Traveling at night is very popular in modern Zhouzhuang. At night, inns with special characteristics are quite attractive to visitors. The Home Stay Facility Industry Association was founded on March 12 to promote the transformation and upgrade of tourism and provide better services for visitors.

Zhouzhuang launched a "Living in Zhouzhuang for One Day" activity in 2004 and got positive feedback from the event. Many characteristic inns and themed hotels have emerged in recent years. There are about 160 inns and 700 beds in Zhouzhuang currently, which not only ease reception pressure but also increase Zhouzhuang's popularity. Living in the hotels, visitors can sit at the outdoor bar, taste the famous Apo tea and enjoy the soft and tender Jiangnan atmosphere.

Ye Baoguo, chairman of the Home Stay Facility Industry Association, said that there had been 150 members in the association up to now. The founding of the association can help set standards and disciplines in the home stay industry. They have drafted association articles and will star-rate every hotel by grading their facilities and services in the near future. Ye Baoguo hoped that association members can help visitors experience authentic folk traditions and customs.