Zhoucun Ancient Commercial Town Travel Guide, How Much Do You Know?

Here's a travel guide for Zhoucun Ancient Commercial Town: Transportation Guide • Public Transportation: From downtown Zibo, you can take a bus to Zhoucun Ancient Commercial Town, which takes about 30 mins. Many bus routes in Zibo go directly to the ancient commercial town. • Driving: From downtown Zibo, take the G20 Qingyin Expressway. After exiting the expressway, follow the road signs to reach the destination. The parking lot at the ancient commercial town has ample capacity and is convenient for parking. Ticket Information Zhoucun Ancient Commercial Town charges an entrance fee, which is around CNY 40. After purchasing a ticket, you can freely explore the town. Some specific exhibition halls may require separate tickets. It is recommended to check relevant information in advance. Accommodation Recommendations • Homestays: There are various accommodation options near Zhoucun Ancient Commercial Town. You can choose to stay in local homestays or hotels. Homestays not only provide a cozy living environment but also allow tourists to experience the warmth and hospitality of the locals. Many homestays retain the old architectural style while providing modern facilities. • Hotels: Zhoucun and the surrounding areas offer a wide range of choices, from budget-friendly hotels to upscale hotels. Suggested Itinerary • Stop 1: Folklore Exhibition Hall: Experience using a millstone and a roller. • Stop 2: Meiliu Workshop: Watch the production of glass ornaments on Saturdays and Sundays. • Stop 3: Zhoucun Shortbread Museum: Experience the making of Zhoucun shortbread. • Stop 4: Zhuangyuan Mansion: Visit the standard three-entrance, deep courtyard house and private back garden, and experience the culture of the Zhuangyuan (top scorer in the imperial examination). • Stop 5: Today's Tax-Free Stele: Learn about the story of Li Huaxi and the Zhoucun tax-free zone. • Stop 6: Ticket and Certificate Museum: See a private collection of various old trademarks and objects from Zhoucun and Shandong. • Stop 7: Old Movie Museum: See old-fashioned projectors and watch classic old movies. • Stop 8: Draft Bank Exhibition Hall: Learn about the secrets of ancient bank deposit and withdrawal passwords and the underground vault. • Stop 9: Yang Family Courtyard: Visit the filming location of the TV series *Dry Dock* and watch wonderful magic shows. • Stop 10: The Big Dye House: Experience the ancient movie - slideshows, and learn about the dyeing and weaving techniques of Zhoucun silk. • Stop 11: Kuixing Pavilion: Visit the Bixia Yuanjun Temple of Taoism, the Guanyin Temple of Buddhism, and the Kuixing Pavilion of Confucianism. • Stop 12: Huilong Lake: Visit the Samsung Temple and enjoy the scenery of Huilong Lake. • Stop 13: Thousand Buddha Temple: Visit the Thousand Buddha Pavilion, Guan Di Shrine, Three Righteousness Hall, Arhat Hall, Maitreya Hall, and Guanyin Hall. Food Recommendations • Zhoucun Shortbread: Crispy on the outside and rich on the inside, it is a local specialty snack. • Tofu Pudding: Delicious, with a pleasant color, aroma, and taste. • Zhoucun Hot Pot: Unique taste, worth a try. • Mutton Soup: Made with fresh mutton, the soup is delicious and especially suitable for drinking in cold winters. • Cake Shop: Unique baking techniques that leave a lasting impression. Special Experiences • Traditional Handicraft Experience: Participate in tie-dyeing, traditional hand-reeling silk, silkworm cocoon painting, archery, pot throwing, plant rubbing and dyeing, pottery, lantern making, and more than ten other study courses. • Folk Activities: Various folk activities are often held in the ancient commercial town, such as temple fairs and opera performances. Tourists can sing and dance with the locals and experience the strong festive atmosphere. • Cultural Exhibitions: Visit the Zhoucun Museum, Draft Bank Exhibition Hall, etc., to learn more about the history and culture of Zhoucun. Best Time to Visit Spring and autumn are pleasant seasons, suitable for strolling and sightseeing. Every year in the fourth lunar month, Zhoucun Ancient Commercial Town also holds a traditional temple fair, which is lively and worth seeing. Hope this guide helps you better plan your trip to Zhoucun Ancient Commercial Town!