Nanhu Guqin Club is a quiet building on Hougang Street in Zhouzhuang town. It is a place for traditional music enthusiasts to enjoy guqin performances. Guqin is a seven-stringed musical instrument also known as the Chinese zither.

The once white paint on the outer wall of the club has faded grey. Two lanterns over the front of door contain the Chinese character qin, which means string instrument, and cha, meaning tea in Chinese.

A wooden plate hangs next to the door containing five seal characters indicating that Nanhu Guqin Club is located inside.

Nanhu Guqin Club is located on Hougang Street in Zhouzhuang. [Photo from Zhouzhuang Tourism WeChat account zzgfweixin]

Inside the building is another plaque with four Chinese characters guo shi zhi feng, meaning the style of a state scholar. It hangs on the center of the back wall inside the main hall, above a Chinese ink painting featuring wild bamboo.

In front of the painting is a table and stool. That is where a performer would be seated when playing guqin.

Guo shi zhi feng, meaning the style of a state scholar, is engraved on a wooden beam in the main hall. [Photo from Zhouzhuang Tourism WeChat account zzgfweixin]

Tea sets and accoutrements for writing also have their place in the hall, alongside a set of sofa where guests can relax and take in the music.

The club hosts a musical gathering every month. Besides guqin music and tea, participants may also admire each other's painting and calligraphy works and chat in an incense-filled room.

The main hall of Nanhu Guqin Club is a place for guests to play guqin, taste tea and create painting and calligraphy works. [Photo from Zhouzhuang Tourism WeChat account zzgfweixin]

The club also has guest rooms for visitors.

Open time: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

Address: 42 Hougang Street, Zhouzhuang town of Kunshan city

Contact: 0512-57228818