Water Town in China

Written by Matteo Updated May. 21, 2025

Some people ask if water towns are all alike. No, they are not all alike -- quite the contrary! When you visit water towns, you will discover that each one has its unique characteristics. They have their history, culture, scrumptious culinary delights, and a landscape representative of an ancient Chinese Calligraphy Painting.

Discover a Cultural Tour

Wuzhen has a long history of over 1,300 years. Rivers divide it into four parts: East, West, South, and North. The East part has rich water town culture and simple local life. You can feel how people live there and watch boat-fighting shows and shadow plays.

wuzhen water town

Wuzhen Water Town Day Tour from Shanghai

  • Ancient Bed and Folk Custom Museum
  • The ancient process of dyeing cloth
  • Former Residence of Mao Tun - a Chinese writer

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wuzhen water town

Wuzhen Water Town Day Tour from Hangzhou

  • Ancient Bridge
  • Shadow Puppet Show
  • Well-preserved waterfront houses

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Savor a Food Tour

For food lovers, each water town has its special food. You can choose where to start your food journey based on your taste. If you like salty and sweet flavors, go to Zhujiajiao to eat zongzi, or go to Nanxun to eat braised pork. If you like light flavors, go to Xitang to eat steamed fish.

zhujiajiao water town

1-Day Zhujiajiao and Seven Treasures Town Tour from Shanghai

  • Zongzi
  • Qibao Gao
  • He Bao Dougan

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xitang water town

Xitang Water Town Tour from Shanghai

  • Enjoy the Boat Ride
  • Taate River food and Local Desserts

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nanxun water town

Nanxun Water Town Day Tour from Shanghai

  • Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant
  • Nanxun Braised Pork

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Explore a Photography Tour

Zhouzhuang has well-preserved Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings and beautiful water town scenery. There are small bridges, flowing rivers, white walls, and black tiles. The stone paths are also charming. Every place is full of classical beauty.

Tongli Ancient Town is famous for its rich history and unique folk customs. There are many old houses, narrow alleys, and bustling markets. These are all great places to take pictures of people and scenery.

zhouzhuang water town

Zhouzhuang Water Town Tour from Shanghai

  • A UNESCO World Heritage site
  • Enjoy a local Kun Opera
  • Zhenfeng Cultural Street

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tongli water town

Suzhou and Tongli Water Town Day Tour from Shanghai

  • Over 2000+ bookings
  • Most famous garden - Lingering Garden
  • Take a rickshaw ride

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tongli water town

Tongli Ancient Town Day Tour from Suzhou

  • World Heritage-listed gem - Tuisi Garden
  • Enjoy a Gondola Ride

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Enjoy a Half-day Tour

If you don't have much time but still want to see a water town, Zhujiajiao is the best choice. It is the closest ancient town to the city center of Shanghai and also the easiest to get to. The most famous thing in Zhujiajiao is the Fangsheng Bridge, which is the longest five-arched bridge in the Yangtze River Delta area.

zhujiajiao water town

Half-Day Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour

  • Visit the Kezhi Garden, the Great Qing Post Office
  • Hotel pick up and drop off by private car

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Experience a Night Tour

During the day, Wuzhen lets you feel the authentic charm of a Jiangnan water town. But at night, Wuzhen shows a completely different flavor. People often say, Sleep in Wuzhen, and you'll dream of the Jiangnan waters. This also shows how beautiful the night in Wuzhen is.

When the lights come on in the evening, the whole Xizha area shines brightly. The old houses, ancient trees, bridge arches, stone pillars by the water, and steps on the riverbanks are all lit up. The different lights mix and make Xizha look like a dream.

wuzhen water town

Essence of Hangzhou and Wuzhen Tour from Shanghai

  • Weat Lake
  • Have a peaceful night in Wuzhen
  • A significant and affluent Buddhist temple - Lingyin Temple

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Most Recommended Water Town Tour

The best water towns to visit are Tongli and Zhouzhuang. Tongli is called the Oriental Little Venice. It has a history of over 1,500 years! The whole town is surrounded by water, with lots of rivers and many bridges. The best things to see there are the Tuisi Garden, Chongben Hall, Jiayin Hall, and the three bridges: Taiping Bridge, Jili Bridge, and Changqing Bridge.

Zhouzhuang is also great. It's known as the Number One Water Town in China. It's famous for its bridges, flowing water, and houses. The Shuangqiao, or Double Bridge, is its most famous sight.

tongli water town

3-Day Essence of Shanghai with Tongli Water Town

  • Day 1: The Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple
  • Day 2: Lingering Garden, Pedicab Tour, Tongli Water Town
  • Day 3: Shanghai Tower, Former French Concession Area

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tongli water town

5-Day Shanghai Highlights with Suzhou Tongli Tour

  • Day 1: Pick-Up
  • Day 2: The Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Tower, Former French Concession
  • Day 3: Tongli Water Town, Embark on a Gondola Ride
  • Day 4: Lingering Garden, Panmen Gate, Rickshaw Ride
  • Day 5: Shanghai Airport Transfer

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zhouzhuang water town

5-Day Shanghai and Suzhou with Zhouzhuang Water Town

  • Day 1: Airport Transfer
  • Day 2: Shanghai Tower, Former French Concession, The Bund, Tianzifang
  • Day 3: Lingering Garden, Rickshaw Ride, Tiger Hill
  • Day 4: Zhouzhuang Water Town, Zhouzhuang Boat Ride
  • Day 5: Airport Transfer

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zhouzhuang water town

4-Day Shanghai and Zhouzhuang Water Village Tour

  • Day 1: Airport Pick Up and Transfer
  • Day 2: The Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Tower, Former French Concession
  • Day 3: Shanghai to Zhouzhuang Water Town
  • Day 4: Shanghai Departure

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Difference Between Each Water Town

The water towns in the Jiangnan area are mostly in the Yangtze River Delta, and each town has its charm. Wuzhen is full of ancient charm, Xitang has small bridges and flowing water, Zhouzhuang is peaceful like a painting, and Tongli has a long-lasting flavor.

Watertown Location Feature Crowded
Zhujiajiao Qingpu District, Shanghai City A charming water town near Shanghai, with busy shops and many ancient bridges. Crowd
Wuzhen  Tongxiang City, Zhejiang Province A mix of art and tech, with white walls and black tiles. Crowded
Zhouzhuang Kunshan City, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province Known as China's No.1 Water Town, famous for its Twin Bridges and beautiful night views. Most crowded
Tongli Wujang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province Old buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, a quiet place to enjoy a slow life. Crowded
Xitang Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province Long covered walkways, beautiful in misty mornings and sunsets. Less Crowded
Nanxun Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province A rich and elegant town with a mix of Chinese and Western styles. Least Crowded

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