Zhoucun Old Town falls under the administration of Zibo City of Shandong Province, China, located 263 miles south of Beijing. This ancient village is known as the birthplace of Shandong commerce. Early in the 20th century, Zhoucun’s strategic position for overland trading routes led to it becoming a hub for banking and the trading in silk and tobacco. The Zhoucun Old Town became a national AAAA tourist site in 2008, featuring museums, shops, restaurants, and cultural performances. As a commercial town with a thousand-year history, it has hosted various kinds of excellent scenic spots.
Temples
o Kuixing Temple
The Kuixing Temple was established in 1852, during the reign of Emperor Xianfeng. The temple consists of three great temple halls: the Yuanjun Hall of Bixia Ancestral Temple; the Kuixing Pavillion, and the Jade Buddha Temple. The Kuixing Temple is one of the best-preserved and intact old world temples in Zhoucun.
o Thousand Buddha Temple
Thousand Buddha temple group is the intact existing ancient religious architectural group in Zhoucun. It was initiated in Tang Dynasty and expanded in the following dynasties with features of grand magnificence and schools of religion. There are six halls such as Thousand Buddha Pavilion, Temple of Guan Yu, Sanyi Dian, Luo Han Tang, Maitreya Hall and Guanyin Temple, etc.
Exhibitions
o Private Bank Exhibition Hall
Visiting 132 Silver Market Street, you will find the Private Bank Exhibition Hall. Formerly, this was the site of the Zhoucun branch of Shanxi Dadetong private bank during the reign of the Guangxu emperor (1875-1908) of the Qing Dynasty. There are seven exhibition halls, showing an historical account of the emergence, development, prosperity, and decline of Zhoucun.
o Folk Custom Exhibition Hall
If you are interested in the customs, rituals and habits of the people of the Shandong region with their unique folk customs, the Folk Custom Exhibition Hall is necessary. Attracting visitors from all over China and indeed the world, this exhibit shows real objects formerly used for wedding and birthday celebrations, festivals and provide general entertainment.
Entertainment
o Big Dyeing Workshop
According to legend, a 15-year-old orphan boy called Chen Liuzi was compelled to beg to survive. Notwithstanding his circumstances, he was clever and determined to succeed, having a strong character. He finally succeeds twenty years later, to become a business tycoon in Zhoucun. This site was used for the filming of a TV series by the same name, based on Chen Liuzi’s life.
o Yang’s Courtyard
Yang’s Courtyard was the site for filming of the TV series “Dry Dock”. The story focuses on the legendary business life of Yang Ruiqing (a Shandong businessperson) as well as his love story. When “Dry Dock” was broadcasted at CCTV-1, an audience of millions was introduced to the classic architecture and traditional customs of Zhoucun.
Museums
o Zibo Art Museum
Privately held, the Zibo Art Museum is only of the largest private museums in Shandong province. A significant array of Buddhist statues, jade artefacts, porcelain pieces, artwork, calligraphy, and stone inscriptions fill seven exhibition rooms.
o Zhoucun Sesame Cake Museum
Down the Main Street, you will find the Zhoucun Sesame Cake Museum, protected by the State Council as partof the country’s “National Intangible Cultural Heritage.” Experts in sesame cake baking; you can buy cakes that are fragrant, thin, and crisp. Her you can learn about the history of sesame cake baking and even have the opportunity of baking a cake yourself.
Present and Past
o Mansion for the number 1 Scholar
The Mansion was built in 1709 and was once the home of martial arts champion Wang Yingtong. The mansion features 35 500 square feet martial arts practicing salon, three courtyards, and a garden.
o Rui Fu Xiang
Rui Fu Xiang, one of the most famous silk clothes brands, started its business in Zhoucun. The first five-star national flag used during of the People’s Republic of China, the dragon robe that Yuan Shikai wore and the long-lived robe that Empress Dowager Cixi wore are all produced by Ruifuxiang. Key offices of Ruifuxiang exist in Beijing, Jinan, Qingdao, and Shanghai.
Summary:
From temples to exhibitions and museums to entertainment, Zhoucun has it all to attract tourists from all across the world.