The beautiful and peaceful city of Zhouzhuang not only houses preserved residences and bridges from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, but also boasts ancient Spring Festival customs and culture. If you want to have a different New Year’s holiday, come to Zhouzhuang and spend a special Spring Festival here!

Zhouzhuang’s Spring Festival is special because of the culture of the god of wealth. According to the legend, Shen Wansan was born in Zhouzhuang during the Ming Dynasty. He was known as the god of wealth for his fortune. To pray for the blessing of the god of wealth, Zhouzhuang holds a giant sacrificial ceremony on the fifth day of Lunar New Year every year.

When you visit Zhouzhuang during Spring Festival, you can join in the ceremony and pray for luck and prosperity in the New Year.

Little New Year, which falls about a week before Lunar New Year, is also known as the Festival of the Kitchen God, the deity who oversees the moral character of each household. On that day, Zhouzhuang will hold a sacrificial ceremony for the kitchen god at Shen’s House, the residence of Shen Wansan’s descendants.