Zhouzhuang Museum (Zhu’s Residence)

Zhouzhuang Museum (Zhu’s Residence)

Zhouzhuang Museum (Zhu’s Residence) is a Suzhou Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Originally a residence of a family surnamed Zhu during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period, Zhouzhuang Museum was later used as government offices after the liberation. It was renovated in the mid-1990s and opened to the public as a scenic spot. The building covers an area of over 1,000 square meters. The museum mainly displays everyday household items, farming tools, and some locally unearthed famous black pottery artifacts from China.

Upon entering the second section, on the right side, you’ll find various household utensils such as bamboo baskets, fruit containers, and he pans (an essential item for weddings). There’s also an object that looks like a stool but is actually an old oil press, next to which is a “standing barrel,” an ancient tool for toddlers to stand in — equivalent to a modern baby walker. On the left are common farming tools from rural areas back then, including a winnowing fan, weeding tools, measuring instruments for rice, plows for tilling fields, and more. Though these may seem simple by today’s standards, they were essential items indispensable to daily life and agricultural work in the past.

Entering the third section, the first thing you see is a plaque reading “Artifacts Unearthed from Taishi Pond.” Taishi Pond is a lake located north of Zhouzhuang Town. During land reclamation in the 1970s, pottery jars, objects resembling farming tools, wooden planks, and animal bones were excavated. Experts authenticated the pottery as famous black pottery from the Liangzhu period. One of the pottery pieces has been designated a national first-class relic and is now housed in the National Museum, dating back over 5,000 years. A nearby stone plow is also verified to be around 4,000–5,000 years old, from the Neolithic Age, used by ancient people for tilling. The wooden planks are believed to have been used to construct wells. In those days, kitchens often had water vats beside the stove, though some households opted to dig wells directly for easier access to water. All these clues suggest that Taishi Pond might once have been a village, which eventually evolved into a lake. This points to Zhouzhuang’s history extending beyond its known 900+ years to possibly the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. It’s said the area was once the fief of Shaozi Yao, the youngest son of King Wu of Wu, referred to as “Yaocheng,” dating back more than 2,500 years.

In the western room, you’ll find displays of chess pieces — ancient and modern, large and small. Some are as heavy as twelve kilograms, while others are so tiny they require a magnifying glass to see. There’s also a three-dimensional chess set aligned with international chess rules, enabling foreigners unfamiliar with Chinese characters to understand the game by appearance. Additionally, there are inscriptions by national leaders. These displays are mainly intended to promote Chinese chess culture.

Nearby, there are exhibits of films and TV dramas shot in Zhouzhuang. Zhouzhuang’s classic small bridge, flowing water, and traditional houses not only attract many tourists but also draw directors seeking filming locations. The famed director Xie Jin once remarked, “Zhouzhuang is a natural film studio.”

Ascending to the second floor, you’ll first see the lyrics to the song “Zhouzhuang Is Good,” written by Qiao Yu, composed by Wang Liping, and sung by Zheng Xulan. This song won a silver award at the First Tourism Songs Competition in 1999. Further inside, the museum’s treasures come into view — notably the Zhouzhuang Long Scroll, a panoramic view of the entire ancient town. Stretching 25 meters in length and 0.9 meters in width, this artwork took over six months to complete by more than 30 renowned Chinese artists. It blends calligraphy, painting, and drawing to beautifully present the charm of the water town. Next to it is a mineral pigment painting by Japanese female artist Hashimoto Shinzen. She visited Zhouzhuang in the mid-1980s and fell in love with its bridges, particularly choosing the Taiping Bridge from among many. After photographing it from various angles, she returned to Japan and spent months creating the painting “A Day in Zhouzhuang.” When she revisited Zhouzhuang, she gifted this artwork to the town. The pigments used in the painting, reportedly ground from rocks and meticulously processed, are fade-proof. She said this symbolizes that the friendship between China and Japan will remain unfading just like this mineral painting.

Among the exhibits are award-winning works from various Zhouzhuang tourism festivals. Photography enthusiasts and artists from across the country, captivated by Zhouzhuang’s scenery, have captured numerous outstanding images, along with unique artworks crafted by master artisans...

Adjacent is a coin exhibition room, primarily showcasing ancient coins from various eras, evolving from the earliest shells to modern paper currency.

Downstairs, the small room on the left displays various types of copper locks and keys. On the right, there’s an exhibit of traditional clothing and accessories worn by the folk. As you step outside, look at the floor pattern in the courtyard — on closer inspection, it’s a design featuring five bats (where “bat” sounds like “blessing”) surrounding a central character for longevity. This is the traditional “Five Blessings Surrounding Longevity” motif. If you visit, remember to walk across it to carry some good fortune home.

Address: No. 38, Hougang Street, Zhouzhuang Town, Kunshan City, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province (within Zhouzhuang Ancient Town Scenic Area)

Type: Museum

Recommended Visit Duration: 30 minutes

Phone: Zhouzhuang Ancient Town Tel: 4008282900; 0512-57211699

Opening Hours:

Currently under renovation. For details on when it will reopen, please contact Zhouzhuang Ancient Town.

Ticket Information:

No separate ticket required. Included in the Zhouzhuang Ancient Town admission fee.