4-Day Jiaxing Tour | Classic Combination of Wuzhen and Nanhu・Suitable for All Groups

Jiaxing is a gentle epitome of the water towns in Jiangnan, featuring the small bridges and flowing water of Wuzhen, the original red boat spirit of Nanhu, and the lantern-lit charm of Xitang. Stroll slowly with the elderly on the stone slab roads, accompany children watching ripples from a punt boat; here, every day offers a poetic and historical delicate resonance. 🗓️ Itinerary Overview Day 1: Arrive in Jiaxing → Nanhu Tourist Area → Yuehe Historic District Day 2: Wuzhen East Scenic Zone → Wuzhen West Scenic Zone Day 3: Xitang Ancient Town → Rain Corridor Day 4: Yanguan Tide Watching Scenic Area → Return 🛶 Day 1: Tracing Nanhu · Savoring Yuehe 📍 Nanhu Tourist Area (5A, ticket 60 RMB including boat ride) Highlights: The birthplace of the "Red Boat Spirit," take a boat to the island in the lake, see the Misty Rain Tower and the Red Boat (replica). Elderly can listen to the story of the "First National Congress," children can explore the "Nanhu Revolution Memorial Hall" (free). Willow trees line the shore, perfect for a stroll. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00, recommended 9:00-12:00 💰 Cost: Adults 60 RMB (including boat ticket), free for seniors over 60, free for children under 1.4 meters 📸 Photo Spot: In front of Misty Rain Tower (capture the panoramic view of the island, people standing on the lakeside stone steps) 💡 Tips: Reservation required for the memorial hall; boats depart every 20 minutes, seniors board first. 📍 Yuehe Historic District (free) Highlights: Ming and Qing dynasty canal street with "small bridges, flowing water, and covered corridors" features. Must-try is the old brand "Wufangzhai" (zongzi 5 RMB each). Elderly can enjoy storytelling and ballad singing at "Yuehe Teahouse" (20 RMB/person), children can buy bamboo woven toys (15 RMB each). At night, lanterns light up, making the ancient street even more gentle. 🕙 Recommended Time: 18:00-20:00 🍜 Dining Recommendation: "Jiangnan Grandma’s Bridge" in the district, must order Jiaxing meat zongzi (8 RMB each) and Nanhu water caltrop (10 RMB per serving), about 30 RMB per person, full Jiangnan flavor. 🏨 Accommodation Recommendation: "Jiaxing Nanhu Hotel" by the lake (family rooms available, 10-minute walk to the scenic area), price 350-500 RMB/night, lake view rooms with green scenery outside the window. 🏮 Day 2: Wuzhen Stroll · Night Tour of West Scenic Zone 📍 Wuzhen East Scenic Zone (5A, ticket 110 RMB) Highlights: Authentic water town life, including Mao Dun’s former residence and blue calico workshop. Elderly can watch hand spinning (free experience), children can learn tie-dye at "Hongyuantai Dyeing Workshop" (40 RMB/item). Early morning in East Scenic Zone is quieter, ideal for photographing stone bridges in the morning mist. 🕙 Opening Hours: 7:30-17:30, recommended 8:00-12:00 📸 Photo Spot: Caishen Bay in East Scenic Zone (capture punt boats passing under stone bridges, people standing on the shore) 📍 Wuzhen West Scenic Zone (ticket 150 RMB, combined ticket East + West 200 RMB) Highlights: A must-visit for night tours! Lights reflect on the water alleys, featuring the Mu Xin Art Museum (additional 20 RMB) and open-air movies (free). Elderly can take a punt boat night tour (120 RMB/boat, seats 4), children can buy cotton candy (10 RMB each) at "Water Years Bar Street." Stay overnight in a West Scenic Zone guesthouse (400-600 RMB/night, waterside). 🕙 Recommended Time: 14:00-22:00 💡 Tips: West Scenic Zone is large, shuttle buses available (5 RMB per ride); Mu Xin Art Museum closed on Mondays. 🌙 Day 3: Dreaming in Xitang · Listening to Rain in the Corridor 📍 Xitang Ancient Town (5A, ticket 95 RMB) Highlights: A "living thousand-year-old town," featuring a 1000+ meter Rain Corridor (can stroll even on rainy days), Shipi Alley (narrowest part only 0.8 meters), and Xiyuan Garden. Elderly can watch chess games under the corridor, children can create button art at the "Button Museum" (30 RMB/piece). Early morning in Xitang is perfect for photographing empty stone slab roads. 🕙 Opening Hours: All day, recommended 9:00-17:00 📸 Photo Spot: Middle section of Rain Corridor (capture red lanterns and corridor pillars, people holding oil-paper umbrellas make better photos) 💡 Tips: Guesthouses available inside the ancient town (300-400 RMB/night, breakfast included), experience sleeping by the water; wheelchairs available for elderly (some flat sections in the town). 📍 Rain Corridor (included in ticket) Highlights: Small snack stalls and cultural shops under the corridor. Elderly can enjoy wontons at "Laopinfang" (10 RMB/bowl), children can buy gorgon fruit cakes (25 RMB/box). Watching raindrops drip along the eaves on rainy days is uniquely charming. 🌊 Day 4: Yanguan Tide Watching · End of Trip 📍 Yanguan Tide Watching Scenic Area (4A, ticket 80 RMB) Highlights: The best spot to watch the "World’s Number One Tide," the Qiantang River tidal bore, featuring Tide Watching Park and Sea God Temple. Elderly can sit on viewing chairs at the tide platform (10 RMB/seat), children can watch tide simulations at the "Tide Culture Experience Hall" (free). The biggest tide is on the 18th day of the 8th lunar month, but tides are visible regularly. 🕙 Tide Watching Time: Varies daily (check "Yanguan Tide Watching Schedule" in advance, recommended around 10 AM) 📸 Photo Spot: Under the Zhan’ao Tower in Tide Watching Park (capture the moment the tide surges, standing sideways is safer) 💡 Tips: Stay behind the yellow safety line when watching tides; bring sun hats, it’s windy by the river. 🍜 Dining Recommendation: "Apo Teahouse" in Yanguan Ancient Town, must try Haining braised pork (30 RMB/piece, tender and not greasy) and gorgon fruit soup (8 RMB/bowl), about 40 RMB per person, authentic local flavor. ✨ Jiaxing Survival Guide 1️⃣ Transportation: From downtown to Wuzhen take bus K282 (6 RMB/person, 1 hour), taxi about 80 RMB; to Xitang take tourist shuttle (10 RMB/person, 1 hour); Yanguan is 1 hour from downtown, car hire recommended (round trip 150 RMB). 2️⃣ Clothing: Wear light jackets in spring and autumn (cool mornings and evenings in water towns), short sleeves + sun protection clothing in summer (shade on boats), down jackets + scarves in winter (damp and cold in Jiangnan), bring non-slip shoes (stone roads slippery when wet). 3️⃣ Taboos: Do not step on thresholds in ancient towns; do not stand at the bow on Nanhu boats; follow rules and stay behind safety lines when watching tides. 4️⃣ Accommodation: Stay in Jiaxing city or Wuzhen for the first two days, one night in Xitang recommended, choose guesthouses with hot water kettles, for elderly choose ones near main streets (avoid small alleys). 🛍️ Must-Buy Souvenirs ① Wufangzhai Zongzi (gift box 50 RMB/box, fresh meat and red bean paste flavors, vacuum packed for easy carrying) ② Wuzhen Blue Calico (small scarves 30 RMB each, tablecloths 80 RMB each, intangible cultural heritage handmade) ③ Xitang Gorgon Fruit Cake (25 RMB/box, soft, glutinous, and sweet, loved by elderly and children) ④ Nanhu Water Caltrop (20 RMB/bag, can be eaten directly or cooked into porridge, a water town specialty) The gentleness of Jiaxing is the lanterns of Wuzhen West Scenic Zone reflected in the water, the rain hitting the eaves of Xitang’s corridors, and the original spirit of the red boat in Nanhu engraved in the heart. Whether reminiscing old times with parents in ancient towns, counting waves at the bow with children, or marveling at nature’s wonders with friends while watching tides, here you have every reason to slow down. If you come to Jiaxing, would you rather first see the night view of Wuzhen or seek the red boat at Nanhu?