Luzhi, a renowned ancient town in the Jiangnan water‑rich region, now belongs to Wuzhong District of Suzhou. Situated in the eastern part of the city, it lies 18 kilometers west of Suzhou’s urban center and 58 kilometers east of Shanghai. With a registered population of nearly 80,000 and a permanent resident population exceeding 200,000, Luzhi covers a total area of 114.42 square kilometers, including 32.81 square kilometers of Cheng Lake. “Almond blossoms in spring rain along narrow lanes, paulownia leaves in fine drizzle at dusk, little bridges over flowing streams and homes by the water”—Luzhi epitomizes the quintessential charm of Jiangnan’s water towns, celebrated for its abundant waters, numerous bridges, winding alleys, historic residences, and distinguished figures. It is further famed worldwide for its sculpted wall‑mounted Arhats—half of the two-and-a-half halls of Arhats said to exist in the world—and for the traditional costumes of its water‑town women. Luzhi shares the same age as Suzhou’s ancient city, boasting a historical legacy of more than 2,500 years—a rarity in the Jiangnan region. Its origins trace back to the Spring and Autumn period; it flourished during the Han dynasties, reached its zenith in the Wei and Jin eras, and thrived in the Ming and Qing periods. During the Liang dynasty’s Tianjian era, Luzhi was known as “Fuli”; by the Song and Yuan dynasties, it had begun to take shape; and in the Ming era, it became “the foremost township in the eastern district,” attracting merchants and housing nearly ten thousand households. In the Qing period, it was renamed Luzhi, earning the reputation: “One city in Kunshan cannot match half a town in Luzhi.” The town’s intricate network of waterways has earned it the nicknames “the shore of the Five Lakes” (Cheng Lake, Qianwan Lake, Jinji Lake, Dushu Lake, and Yangcheng Lake) and “the confluence of Six Waters” (Wusong River, Qingshui River, Nantang River, Jiepu River, Dongtang River, and Dazhi River). Built alongside the water, Luzhi presents an enchanting tableau: tranquil streams, meandering rivers, graceful bridges, narrow streets, deep alleyways, long corridors, mottled whitewashed walls, and dark, elegant tiled roofs, with unevenly spaced houses and a vibrant tapestry of merchants. Its long history, picturesque Jiangnan scenery, profound cultural heritage, and wealth of historic sites have left visitors in awe—no wonder Mr. Fei Xiaotong hailed Luzhi as “the premier water‑town of China.”

The “three horizontal and three vertical” waterway layout: At the heart of the ancient town, the South Market River, East Market River, and West Market River converge, forming an “upward‑shaped” network of waterways. With a dense web of canals and bridges crisscrossing in every direction, the town is famously known as the “town of seventy-two and a half ancient bridges,” boasting a bridge density of 48.3 per square kilometer and earning the reputation of being the “Chinese Museum of Bridge History.”

White walls and dark-tiled roofs, with streets in front and rivers behind: the traditional residences are mostly in the Ming and Qing styles, built alongside the water. The lanes and alleyways are paved with stone slabs or cobblestones; once the rain stops, the paths dry quickly. The most iconic alley stretches 150 meters in length.Detailed+

Luzhi Ancient Town, located in Wuzhong District of Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, is a time-honored water town with a history spanning more than 2,500 years. As old as Suzhou’s ancient city itself, it boasts a profound cultural and historical heritage, seamlessly blending natural waterways, well-preserved historic architecture, the legacies of renowned figures, and intangible cultural traditions. It is widely acclaimed as “China’s Premier Water Town.”
During the Pre-Qin period: at the end of the Shang dynasty, the area belonged to the State of Gouwu; in the Spring and Autumn period, King Helü of Wu built a suburban palace to the southwest of the town, and the village was named “Fuli” because it covered an area of one li.
From the Qin and Han dynasties through the Tang dynasty: During the Qin period, Wu County was established, with Luzhi under its jurisdiction; in the first year of the Wansui era of the Tang dynasty (696), it was transferred to Changzhou County.
Song, Ming, and Qing periods: During the Northern Song, it belonged to Yiren Township and other administrative units; in the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was known as Wudong Town, thriving thanks to its waterway transportation.
Modern and Contemporary Era: Officially opened to the public in 1998, and designated a “Famous Historical and Cultural Town of China” in 2003.

Detailed+