Fang Wang
What's Inside This Guide
I've been guiding travelers through Zhejiang for over a decade. And honestly? Jiaxing is my secret weapon. Most tourists rush straight to Shanghai or Hangzhou, but they're missing out. Jiaxing has the water town charm without the wall-to-wall crowds—if you know where to go. Here's my firsthand take on the Jiaxing must-visit places that actually deliver.
Why Jiaxing Deserves a Spot on Your China Itinerary
Jiaxing sits right between Shanghai and Hangzhou—a 30-minute bullet train from either city. It's the perfect day trip or weekend escape. But here's the catch: most foreign tourists skip it because they think all water towns are the same. They're not. Jiaxing's ancient towns like Xitang and Wuzhen have distinct personalities. Plus, you'll find Nanhu Lake, where the Chinese Communist Party was founded. History nerds, rejoice.
Top 5 Must-Visit Places in Jiaxing (with Insider Tips)
1. Xitang Ancient Town – The Water Town After Dark
Xitang is my personal favorite. Why? Because it's alive at night. Most day-trippers leave by 6pm, so after sunset the stone alleys empty out. The red lanterns reflect on the canals—pure magic. I always tell my groups to stay overnight inside the town, even if it means paying a bit more for a guesthouse.
- Ticket: 95 RMB (includes most exhibits). Buy at the gate or on Trip.com – no need to book days ahead, but passport required.
- Hours: 8:00-17:00 (but you can enter the town freely after 5pm if you stay inside).
- Address: 西塘古镇, Jiashan County. Chinese for taxi: 浙江省嘉兴市嘉善县西塘镇.
- Pro Tip: The ticket booth near the main entrance is crowded. Arrive before 9am or use the side gate close to 唐家弄 (Tangjia Alley).
2. Nanhu Lake – Where History Meets Serenity
Nanhu Lake is surprisingly peaceful for a city park. The lake itself is dotted with lotus flowers in summer, and you can take a boat to the island where the South Lake Revolutionary Museum sits. I won't bore you with politics, but the view from the island is worth the 60 RMB ferry ticket.
- Ticket: Free to enter the lake area; ferry 60 RMB round-trip. Museum entry included in ferry ticket.
- Hours: Lake open 24/7; museum 9:00-17:00 (closed Mondays).
- Address: 南湖, Nanhu District. Chinese: 浙江省嘉兴市南湖区.
- Insider Advice: Go on a weekday morning. Weekends are packed with Chinese tour groups. And don't bother with the audio guide—it's only in Chinese.
3. Yuehe Historic Street – A Foodie's Haven
Yuehe Street is where locals go to eat. It's a restored canal-side lane packed with snack stalls and tiny restaurants. I always drag my groups here for lunch. Must-try: Zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) and Fried tofu with chili sauce. Most places accept Alipay, but some older vendors only take cash—keep small bills handy.
- Address: 月河历史街区, near the city center. Chinese: 浙江省嘉兴市南湖区月河历史街区.
- Opening Hours: Shops 10:00-22:00, but cafes open earlier.
- Payment: Most stalls accept WeChat Pay, but a few are cash-only. Bring 50-100 RMB in small notes.
- My favorite spot: 老王烧饼 (Lao Wang's baked cake) – a crispy flatbread stuffed with pork. Only 5 RMB.
4. South Lake Revolutionary Museum – Understand Modern China
This museum is surprisingly well-curated. Even if you're not into history, it gives context to China's modern story. The building is sleek, with English captions on most exhibits. You'll see the actual boat where the first CCP congress ended.
- Ticket: 20 RMB (or combine with Nanhu ferry for 80 RMB total).
- Hours: 9:00-17:00, closed Mondays. Last entry 16:30.
- Address: 南湖革命纪念馆, inside Nanhu Park. Chinese: 浙江省嘉兴市南湖区南湖革命纪念馆.
- Note: No photography inside the main hall. And they check bags—leave your drone at the hotel.
5. Wuzhen – The Polished Gem (But Is It Worth It?)
Wuzhen is beautiful but busy. It's the most famous of Jiaxing's water towns, and that means tourist buses. I still recommend it for first-time visitors, but go with a plan. The east part (东栅) is quieter and more authentic; the west part (西栅) is commercial but photogenic.
- Ticket: East 110 RMB, West 150 RMB, combined 190 RMB. Book online via Trip.com to skip the line.
- Hours: East 7:00-18:00, West 9:00-22:00 (light show at 7pm).
- Address: 乌镇, Tongxiang. Chinese: 浙江省嘉兴市桐乡市乌镇.
- Don't waste time: The boat ride in West (60 RMB per person) is overpriced. Walk the canals instead.
How to Get Around Jiaxing: Transportation & Navigation Hacks
Jiaxing's public transport is decent. The high-speed rail station (嘉兴南站) connects to Shanghai (30 min) and Hangzhou (25 min). From the station to the city center, take bus 93 or Didi (about 40 RMB).
To reach the water towns: For Xitang, take bus K222 from Jiaxing North Bus Station (2 hours, 12 RMB). For Wuzhen, direct bus from Jiaxing North (1 hour, 25 RMB). Or rent a car with driver—many hotels can arrange it for around 300-400 RMB per day.
Navigation: Apple Maps works reasonably well in Jiaxing. For real-time traffic, download AMap (高德地图) – it has an English mode. Show the Chinese address above to your Didi driver.
Where to Stay in Jiaxing: Best Areas for Foreign Travelers
| Area | Best For | Price Range (night) | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Center (南湖区) | First-time visitors, business | 300-600 RMB | Close to Nanhu Lake, good restaurants, English-speaking hotels | Not near water towns |
| Xitang Ancient Town | Couples, photographers | 200-500 RMB (inside guesthouse) | Magical night atmosphere, authentic | Noise from tourists until 10pm |
| Wuzhen (West area) | Families, luxury seekers | 500-1000 RMB | Beautiful scenery, many amenities | Expensive, very commercial |
My pick: Stay inside Xitang for one night. You'll get the water town experience after the crowds leave. Book a guesthouse with good Wi-Fi—some old buildings have weak signals. And ask the owner to help you with taxi bookings.
Paying in Jiaxing: Alipay, WeChat, and the Cash Reality
Cash is disappearing fast. Most hotels, restaurants, and ticket counters accept Alipay and WeChat Pay. If you have a foreign card, link it to Alipay before you come (it's easier than you think). I always carry 200-300 RMB in case of emergency—like the old lady selling snacks at Yuehe Street who only takes cash.
Credit cards: Visa/Mastercard are rarely accepted at small shops. Only international chain hotels and some large restaurants take them. Use AliPay wherever possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jiaxing Travel
Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.
Absolute lifesaver for a solo traveler avoiding crowds! The tip to enter Nanxun through the east gate instead of the main entrance saved me 30 minutes of queue. Spent a whole afternoon cycling along the less-touristy eastern canal — no touts, just willow trees and old ladies selling freshly steamed zongzi. Felt like stepping into a Ming Dynasty painting. 5 stars, sharing this with everyone I meet.
Finally a guide that doesn't send you straight to the rip-off souvenir stalls! We followed the 'back alley walking route' in Wuzhen's west section and saw actual residents making bamboo baskets and drying fish. The silence between the canals at dusk was magical. Our kids loved feeding the stray cats near the old stone bridge. 5 stars — this is how you experience a real water town.
Honestly, this guide disappointed me. The 'secret' morning route through Moon River was full of selfie sticks at 7:30am. Maybe because it's peak season? The local snack spots listed were packed too. Ended up eating at a random hole-in-the-wall that had amazing fried tofu, but not thanks to this article. Feels like the author visited during off-season and assumed it's always quiet. 3 stars – decent photos though.
Good list overall, but I felt the 'skip the crowds' tip about Nanhu Lake was overhyped. Still plenty of tour groups there even at 8am. The real gem for me was the tiny canal village of Qiaotou — not even mentioned here. Found it by accident. The water was murky and the bridge was wobbly, but that’s the real deal. Rating 4 because the guide got me started, just not complete.
We loved this guide! Took the advice to visit Xitang on a weekday morning and had almost the whole place to ourselves. No pushy vendors, just locals hanging laundry and old men playing chess by the canal. The morning mist over the water was surreal. Definitely beats the crowded weekend madness. Only wish the restaurant suggestions were a bit more detailed for vegetarian options.