Jiaxing: A 48-Hour Journey Through Millennia of Water Town Poetry

Nestled between Shanghai and Hangzhou, Jiaxing (嘉兴) is a gem of the Yangtze River Delta, blending ancient water town charm with revolutionary history. Known as the birthplace of the Communist Party of China and home to UNESCO-listed ancient towns like Wuzhen and Xitang, Jiaxing offers a perfect mix of cultural immersion, scenic beauty, and culinary delights—all within a 1.5-hour journey from Shanghai. This guide unlocks its secrets for international travelers!

Jiaxing, a thousand-year-old water town only 80 kilometres southwest of Shanghai, is the birthplace of China's prehistoric civilisation, the Majiabang culture (7,000 years ago), and also the ‘root of Wu and Yue’, where Wu and Yue fought for supremacy. The city has witnessed the golden spears and iron horses of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods, the sails and shadows of the canals of the Tang and Song dynasties, and has become the starting point of the Red Revolution because of the anchoring of the Red Boat on the South Lake at the First Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 1921. When you walk around Jiaxing, every step you take is on the green stone slabs of Dream of Red Mansions and the civilisation fragments of Liangzhu jade.

Visit the Nanhu Lake Red Boat and the Nanhu Lake Revolutionary Memorial Museum.

- Ticket: Free (passport reservation is required)

Foreigners can bring passports to the site or make a reservation through the official website of the Nanhu Revolutionary Memorial Museum. Tickets are required for the Red Boat Cruise, and it is recommended to take the boat from the South Lake Visitor Centre, which costs about 30 RMB.

-Red Boat rides are available at the visitor center. Bring your passport for museum access. Morning visits offer fewer crowds.

One of the six ancient towns in Jiangnan, there are two areas of east and west fence. Enjoy a slow time on a rocking boat with green water. 

- Tickets:

East Scenic Area: RMB 110

West Scenic Area: RMB 150 (including night view)

On-site or official website (support Alipay/WeChat or bank cards)
- It is recommended to stay one night in West Scenic Area, the night view is very beautiful; Tickets can be purchased at the entrance of the scenic area or at the hotel front desk using your passport, no Chinese ID card is required.

Niche water town, suitable for quiet leisure. On weekends, there are few tourists, suitable for in-depth photography, slow travelling. 

- Tickets: Free 

Known for its river port corridor sheds and corridor bridge theatre; famous for its water alley excursions and the mood of lanterns reflecting the water at night.

-Tickets: ¥100 in weekday season, ¥150 in peak season; purchase tickets through the official WeChat public number or third-party platforms, supporting passport verification for admission.

Jiaxing is known as the capital of Zongzi (glutinous rice dumplings). Try the savory ones with pork and salted egg yolk.

-Address: Wu Fang Zhai Main Store (Zhongshan Dong Road, Nanhu District)

Traditional Chinese medicine pastries which are good for strengthening the spleen and nourishing the stomach. 

- Address: Nanhu District Ancient Street Traditional Pastry Shop 

乌镇酱鸭｜桂花酒 You can taste it everywhere in Wuzhen scenic area, suitable for eating while walking.

- High Speed Rail G-Train: Shanghai Hongqiao Station → Jiaxing South Station (about 25-40 minutes) , about 30-50 RMB/one-way Jiaxing 

- Taxi/Internet Taxi: DDT supports English version and can bind international Credit card 

- Bus: cheap, but station names are mostly in Chinese, not recommended for those without translation tools 

- Taxi/Internet Taxi: DDT supports English and international credit cards can be tied.

 - Bus: Fares are cheap, but stops are mostly in Chinese, not recommended for those who don't have a translation tool.

Best Season : Spring and autumn, the weather is pleasant for strolling through the water towns.

"Slow travelling” cities: no need to rush, choose one or two water towns to stroll slowly, with local food and historical and cultural experiences, to feel the warmth and poetry of Jiangnan.

Jiaxing is a combination of historical red gene and Jiangnan water town style, with convenient traffic and rich food, whether it's the red culture infiltration, or the water town quiet humanities, can let you linger in the short 1-2 days trip. Welcome to Jiaxing, explore the centuries-old splendour and modern charm of this ‘land of fish and rice’ and ‘silk’!