated – Suzhou-Shanghai Airport Road – ?zhu). Road distance: Shanghai 58 km, ?zhu 18 km, Suzhou

Address: No. 62, Nanshi Xiaotang Street, ?zhu Ancient Town, Wuzhong District, Suzhou City

Type: Museum

Recommended Visit Duration: 1 hour

Phone: 0512-69007900

Opening Hours:

Summer: 8:00–17:00, Winter: 8:00–16:30; Ticketing Hours: Summer: 7:30–16:45, Winter: 8:00–16:15.

Ticket Information:

No separate admission fee. Ticket is included in the ?zhu Ancient Town combo ticket.