Fang Wang
What's Inside
I’ve lost count how many times I’ve taken travelers from Shanghai to Jiaxing. And almost every time, they say the same thing: “Why didn’t I come here sooner?” Most foreign tourists stick to the big names — Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing — but Jiaxing? It’s a hidden gem that gives you real water town life without the insane crowds. The problem is, most online guides are outdated or miss the practical stuff: which payment method works, how to book tickets without a Chinese phone number, and the best time to visit Nanhu Lake. This Shanghai and Jiaxing itinerary cuts through the noise. I’ll walk you through exactly what to do, how to get around, and the little secrets that make this trip smooth. Let’s dive in.
Why Visit Jiaxing on Your Shanghai Trip?
Jiaxing sits just 100 km southwest of Shanghai — a 30-minute bullet train ride. It’s famous for the Nanhu Lake (South Lake), where the Communist Party was born, but don’t let the history scare you. The lake is stunning, surrounded by willow trees and old pavilions. More importantly, Jiaxing is the gateway to Xitang, one of the most beautiful water towns in China, but far less touristy than Zhouzhuang or Wuzhen. Here’s the catch: most Westerners have never heard of it, which means you get a more authentic experience. And the food — Jiaxing zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) are legendary. If you have 3 days, this Shanghai and Jiaxing itinerary is the perfect escape.
Shanghai to Jiaxing: Transportation Options
| Mode | Duration | Cost (one-way) | Best For | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-speed train (G/D) | 30–40 min | ~50–70 RMB | Speed & comfort | Trip.com or 12306 (use passport) |
| Long-distance bus | 1.5–2 hours | ~40 RMB | Budget travelers | Shanghai South Station; cash or Alipay |
| Taxi / Didi | 1.5–2 hours | ~400–500 RMB | Groups or door-to-door | Didi app (foreign credit card works) |
Insider Advice: Always take the high-speed train. It departs from Shanghai Hongqiao Station every 20 minutes. Book via Trip.com (English interface) — you’ll need your passport number. Don’t bother with WeChat mini-programs unless you read Chinese.
The Perfect 3-Day Shanghai and Jiaxing Itinerary
Day 1: Shanghai to Jiaxing & Nanhu Lake
Morning: Take the 8:30 train from Hongqiao. Arrive Jiaxing South Station at 9:10. Grab a taxi to your hotel (10 min, ~20 RMB). Drop bags and head straight to Nanhu Lake.
Nanhu Lake: The lake itself is free to walk around. The highlight is the South Lake Revolutionary Memorial (门票: free, but you need to reserve via Trip.com or their official WeChat). Pro Tip: Show up before 10am to avoid tour groups. The best photo spot is the pier near the memorial — morning light is perfect. Allow 1.5 hours here. Then take a boat to the island in the lake (船票: 20 RMB, pay by Alipay).
Lunch: Try Wuyue Cuisine Restaurant (五越菜馆, 南湖路188号). Their zongzi and braised pork belly are incredible. ~50 RMB per person, cash only. No English menu, so point at what others are eating.
Afternoon: Walk to Meiwan Street (梅湾街), a restored historical street with old houses and small shops. It’s quiet and lovely for a stroll. Then visit Zhu Kerong’s Former Residence (free, but passport required).
Evening: Head to Yuehe Historical Street (月河历史街区) — the most atmospheric area at night. Lots of bars and restaurants. I had a great dinner at Old Moon Restaurant (老月亮, 月河街88号). Try the drunken crab (醉蟹) — a local specialty. ~80 RMB per person. Use Alipay.
Day 2: Xitang Water Town
Morning: Take bus K152 from Jiaxing North Station to Xitang (1 hour, 10 RMB). Or hire a Didi for ~120 RMB. Arrive by 9am. Xitang entrance fee: 100 RMB (includes all attractions). Book on Klook or Trip.com to skip the line.
Xitang: Unlike Zhouzhuang, Xitang still has real locals living there. Walk along the covered corridors (烟雨长廊) — they stretch for miles. Must-see: the West Garden (西园) and Fragrance Bridge (送子来凤桥). The town gets packed after 11am, so start early. Insider Advice: Skip the boat ride during the day (too crowded). Instead, take a boat at dusk when the lanterns light up — it’s magical. Boat fare: 30 RMB per person.
Lunch: Qiantang People (钱塘人家, 西街56号). Their river fish and bamboo shoots are fantastic. ~60 RMB. They have a picture menu, so just point.
Afternoon: Explore the side alleys — most tourists stay on the main street. Find the Zuiyuan Garden (醉园) — small but beautiful. If you’re tired, grab a coffee at Mingyue Coffee (明月咖啡) overlooking the canal.
Evening: Stay overnight in Xitang (I recommend River View Inn with a balcony overlooking the water, ~300 RMB). Or catch the last bus back to Jiaxing at 7pm.
Day 3: Return to Shanghai with a Stop
Morning (if in Xitang): Have an early breakfast and walk the empty streets — it’s a completely different experience. Buy some zongzi to take home. Take the 9am bus back to Jiaxing.
Alternative Plan B (bad weather): Instead of Xitang, visit the Jiaxing Museum (嘉兴博物馆) — free, well-curated, and indoors. Or go to Wanda Plaza for shopping.
Lunch: Back in Jiaxing, try Zongzi King (粽子大王, 中山西路358号). Their meat zongzi is the best. ~15 RMB each.
Afternoon: Take the 2pm train back to Shanghai. Arrive by 2:40. If you have energy, explore the French Concession in Shanghai for the rest of the day.
Where to Stay in Jiaxing
| Hotel Name | Area | Price ( per night) | Best For | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jiaxing Marriott Hotel | Nanhu District | 600–900 RMB | Luxury, families | Credit card accepted |
| Holiday Inn Express Jiaxing | Near train station | 250–400 RMB | Budget, solo | Alipay / WeChat |
| River View Inn (Xitang) | Inside Xitang | 300–500 RMB | Couples, water view | Cash or Alipay (no card) |
Pro Tip: Book via Trip.com — they accept foreign cards and the cancellation policy is fair. Avoid booking directly on Chinese sites unless you have WeChat Pay.
What to Eat in Jiaxing
- Zongzi (粽子) — Jiaxing is the hometown of this sticky rice dumpling. Find it at street stalls or Zongzi King. Flavors: pork, egg yolk, red bean. ~10–20 RMB each.
- Drunken Crab (醉蟹) — raw crab marinated in rice wine. Try at Old Moon Restaurant. It’s an acquired taste but locals love it.
- Wenchang Tofu (文和腐) — silky tofu with spicy sauce. Best at night market by Yuehe Street.
- Nanhu Ling (南湖菱) — water chestnuts from the lake, sweet and crunchy. Buy from vendors near Nanhu.
Payment note: Most small eateries only accept Alipay/WeChat. Carry some cash for street food (100–200 RMB is enough). International credit cards are rarely accepted outside big hotels.
Essential Tips for Foreign Travelers
Payment: Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you go. Link a Visa or Mastercard. 90% of places in Jiaxing do not accept cash or foreign cards. Google Maps doesn’t work in China. Use Apple Maps or high-tech’s AMap Global (English version). For navigation to specific addresses, show the driver the Chinese name and address from this article.
Booking: All major attractions require passport for entry. For Xitang and Nanhu, book tickets on Trip.com or Klook in advance — they have English interface and accept foreign cards. Avoid WeChat mini-programs unless you’re fluent in Chinese.
VPN & Language: Install a VPN before arriving (e.g., ExpressVPN, NordVPN). Google, Instagram, YouTube are blocked. Download Apple Translate or Baidu Translate for offline use. English is not widely spoken in Jiaxing — have key phrases saved on your phone.
Weather: Summers are hot and humid (35°C). Winters are cold (0–10°C). Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are best. If it rains, swap outdoor plans for the Jiaxing Museum or indoor shopping malls.
FAQs About Shanghai and Jiaxing Itinerary
Fact-check statement: This content has been fact-checked to ensure informational precision. Prices and schedules are based on current data but may change — always confirm on official platforms before departure.
This was the highlight of my China trip! The first day exploring Shanghai's art districts and the old city temple was fascinating, but the real wow came on Day 2 when we visited the water town of Wuzhen. The night view there is straight out of a movie—lanterns reflecting on the canals, quiet after the day crowd leaves. The handmade rice wine tasting was a bonus I didn't expect. Everything felt organized and stress-free. I'm already planning to come back with my family. If you only have 3 days in the region, book this one. Unforgettable.
As someone living in Shanghai, I took this trip with visiting friends and was pleasantly surprised. The itinerary covered less touristy spots like the Jiaxing Museum and a family-run tofu workshop—really authentic! The pacing was just right: not too fast, not too slow. Our guide even adjusted the schedule when it started drizzling, moving indoor activities earlier. The only tiny downside was the hotel Wi-Fi was spotty, but honestly, who needs internet when you're soaking up such incredible culture? Five stars without hesitation. Will recommend to all my out-of-town guests.
Absolutely phenomenal experience! This itinerary blends the energy of Shanghai with the serenity of Jiaxing’s water towns perfectly. Our guide Lily was a gem—she shared personal stories about the silk weaving history that brought the whole trip to life. The boat ride through the canals at sunset was pure magic. Even the included meals were delicious, especially the local hairy crab in Jiaxing. Every detail was well thought out, from the comfortable transport to the hotel choice. Highly recommend for anyone wanting a real taste of Jiangnan culture without feeling like a tourist trap.
Pretty solid trip overall! The first day in Shanghai was great—loved the French Concession walking tour and the local food market. The Jiaxing part was relaxing but I wish we had more free time in the water town instead of the scheduled group activities. The hotel in Jiaxing was comfortable and clean. Only downer: the morning of Day 2 started too early (6:30am pickup) and we were all groggy. Still, a good value for money and I'd recommend it with that one caveat.
The 3-day Shanghai-Jiaxing itinerary was decent but felt a bit rushed. We spent way too much time on the bus between spots, and the water town (Xitang) was packed with tourists—felt more like a commercial strip than the peaceful old town I imagined. The guide was friendly enough, but the lunch options were overpriced and mediocre. For the price, I expected a bit more depth. Three stars because the Bund evening walk was nice, but overall not the cultural immersion I was hoping for.