Jiaxing

Travel Guide

Jiaxing showing heritage architecture and street scenes
Jiaxing which includes a park
Jiaxing showing night scenes
Jiaxing
South Lake Memorial Hall

Explore the water towns of this city criss-crossed with canals, stone bridges and cobbled streets. Learn about its links with textiles and the Communist Party of China.

With a name that translates roughly as "auspiciously flourishing", Jiaxing has a lot to live up to. Featuring a trio of ancient water towns, a long tradition in silk and textile manufacture and scenic lakeside ruins, this captivating city doesn’t disappoint.

For centuries Jiaxing has been known as the "heart of the land of fish and rice". The city’s position on China’s Grand Canal, linking it to Beijing and Hangzhou, only bolstered the town’s prosperity. At its peak, Jiaxing was known as the “hometown of silk” and travellers today can still pick up fine blue calicos and silks.

Jiaxing’s most remarkable asset is its trio of ancient water towns, where cobblestone lanes, arched bridges and proud craft traditions provide a window back in time. Wander the winding lanes of Xitang Water Town and watch the sun set across a sea of tiled roofs. At Nanxun Water Town, admire the Mansion of One Hundred Rooms, a long row of centuries-old, white-walled tenements stretching far along either side of a canal.

Wuzhen Water Town is known for its wooden-framed houses, Ming and Qing dynasty bridges and ancient looms which are still in use today. Stop for tea at the Fanglu Teahouse, named after a legendary Tang dynasty poet who devoted his life to all things tea.

Jiaxing is an important site in the birth of the Communist Party of China. It was on a boat on the city’s South Lake that the party’s constitution was issued in 1921. Today the lake is a lovely place to tour by boat. Explore the lake’s banks to see local birdlife, Ming dynasty ruins and the Revolutionary Memorial Hall.

The drive to Jiaxing from Shanghai International Airport can take up to 2 hours. The water towns are easily accessible from Jiaxing by bus or car and are best explored on foot. Consider visiting Jiaxing in spring or autumn when the town hosts a range of festivals, such as the Jiaxing South Yangtze River Culture Festival held from October to November.

Where to stay in Jiaxing

South Lake Memorial Hall showing signage and an administrative building

Nanhu Qu

You'll enjoy the museums and historical sites in Nanhu Qu. You might want to make time for a stop at South Lake or South Lake Memorial Hall.

Nanhu Qu
Default Image

Dong Zha

Dong Zha is well liked for its monuments. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in and around the larger Wuzhen area, you might plan a trip to Wuzhen Scenic Area.

Dong Zha
Jiaxing which includes a river or creek, heritage architecture and a small town or village

Xiuzhou Qu

You'll enjoy the restaurants and shopping in Xiuzhou Qu. You might want to make time for a stop at Jiangnan Mall or Beijing - Hangzhou Canal.

Xiuzhou Qu
Alila Wuzhen, Zhejiang

Alila Wuzhen, Zhejiang

5 out of 5
No. 939, Ziye East Road, Wuzhen Township, Jiaxing, Zhejiang
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €188 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
€188
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Jiaxing. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Wuzhen Scenic Area and Nanxun Town History ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (17 reviews)
Modern and architecturally hotel.
"This is a very unique hotel. Very modern architecture looks with big space around the premises. Rooms are big with patio. The rooms have a very high ceiling. The bathroom are so big. They even upgrade us to a suite. Even better."

Reviewed on 31 Oct 2024

Alila Wuzhen, Zhejiang
Doubletree By Hilton Hotel Jiaxing

Doubletree By Hilton Hotel Jiaxing

4.5 out of 5
688 Ju Xian Road, Xiu Zhou District, Jiaxing, Zhejiang
The price is €53 per night from 13 Aug to 14 Aug
€53
13 Aug - 14 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Jiaxing. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Popular attractions Shijiuyang Wetland and Jiangnan Mall are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (130 reviews)
"The location is quiet. The staffs are very helpful and friendly especially the staffs in the Chinese restaurant!"

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

Doubletree By Hilton Hotel Jiaxing
Xitang Hotel

Xitang Hotel

3 out of 5
No.308 Hong Fu Road, Xitang Town, Jiashan County, Jiaxing, Zhejiang
The price is €20 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
€20
11 Aug - 12 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Jiaxing. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a free area shuttle. Popular attractions Yanyu Gallery and Xitang Ancient Town are located ...
"The reception staffs are nice to allowed us early check-in. The kitchen staffs cooked us eggs and ham 10 mins before the breakfast room closed."

Reviewed on 4 Dec 2019

Xitang Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Somerset IOC Hangzhou

Somerset IOC Hangzhou

4.5 out of 5
No. 2477 Jinji Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Hangzhou. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Popular attractions West Lake and Qianjiang ...
"The employee are so nice"

Reviewed on 20 Jan 2025

Somerset IOC Hangzhou
Oakwood Residence Hangzhou

Oakwood Residence Hangzhou

4.5 out of 5
No 28 Jiaogong Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Hangzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions West Lake and Yellow Dragon ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (298 reviews)
"Personal services, extra efforts by all who work here. Our home base each time when we are in Hangzhou. Exceptional service and perfect location."

Reviewed on 21 Jun 2025

Oakwood Residence Hangzhou
EVEN Hotel Hangzhou Yintai City by IHG

EVEN Hotel Hangzhou Yintai City by IHG

4 out of 5
Block 4, Intime City, 380 Fengtan Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Hangzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
"Great location. A shopping mall right beside it. Was extremely convenient. Loved the hotel."

Reviewed on 25 Nov 2020

EVEN Hotel Hangzhou Yintai City by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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