This episode of "Ancient Charm of China" takes us to "No.1 Water Town in China" – Zhouzhuang. The ancient town in Kunshan, Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, gives a glimpse of a different China that is hardly ever seen in cities.

The first keyword of this town is water. Known for its canals, ponds and lakes, Zhouzhuang boasts elegant watery views that are dotted with stone bridges. Among them, Twin Bridge, or Shuang Qiao in Mandarin, is one of the most popular spots for photos. Made up of Shide Bridge and Yongan Bridge, the two halves of Twin Bridge come in different shapes, one round and the other square.

But Zhouzhuang is not just about water. It is also home to ancient Chinese architecture that has existed for over 900 years, with many residential houses built in the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911).

When visiting this town, there is one person who cannot be avoided. Shen Wansan, who used to be one of the richest men in the area south of the Yangtze River, started his business right here taking advantage of the water resources.

In Shen's House, built by one of his descendants, the original style and exquisite carved decorations have been preserved. It gives an idea of how a well-off family lived in the past.

In Zhouzhuang, one can enjoy a leisurely stroll around the ancient alleys, take a boat ride on the canals and lakes, and visit historical residential houses. For those who live in nearby cities like Shanghai, it is definitely a good choice for a weekend getaway.

Wansan Eight Bowls, named after Shen Wansan, is a set of eight dishes that were served to distinguished guests during annual festivals in the past. The best known is probably Wansan Pork Shank, which was favored by Shen himself.

Another must-try dish is Aozao noodles, which features quick-fry fish and slender noodles in a rich soup. It is regarded as one of the top 10 noodle dishes in China. 

Visitors to Zhouzhuang need to purchase an entrance ticket that costs 100 yuan (14.8 U.S. dollars) per person. Boat rides are not included in the price. 

From Shanghai by car, it's about a one-and-a-half-hour drive. Another way to reach Zhouzhuang is to take the bullet train to Kunshan Station and then transfer to a bus for the rest of the way.