Jiaxing

Travel Guide
Jiaxing showing street scenes and heritage architecture
Jiaxing showing 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 which includes 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
Jiaxing showing a small town or village, a river or creek and heritage architecture

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
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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
Alila Wuzhen, Zhejiang
Alila Wuzhen, Zhejiang
5 out of 5
No. 939, Ziye East Road, Wuzhen Township, Jiaxing, Zhejiang
The price is RM858 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
RM858
RM1,001 total
includes taxes & fees
24 Nov - 25 Nov
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (13 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 RM259 per night from 22 Nov to 23 Nov
RM259
RM302 total
includes taxes & fees
22 Nov - 23 Nov
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! (126 reviews)
"Overall it’s a good hotel. Need more options for food."

Reviewed on 8 Nov 2024

Doubletree By Hilton Hotel Jiaxing
Crowne Plaza Wuzhen, an IHG Hotel
Crowne Plaza Wuzhen, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
NO1 QINGZHEN ROAD WUZHEN TOWN, TONGXIANG CITY, Jiaxing
The price is RM329 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
RM329
RM383 total
includes taxes & fees
24 Nov - 25 Nov
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Jiaxing. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Wuzhen Scenic Area and Hongshancun ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (12 reviews)
"We have a great stay at Crown Plaza hotel."

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2024

Crowne Plaza Wuzhen, an IHG 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.
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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (290 reviews)
"Staying at Oakwood Residence Hangzhou served our objective well. We were looking for a hotel that provides washer as we were traveling light. The area is pretty centralised, walkable to the famous West Lake, also have restaurants and convenient stores."

Reviewed on 14 Nov 2024

Oakwood Residence Hangzhou
Hangzhou Yilin Apartment Hotel
Hangzhou Yilin Apartment Hotel
3 out of 5
Room 1212, Building A, East King Plaza, No. 1 Yuewang Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Hangzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions West Lake and Si Cheng Church are located ...
7.4/10 Good! (3 reviews)
"Walking distance to the West Lake, and close to subway, and a busy shopping area."

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2024

Hangzhou Yilin Apartment Hotel
East King Business Hotel Hangzhou
East King Business Hotel Hangzhou
3 out of 5
No.1 Yuewang Road, Hangzhou, Hangzhou
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Hangzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Popular attractions West Lake and No.2 Park are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (21 reviews)
"The hotel building is quite old. The room is so roomy and clean. But much smoking smell."

Reviewed on 24 Oct 2021

East King Business Hotel Hangzhou
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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