The Shen Family Mansion (沈厅) is the grandest of Zhouzhuang's old residences, built in 1742 across seven courtyards and more than a hundred rooms. The compound stretches from a street-facing ceremonial hall all the way back to private living quarters facing the canal, with carved wooden screens, painted beams, and stone-paved courtyards in between. The scale alone is impressive: this was the home of a merchant dynasty wealthy enough to effectively control regional grain trade.
The mansion is included in the general entrance ticket and is well-preserved. The rooms are furnished with period furniture, and informational panels explain the social hierarchy of the household. The rear courtyard has direct canal access — the stone jetty where the family once loaded and unloaded boats is intact and still functional.