10 Most beautiful & best water towns near Shanghai in Jiangnan Region to visit

From Shanghai, Suzhou or Hangzhou, you only need a short trip to visit the picturesque riverside towns. These are outstanding suggestions for you to stroll around and feel the slow pace of life in the Jiangnan region. Now, let’s check out best water towns near Shanghai in this post for your upcoming trip!

When mentioning the Jiangnan region, people often think of riverside towns – where the gentle water flows through each stone bridge, reflecting the rows of ancient houses hundreds of years old. Just a short car ride from Shanghai or Suzhou, you can step into a space imbued with the ancient soul, completely different from the bustling life of modern cities.

In this article, let’s explore the most beautiful riverside towns in China, to make your trip to Shanghai – Suzhou – Hangzhou more complete.

Best water towns near Shanghai: Zhouzhuang – “The No. 1 Water Town in China”

Zhouzhuang is known as “the No. 1 ancient town in China” thanks to its more than 900-year history and its waterscape like a watercolor painting. The winding canals, lined with rows of white houses with black tiled walls reflecting on the water, are connected by more than 14 ancient stone bridges.

China’s No.1 Water Town – Zhouzhuang One Day Tour

In the morning, visitors can take a wooden boat through each bridge, watching people drying silk and selling goods by the river. In the evening, the whole town is lit up with lanterns, creating a romantic and ancient atmosphere.

Zhujiajiao – Shanghai’s Little Venice

Only about an hour’s drive from Shanghai, Zhujiajiao is known as the “Venice of the East”. The town has more than 36 ancient bridges spanning the canals, the most prominent of which is the 70m-long stone Fangsheng Bridge.

One-Day Tour of Zhujiajiao Ancient Town & Shanghai Film Park

Walking on the bluestone streets, you will come across many Ming-Qing period wooden houses, riverside teahouses and small markets selling handicrafts. An interesting experience is to rent a rowing boat along the river, both enjoying the scenery and listening to the rowers singing Jiangnan folk songs.

Wuzhen – Dreamy Ancient Town in Zhejiang

Wuzhen is considered a “dreamy ancient town” with a poetic space, architecture that retains the style of the Qing Dynasty. The town is divided into two areas: the East is peaceful and ancient; the West is more vibrant with cafes, homestays, and riverside restaurants.

Round Trip Day Tour to Wuzhen from Shanghai/Hangzhou

At night, the yellow lights reflect on the calm water, creating a magical landscape. There are also many cultural activities such as traditional drama performances and hand-woven fabrics, very suitable for tourists who want to “live slowly” and immerse themselves in Jiangnan life.

Best water town to visit near Shanghai: Tongli (Tongli Ancient Town) – Tuisi Garden and Ancient Bridges

Tongli is an ancient town over 1,000 years old, famous for its system of 15 canals and nearly 50 stone bridges. The highlight of the town is Tuisi Garden – a UNESCO world heritage site, with the style of a traditional Suzhou garden with a lake, artificial mountains, and delicate bonsai.

Private Guided Day Tour to Tongli Water Town from Shanghai

Walking on small bridges, watching wooden boats drift slowly on the quiet canal, you will see Tongli as a vivid ancient painting. In the afternoon, the golden sunlight covers the curved tiled roofs, making the scene even more poetic.

Xitang (Xitang Ancient Town) – Covered Corridor with a Slow Pace of Life

Xitang impresses with its system of covered corridors over 1,000m long, where visitors can stroll without worrying about the sun or rain. The town has 9 rivers flowing through it, connected by 27 ancient stone bridges, creating a unique river scene.

Xitang Ancient Town Day and Night Tour from Shanghai

During the day, Xitang is peaceful with the sound of rowing boats splashing on the water; at night, the lanterns reflect on the river surface, creating a magical space. The slow pace of life here is especially suitable for those who want to find tranquility in the midst of a vibrant journey to explore China.

Nanxun (Nanxun Ancient Town) – The Interchange of China and Europe in the Heart of Jiangnan

Different from many purely Chinese ancient towns, Nanxun bears a clear mark of the cultural exchange between East and West. During its prosperous times, this place used to be a large silk trading center, leaving behind many villas with European architecture mixed with ancient Jiangnan houses. You can visit Xiaolianzhuang – a peaceful lotus garden with a lake and elegant pavilions.

[Round Trip from Shanghai] 6-Day Group Tour to Nanjing + Wuxi + Suzhou + Hangzhou + Wuzhen

The peaceful scenery, with fewer tourists than other towns, makes Nanxun a “hidden” destination, suitable for those who want to explore a different Jiangnan.

Luzhi – 2,500-Year-Old Town With 41 Ancient Bridges

Luzhi is known as the “stone bridge museum” with more than 41 ancient bridges still existing today. The town is small, peaceful, and has few tourists, so it retains its rare pristine beauty. Along the narrow canals are rows of ancient houses with black tiled roofs and white walls reflecting in the water.

Luzhi Ancient Town & Bacheng Ecological Wetland Park Private Car Day Tour

The interesting thing is that many bridges in Luzhi are hundreds of years old, each one associated with a folk story. Strolling slowly, listening to the sound of oars splashing on the water, you will clearly feel the slow pace of life of an ancient town more than 2,500 years old.

Fengjing – Lotus Town & Homeland of Peasant Paintings

Fengjing stands out with its lush green lotus ponds in the summer, known as the “lotus town” of Jiangnan. This is also the hometown of the Jinshan Peasant Painting genre, with bright, simple and lively colors. The ancient town also retains many ancient pagodas and temples, creating a sacred and quiet atmosphere. Walking in Fengjing, you will see a genuine and rustic Jiangnan, not only with rivers but also with traditional cultural colors.

Fengjing Water Town + Shanghai Jinshan Peasant Painting Village One-Day Tour

Mudu – Ancient Riverside Town Associated with the Legend of Xi Shi

Mudu is associated with many historical stories, especially the legend of the beauty Xi Shi who once traveled here. The ancient town is located at the foot of Linh Nham and Thien Binh mountains, the harmonious landscape between mountains and rivers makes this place like a vivid ink painting. Mudu is also famous for its many ancient private gardens, which were once the haunts of ancient mandarins and literati. Visiting Mudu, you will not only enjoy the scenery but also feel the cultural and historical depth of the Jiangnan region.

Jinxi – Jiangnan Cultural Museum

Jinxi Ancient Town Attractions Combo Ticket

Jinxi is known as the “living cultural museum” of Jiangnan with a system of 16 lakes, 238 small rivers and dozens of ancient bridges. The town is peaceful, not too crowded, and stands out with its cobblestone streets, ancient houses and many small museums specializing in history, ceramics and antiques. The vast river scenery, combined with traditional architecture, makes Jinxi an ideal destination for those who love the quiet and want to learn about the depth of local culture.

How to Get Between Water Towns?

Traveling between Jiangnan ancient towns is quite easy, especially if you depart from Shanghai, Suzhou or Hangzhou.

Shanghai City Sightseeing Bus

From Shanghai

• Tourist buses go directly to famous towns such as Zhujiajiao, Zhouzhuang or Wuzhen.
• High-speed train to Suzhou or Jiaxing, then take a taxi/bus to the ancient town.
• If you do not want to travel by yourself, you can book a day tour to have both a shuttle bus and a tour guide.

From Suzhou/Hangzhou

• Tongli, Luzhi, Mudu towns are only 30-40 minutes away from Suzhou by car.
• From Hangzhou, you can easily reach Wuzhen or Nanxun in about 1-1.5 hours.
• The most convenient way to travel is by taxi or rent a private car if you are traveling in a group.

How to Get Around the Ancient Towns Along the River?

• The typical means of transport is a wooden boat along the river, taking you across ancient bridges, admiring the white-tiled houses on both sides.
• In addition, most ancient towns are compact, suitable for walking and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.

Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling to Ancient Towns Along the River in the Jiangnan Region

Which Ancient Town is the Most Beautiful Near Shanghai?

Zhouzhuang, Zhujiajiao and Wuzhen are three outstanding options thanks to their beautiful scenery and easy access from downtown Shanghai.

When is the best time to visit the Ancient Town?

Spring and autumn are ideal: the weather is pleasant and the scenery is poetic. Winter has fewer visitors and a more peaceful atmosphere, suitable for those who like tranquility.

Should I stay overnight in the Ancient Town?

If you want to fully experience it, you should stay in Wuzhen or Xitang. At night, the lanterns reflect on the water, creating a very romantic atmosphere.

Is there an entrance fee to the Ancient Town?

Some towns such as Wuzhen, Tongli or Zhouzhuang sell entrance tickets (about 80–150 yuan). Small towns such as Zhujiajiao or Luzhi are often free or only charge for some attractions.

What is the most convenient way to get to the Ancient Town from Shanghai?

You can take a tourist bus, a high-speed train combined with a taxi, or book a day tour. If you go in a group, renting a private car will be more proactive.

What to eat when visiting the ancient town?

Notable specialties include sticky rice cakes, Suzhou steamed buns, river fish, Yangcheng Lake crabs, rice wine and traditional pastries.

Should I take a boat trip in the ancient towns?

Yes. Taking a wooden boat along the canal is a typical experience to see the scenery and fully feel the rhythm of Jiangnan river life.

How long should I spend visiting each ancient town?

Normally, it only takes half a day to a day for each ancient town. If you want to experience the evening, you should spend at least 1 night in Wuzhen or Xitang.

Which ancient town has less tourists?

Nanxun, Luzhi and Jinxi are less crowded than Zhouzhuang or Wuzhen, suitable for those who like quiet spaces.

Can You Combine Visiting Many Ancient Towns in One Day?

Absolutely. For example, from Shanghai, you can go to Zhujiajiao in the morning, then visit Zhouzhuang or Tongli in the afternoon. However, visiting 1-2 towns/day is the most reasonable for a hassle-free experience.

If Shanghai overwhelms you with modernity, then the ancient river towns will take you back in time to find peace. Just a short car ride, you can set foot in Zhouzhuang, Wuzhen or Xitang – the pearls of Jiangnan. Don’t miss the opportunity, because sometimes a day walking around the ancient towns is enough to make your trip to China more complete.

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Read more: Shanghai travel blog — The fullest Shanghai travel guide for first-timers.