Zhu Family Hall in Wuzhen Ting Shang Ting

Zhu Family Hall in Wuzhen Ting Shang Ting

Zhu Family Hall is the residence of a prominent Zhu family in Wuzhen, commonly referred to by locals as "Ting Shang Ting" or "Hall upon Hall." Wuzhen is located by the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, at the junction of two provinces, three prefectures, and seven counties, making it a uniquely strategic location with well-developed water and land transportation. As a result, the town flourished commercially and economically, attracting many merchants. In Wuzhen, there are many grand mansions and halls, such as the Xu Family Hall and Zhao Family Hall on East Street, all featuring distinctive architectural styles and exquisitely carved interiors. Zhu Family Hall not only embodies the characteristics of these grand residences but is also a one-of-a-kind hall in Wuzhen, notable for its unique feature — a “hall upon hall.”

Most houses in Wuzhen are built with a brick-and-wood structure. Although they have the advantage of “the walls may collapse but the house will not,” fire has always been a major hazard. To address this, Zhu Family Hall laid a layer of blue bricks on the second-floor flooring to prevent the risk of fire caused by falling candles. Additionally, walking on the blue brick floor produces less noise compared to walking directly on wooden planks, ensuring that activities upstairs do not disturb business downstairs. This “hall upon hall” architectural design is extremely rare. It is said that the structure was built by master craftsmen who were skilled in constructing imperial palaces. To test the sturdiness of the floorboards, stones used for pounding rice cakes were placed on the upper floor, yet the floor remained undamaged — a testament to the ingenuity of the builders and the meticulousness of the owner.

The main hall of Zhu Family Hall is called Zhaoqing Hall. After retiring from official duties to pursue business, the owner went into the jewelry trade and named the shop “Zhaoqing Hall.” Thanks to the fine craftsmanship and reliable quality of Zhu family jewelry, it became a well-known and trusted brand across the Jiangnan region. Locals preparing for weddings would invariably purchase jewelry from “Zhaoqing Hall.” Today, Zhu Family Hall still displays many treasured gold and silver ornaments preserved to this day, whose exquisite craftsmanship is on par with modern machine-made pieces.

Address: Wuzhen Town, Tongxiang City, Jiaxing (within the West Scenic Zone of Wuzhen)

Type: Historical Architecture

Recommended Visit Duration: 30–50 minutes

Opening Hours:

8:00-18:00

Ticket Information:

No separate ticket required. Included with the West Scenic Zone admission ticket.

Wuzhen Town: A historic water town in the Jiangnan region known for its rich cultural heritage and popularity as a tourist destination.

For generations, the people of Wuzhen have lived peacefully on this fertile land, creating a happy life with their diligence and wisdom. Since opening as a tourist town in 2001, the once quiet streets and alleys have welcomed streams of domestic and international visitors, propelling this Jiangnan town to fame both in China and abroad. The unprecedented growth of the tourism industry has also driven the development of Wuzhen’s primary and secondary sectors. In recent years, the Wuzhen Town Party Committee and government… More details about Wuzhen Town ++