Location: Yinzibang Natural Village of Dongbang Administrative Village in Zhouzhuang Town, Kunshan City, Suzhou
Time of Construction: Before the Yuan Dynasty
Population: 120
Introduction of Yinzibang Village:
The natural village of Yinzibang (“Yinzibang” means “a silver brook”.), located at the administrative village of Dongbang in Zhouzhuang Town, covers an area of 0.03 square kilometre with 120 permanent residents in 32 households. The layout of the village features two parallel streets running from the east end to the west one, one of them running through the village while the other along the river. Yingzibang situates in the scenic area of Zhouzhuang Town known as “No. 1 Water Town in China” and was a popular tourist destination even in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Today, the village has become a key place of interest for night tours around the Zhouzhuang area.
According to The Draft of Zhenfeng Genealogy compiled in Emperor Jiaqing’s reign of the Qing Dynasty, “At the Jin-Gou-Diao-Yue Bay (“Jin Gou Diao Yue” means “moon fishing with a golden hook”.) of Yinzibang, there is an ancient underwater tomb. When water becomes clear and transparent in autumn, one can see it when bending down.” The Chronicles of Zhouzhuang Town written in Emperor Guangxu’s reign of the Qing Dynasty noted that “Yinzibang is the garden residence of Shen Wansan, where Taihu stones still can be seen. At the end of Yinzibang River, there is an expanse of clear water which is connected with the mouth of a spring at the bottom. The watercourse here makes a zigzag and contains water even during drought periods. Upon the river a small hill was piled and named ‘Jin Gou Diao Yue’.” Shen Wansan’s waterbed tomb lies beneath the clear water of Yinzibang River. When sunshine pours onto the surface of the river, the ripples and reflections give one the illusion that tiny bits of silver are glittering. Legend has it that even during the most serious drought, Yinzibang River will not dry up. On the dry land, one can find a stone memorial archway, an altar, a tablet and a pavilion. The carved couplets on both sides of the archway read: “Recalling our forefathers’ move to Zhenfeng for farming and commerce; expecting our offsprings’ stay in Zhouzhuang for home building and pavilion erecting.” Wansan Garden is located by the relics of Shen Wansan’s waterbed tomb. Today it looks more like a mini park with luxuriant vegetation for visitors to rest for a while and enjoy the surrounding scenery.
