Jiaxing

Quintessential Jiangnan water towns: Wuzhen's East and West Scenic Zones by night, Xitang's covered corridors in the misty rain and the Red Boat on Jiaxing's South Lake make up the Yangtze River Delta's most popular water-town combination.

Jiaxing lies in northeastern Zhejiang in the heart of the Hangjiahu Plain, bordering Shanghai to the east, Suzhou to the north and Hangzhou to the west. The Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal runs through the city, a classic Jiangnan water town, and it administers Tongxiang (Wuzhen), Jiashan (Xitang), Haining (Yanguan), Pinghu and Haiyan. It is where the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China concluded (aboard the Red Boat on South Lake), and it is also home to the delta's two best-known water towns, Wuzhen and Xitang, as well as Yanguan in Haining, the best spot for watching the Qiantang River tidal bore — together forming a "water towns + revolutionary history + tidal bore" route. A visit falls into four parts: first, Wuzhen in Tongxiang (West Scenic Zone for night views and overnight stays, the more authentic old streets of the East Scenic Zone, and the Muxin Art Museum), worth a night's stay; second, Xitang in Jiashan (the covered Misty Rain Corridor, Shipi Lane and the bar street at night), good for an evening visit; third, South Lake in downtown Jiaxing (Misty Rain Tower, the Red Boat and the South Lake Revolutionary Memorial Hall) and the Yuehe historic quarter; fourth, tidal-bore watching at Yanguan in Haining (most spectacular around the 18th day of the 8th lunar month). The climate is subtropical monsoon; Mar–May and Sep–Nov are ideal. In Oct–Nov the Wuzhen Theatre Festival and the World Internet Conference bring many events, while in winter the water towns' lanterns and occasional snow have a special charm; the plum-rain season (Jun–Jul) is hot and humid. Getting there: Jiaxing South Station is on the Shanghai–Hangzhou high-speed railway (about 30 minutes to Shanghai and 20 minutes to Hangzhou); Tongxiang Station is about 20 minutes by car from Wuzhen, and Wuzhen has direct coaches to Shanghai and Hangzhou; Xitang is about 15 minutes by car from Jiashan South Station; Yanguan is about 1 hour from downtown Jiaxing. Allow 3 days: a day and a night in Wuzhen, half a day plus an evening in Xitang, half a day for South Lake and Yuehe, plus another half day in tidal-bore season. Admission: Wuzhen West Scenic Zone about ¥150, East Scenic Zone about ¥110, combo ticket about ¥190; Xitang about ¥95 (free entry to the town after 17:00, with separate rules announced for holidays); South Lake is free, but the boat to the lake island costs extra — check official sources. Food: Jiaxing zongzi (Wufangzhai), Wuzhen lamb noodles and Sanbai liquor, Xitang steamed pork in lotus leaf, and South Lake water caltrops. Tips: the water towns are extremely crowded on holidays, so visit on weekdays if you can; to see the West Scenic Zone at night you must stay inside the scenic area or buy a night ticket; when watching the tidal bore, always stay in safe areas and never climb over the railings.

Top sights

• Wuzhen West Scenic Zone (Xizha) – A water town comprehensively preserved and developed into a 'resort ancient town', with waterside guesthouses, sculling boats and lights re…
• Xitang Ancient Town – A 'thousand-year-old town that is still alive', with the kilometre-long Misty Rain Corridor, narrow Shipi Alley and a button museum. Red la…
• South Lake & Red Boat – The 'Red Boat' on which the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China concluded is moored by an islet in South Lake. Yanyu To…
• Yanguan Tidal Bore Viewing – The best viewing point for the 'Haining Tide'. The single-line tidal bore of the Qiantang River rushes in like a thousand galloping troops…
• Wuzhen East Scenic Zone (Dongzha) – Wuzhen's earliest developed area, an old street still lived in by local residents, with the Mao Dun Former Residence, the Jiangnan Bed Muse…
• Muxin Art Museum – A modern building on Yuanbao Lake beside Wuzhen's West Zone, displaying works and manuscripts by the writer and painter Muxin. It is a favo…
• Yuehe Historic Block – The best-preserved canal-side old street in Jiaxing's old city, with Yuehe, Tanlong and the Zongzi Culture Museum. Try Wufangzhai zongzi an…
• Nanhu Revolutionary Memorial Hall – A red-themed museum on the east shore of South Lake, presenting the history of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China…
• Jiaxing Zicheng Site Park – The administrative core of old Jiaxing, with a watchtower over the gate and archaeological remains showing the layout of a thousand-year-ol…
• Meiwan Street – A Republican-era historic street on the west bank of South Lake, home to the former residence of Shen Junru, with quiet lanes running besid…
• Jiaxing Museum – A general museum on the shore of South Lake, with highlights of artefacts from the Majiabang culture and the local history of Jiaxing.
• Jiaxing Railway Station (Century-old Station) – A Republican-era station house rebuilt to its 1921 appearance, where delegates to the CPC's First National Congress once got off on their w…
• Wucun Village Resort – A Jiangnan countryside resort beside Wuzhen West Scenic Area, with an all-inclusive package covering stay, meals and activities, ideal for…
• Puyuan Ancient Town – A Tongxiang old town famed for silk and wool knitwear, where restored old streets, bridges and night views have become popular in recent ye…
• Yuanyuantang (Feng Zikai Former Residence) – Feng Zikai's former residence in Shimen, Tongxiang, displaying his cartoons and life story; the canal-side town is very quiet.
• Xu Zhimo Former Residence – A small villa blending Chinese and Western styles on Ganhe Street in Shiqiao, Haining, the newlywed home of poet Xu Zhimo and Lu Xiaoman.
• Wang Guowei Former Residence – The former home of the great scholar Wang Guowei inside Yanguan Ancient Town, a Jiangnan-style residence that can be combined with a tidal…
• Nanbei Lake – A scenic area in Haiyan County where mountain, lake and sea meet; from Yingkeding Peak you can see the rare “sun and moon rising together.”
• Jiulongshan Resort (Pinghu) – A seaside resort on the shore of Hangzhou Bay in Pinghu, with beaches, a forest park and sea views, and very close to Shanghai.
• Mo's Manor – A well-preserved late Qing landowner's manor inside Pinghu city, with finely restored scenes of daily life in a wealthy Jiangnan household.
• Gefeisong Chocolate Town – A chocolate-themed town in Dayun, Jiashan, where you can tour the factory production line and make your own chocolate; great for families.
• Xincheng Ancient Town – A free-entry, unspoiled ancient town in Xiuzhou, Jiaxing, with old temples, streets and traditional snacks that keep the feel of everyday l…
• Meihuazhou Scenic Area – A water-town scenic area in Fengqiao, Nanhu District, where old bridges, Shifo Temple and plum groves form a small but charming rural water…
• Haining China Leather City – A nationally known leather garment market with plenty of leather jackets and fur options; shopping tour groups are common in autumn and win…
• Qi Garden – A Qing private garden in the Haiyan county seat, known for its rockeries and water features and praised as “the finest garden in central Zh…
• Jin Yong's Former Residence – The birthplace of wuxia novelist Jin Yong (Louis Cha Leung-yung) in Yuanhua Town, Haining, with displays on the Cha family and Jin Yong's l…
• Changhong Bridge – The largest surviving three-arch solid stone bridge on the Grand Canal, part of the Grand Canal World Heritage, in Wangjiangjing Town, Jiax…

Where to eat

• Wufangzhai (Jiaxing Flagship) – The flagship of the Wufangzhai heritage brand on Jianguo South Road, famous for Jiaxing zongzi. Freshly cooked pork zon…
• Shusheng Lamb Noodle House – A lamb noodle house inside the Xizha scenic area of Wuzhen, serving braised Hu lamb with noodles. It is a common meal w…
• Linxiao Shifu · Taste of Old Xitang – A Jiangnan home-style restaurant on Taswan Street in Xitang Ancient Town, where tri-color shrimp and tofu is the dish m…
• Xinjinggang Restaurant (Xitang Branch) – A local home-style restaurant outside the Xitang scenic area, with a spacious hall and generous portions. Seasonal vege…

Itineraries

• Hangzhou, Wuzhen, Shaoxing, Ningbo & Mount Putuo – A classic first-timer's route from West Lake to the Guanyin Statue of the South Sea, connecting water towns, ancient ci…
• Hangzhou Slow Tour and Wuzhen – Stay in the old town near Hefang Street, explore West Lake, the Lingyin tea hills and the Grand Canal in depth, and add…
• Jiangnan Classic: Shanghai, Suzhou, Wuzhen & Hangzhou – Travel from Shanghai through the classical gardens of Suzhou and the water town of Wuzhen to West Lake in Hangzhou on a…
• Hangzhou Suburbs, Moganshan and Wuzhen – Four nights on the West Lake shore for city highlights, Liangzhu and Xixi, then Shaoxing, the bamboo sea of Moganshan a…