A look at Tianzhuang ancient town in Fenghuang town, Zhangjiagang, a county-level city of Suzhou, during the winter. [Photo/WeChat account: zhangjiagangfabu365]

Tianzhuang ancient town in Fenghuang town, Zhangjiagang, a county level city of Suzhou, Jiangsu province, as well as its four traditional buildings were included on the list of the first batch of Suzhou traditional villages and Suzhou traditional buildings (complexes) in villages and towns.

Located on the east foot of Heyang Mountain in Fenghuang town, Tianzhuang was founded in the middle period of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). At present, the ancient characteristics of the water town have been retained, including its revetment, arch bridge, water alleys, and narrow flagstone street.

The north street of Tianzhuang is 280 meters long and paved with more than 400 flagstones. [Photo/WeChat account: zhangjiagangfabu365]

Xiputang, the river along Tianzhuang village, was the waterway connecting the village with Suzhou, Songjiang in Shanghai, as well as Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, which contributed to its prosperity in the past.

Tianzhuang boasts well-preserved ancient buildings, such as the mansion built by the famous dutiful son Yang Dai in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), which consists of the mansion for Yang Yisun, who was Yang Dai's offspring and won second place at the final imperial examination, an ancestral temple, as well as another residential building.

Currently, modernity and tradition merge in this village, with traditional blacksmith's shops, snack bars, trendy coffee shops, as well as cultural and creative product shops coexisting. Being included in the list of Suzhou traditional villages will increase the ancient village's cultural value.