Top China Water Town near Shanghai, Suzhou & Hangzhou

1. Zhouzhuang Water Town - No. 1 Water Town in China

Zhouzhuang Water Town is reputed as one of the "ten most beautiful towns in the world” with appealing sightseeing and authentic local flavor. It has a history of over 930 years. In 1086, it was changed to Zhouzhuang from “Zhenfengli”. In the Yuan Dynasty, the legendary Jiangnan rich man called Shenyou, the uncle of Shen Wansan, moved here, which brought Zhouhuang a prosperous trade town.

Visiting Zhouzhuang, you can easily see it is circled by water and all the houses are built along the four main rivers with eight long streets stretching through the town. Moreover, you can see 14 ancient particular stone bridges built in Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, multiple courtyards linking together on the winding water, more than 800 residents living by the river, etc. which is exactly the look of serene historic water town in east China. Besides the scenery, the special folk culture in Zhouzhuang will tell you about the real gem of culture in Wu area and the soul of this charming place.

2. Zhujiajiao Ancient Town – Venice of Shanghai

Zhujiajiao Ancient Town has long history with 1700 years which is still bright and flourishing. Someone regards Zhujiajiao Ancient Town as Venice of Shanghai and someone thinks it is a dazzling pearl situated along Dianshan Lake.

Zhujiajiao is crisscrossed by rivers and canals, with 9 long streets running along the rivers and hundreds of buildings of Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture flanking both sides. What makes Zhujiajiao more charming is its historical sites, including 36 old bridges, Kezhi Garden, former residences and ancient halls, etc. The antiquity of the bridges, the rareness of the streets and the seclusion of the alleyways all present you a scene of “boats sailing on the water and people touring in painting”.

3. Wuzhen Water Town – Dream-like Water Town in Zhejiang

Wuzhen is a beautiful water town located at the center of the golden triangle consisting of Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou. With a history of 1300 years, Wuzhen fully preserves the water town’s style and pattern in the late Qing Dynasty and the Republican period. Wuzhen shows the harmonious living between humans and nature. Wuzhen, known as the Disneyland of water towns, is also the water town with the most complete infrastructure construction.

The ancient Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal flows through the town which is divided by waterways in four sections – Dongzha, Xizha, Nanzha and Beizha. The most visited parts are Dongzha (East Scenic Zone) and Xizha (West Scenic Zone). To explore East Scenic Zone is to enjoy all kinds of traditional folk customs while the West Scenic Zone is less crowded, more tranquil, more specious and more beautifully decorated with some historical sites, manual workshop, exhibition halls and museums to explore.

4. Tongli – Poetic Water Town with World Cultural Heritage Site

Tongli, formed in Song Dynasty with a history of over 1000 years, is a wonderful example of a vibrant and functioning water town. It is the National AAAAA Tourist Attraction surrounded by water and linked by old stone bridges from Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.

The most highlighted spots should be “one garden, two halls and three bridges”. One garden refers to “Retreat & Reflection Garden” (Tuisi Garden) which is a classical garden listed as World Cultural Heritage Site. Two halls refer to Jiayin Hall and Congben Hall and three bridges are Taiping Bridge, Changqing Bridge and Jili Bridge. Tongli is a perfect place to savor the authentic flavor of old water town in China and the real leisure life of this poetic Jiangnan region.

5. Xitang – A Living and Less-crowded Ancient Town near Hangzhou

Xitang Water Town is conveniently located in the golden triangle of Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou. Xitang has a history about 1300 years. In Tang Dynasty, the local residents in Xitang built houses along the rivers and lived by the water. In the Southern Song Dynasty, it developed into large scale and the business here flourished. In Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was the important center for handicraft and commerce.

Xitang owns all the typical features of water towns but it gives you a totally different feeling when enter into this tranquil ancient town. What attracts visitors most is the easygoing lifestyle that local residents have followed for thousands of years. Unlike the ancient towns of Zhouzhuang and Wuzhen, Xitang is not a bustling village that people in the town live ordinary and peaceful lives. Xitang is crisscrossed by nine rivers, linking by 104 old bridges, 122 old lanes and many ceilinged corridors. The most enjoyable time to wander leisurely in Xitang is in the early morning and late afternoon.

6. Nanxun – A Pristine and Halcyon Water Town in Huzhou

Nanxun Water Town, with a history of more than 760 years, is listed as National AAAAA Tourist Attraction. In 1252, it was named “Nanxun” instead of Xunxi. In Ming and Qing Dynasties, it well flourished and became important trade center for the rising and development of silk breeding and silk reeling.

Nanxun is the cross-shaped water town with blending of water, streets, houses, bridges. The architectures is a combination of Chinese architectural elements and the 18-century European style. All the buildings makes Nanxun a magnificent and graceful water town. What makes Nanxun more attractive is the traditional Chinese wedding on the water.

7. Luzhi – Ancient Town with 2500 Years’ History

Luzhi Water Town is as old as Suzhou Ancient Town, with more than 2500 years history. In Tang Dynasty, the shape of Luzhi was like “甪” and hence it used this word for this antique town. Luzhi Water Town is close to Wusong River in the north and embraced Cheng River in the south. The rivers altogether are at 5.6 kilometers with 41 well persevered old bridges from Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Besides the old bridges, there are nine main old streets and 58 old alleys. Luzhi has kept Ming and Qing dynasty architectures which makes it a primitive town with many historical sites.

8. Fengjing – Beautiful Hibiscus Town

With a history of 1500 years, Fengjing Ancient Town was situated at the border of Wu and Yue state in history and hence it is praised as famous town of Wu and Yue culture. This water town is elegant with clear streams flowing through, lotus fully blossom in summer. Hence, Fengjing has got “Hibiscus Town”, “Rivers Flowing in Breeze”. A visit to Fengjing, you can feel that it is a town with bridges in a few steps that among the 52 preserved bridges, the oldest one is the 700-year-old Zhihe Bridge.

Fengjing is an ancient town with many celebrities and flourishing culture. It is the birthplace of Jinshan peasants’ paintings with strong local flavor. There are many ancestral houses of famous painters. You won’t miss the famous cartoonist Ding Cong’s Exhibition Hall to display more than 100 cartoons. It is blending with other exotic culture that you can find Taoism, Buddhism, Catholic and Christian sites.

9. Mudu – First Water Town in Wu Region

Mudu Water Town, with a history of 2500 years, is as old as ancient Suzhou city. The name for “Mudu” has a legendary stories with Xishi, one of the four ancient beauties in history. It said that the king of Wu State named Fuchai tried to please Xishi, so he began to build palace on Lingyan Mountain with lots of timbers transporting through the rivers which blocked the canals. The name “Mudu” came into being since then. In Qing Dynasty, the emperor Kangxi traveled three times and Qianlong traveled six times to Mudu for its intoxicating natural beauty.

Actually, Mudu looks like classical gardens more than water town. It features over 30 private gardens with fine layouts, exquisite designs and beautiful architectures. Traveling to Mudu, you’ll walk into a Chinese painting telling old stories in history.

10. Jinxi – Museum of Jiangnan Area

Jinxi Water Town is just like a sleeping young lady with simple beauty. It is also a museum to explore ancient culture which can be date back to the Neolithic Age. In Spring and Autumn Period, it had all kinds of hand workshops and the kiln and clay making was famous at that time. Jinxi is the typical Jiangnan water town with a fertile land of fish and rice. It is lying Dianshan Lake in the east, Cheng Lake in the west, Wubao Lake in the south and Bailian Lake in the north. The whole town has 16 lakes and 238 waterways.

Traveling to the tranquil Jinxi, you can explore the Ding’s House, the first tile museum in China, as well as Lotus Buddhist Temple, Shiyan Bridge…