# Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
Villages
Address:
蘇州市崑山市Y622機場路
It can't be hidden anymore! This secluded ancient village in Suzhou is an excellent place to escape the summer heat
It can't be hidden anymore! This secluded ancient village in Suzhou, an excellent place to escape the summer heat, is the Xiemabridge Village in Kunshan, Suzhou. Located two kilometers south of Shidang in Qiandeng Town, it boasts a slow life that urbanites envy. Black tiles and white walls are imbued with the quietness of time, and this hidden ancient village is so serene that, in my eyes, it is a real-life version of Shangri-La. The history of Xiemabridge Village can be traced back to the Jianzheng period of the Southern Song Dynasty. It is said that the famous Southern Song general Han Shizhong once rested his troops here, finding the area's lush grass perfect for the horses. To facilitate travel across the Shidang River, a bridge was built, which people came to call Xiemabridge. During the hot summer months, Xiemabridge Village is a great place for a cool and relaxing getaway. Just a 1-hour drive from Shanghai, the 'Magic City', it's a place where I can enjoy the slow pace of life in a water town. Walking into the village, what catches the eye are the rows of tiled houses and the homes by the small bridges and flowing water. The elderly chatting leisurely at their doorsteps, the casually strolling cats, the chirping of cicadas and birds, the trees on the riverbanks swaying in the wind... Far from the hustle and bustle, the tranquil ancient village is so endearing. The village has a lazy teahouse, a fresh riverside café, an elegant Hanfu shop, an artistic handicraft store, and a sweet soup shop... In the Xiaoxin Yichi Garden Café, I tasted their limited summer drinks. At the riverside restaurant, I savored the cuisine of the Jiangnan region. Sitting at a riverside seat, I could easily spend half a day... One day is not enough to slowly explore the ancient village. If you want to stay here, the Heyin Weekend·Banshan Poetry Rain Homestay (Kunshan Xiemabridge) is a good choice. Banshan Poetry Rain is built along the river, with 5 rooms, each with a poetic name: Listening to the Wind, Clear After Rain, Cloud Pause, Flower Shade, Reading Moon, all nestled by the water. The rooms are very thoughtfully equipped with smart toilets, air purifiers, and everything else you might need.
On the balcony of the Cloud Pause room, you can see the picturesque scenery of bridges and flowing water typical of the Jiangnan water towns. The Listening to the Wind room has a water-friendly terrace right next to the stone bridge arch, where every snapshot is a masterpiece. Xiemabridge Village, this typical Jiangnan water town village hidden on the border of Suzhou and Shanghai, if you want to experience its tranquil moments, why not stay and wake up to the sound of babbling water, with the poetic charm of the water town all around.
BI. Lin 26
Tea-themed slow life in Xiemaqiao ancient village
Xiemaqiao Town | Buildings with white walls and black tiles are nestled among green trees, showcasing the charm of a water town in the south of the Yangtze River. The town is not big, but it is full of historical charm and natural scenery. Along the way, there are many popular tea houses by the riverbank. When you're tired, have some tea, enjoy the summer breeze, and relax.
aria T__
Accidentally stepping into Kunshan, Suzhou, feels like entering the 'true Jiangnan'
|||Less than an hour's drive from Shanghai, you arrive at Xiemabridge.
The village has several large parking lots🅿️.
This is a small and beautiful ancient town, very suitable for sitting down to drink tea, or to enjoy a cup of coffee, and read a book.
I came here with a book by Yu Hua, and in no time, I read dozens of pages📖. Looking up through the window, the sunshine was splendid, and the greenery was lush🌲, so I put away the book and strolled around the ancient town at leisure.
The shops here are not ostentatious in their decoration style, but each has its own unique characteristics, perfectly blending into this beautiful water town.
This was a very satisfying experience of a short trip around Shanghai.
Penelope.Rogers.64
This small town is a 30-minute drive from Shanghai, quiet and beautiful
🚩 Navigation: Xiemabridge Village, Kunshan City, Suzhou
🚘 Parking: There is a parking lot, free of charge
⏰ Suggested visiting time: Half a day
🎟️ Admission: Free
Xiemabridge is an ancient village located in Kunshan, named after Han Shizhong, a famous general of the Southern Song Dynasty who rested his horses here, and it has a history of a thousand years.
In this ancient village, there is a 500-meter-long ancient stone-paved road, and about 5000 square meters of Ming and Qing dynasty architecture are preserved.
💯 Highlights:
① There is no commercial atmosphere in the village, only a very small number of local residents sell snacks such as zongzi and radish cakes
② There is a special small area in the village for local residents to sell their farm produce, like a small market
③ There are many cafes gathered here, not only Yichi Garden but also Duiyin Bookstore, cuppo bubbo bubble tea, etc., with many options
④ It is very suitable to choose a good spot, order a cup of coffee, and sit for half a day
⑤ There are not many tourists in the village, it is very quiet
‼️ tips
‼️ The village is not big, and it can be toured in half an hour
‼️ It is highly recommended for those nearby to come and visit, have a cup of coffee, and spend a leisurely day
‼️ It is not recommended for those far away to come specifically, but it can be included in a one-day tour of Kunshan
Gather with a few good friends, find a quiet spot by the river, order a cup of coffee, bask in the sun, and chat. Such a slow life is really comfortable. At this time, whether the coffee is expensive or tastes good is no longer important. What matters is this beautiful ancient village, with its clear river water, quiet and beautiful.
DiscoveringDestinations
Xiemabridge Village is quiet and quaint
Xiemabridge Village is quiet and quaint.
This place is close to Qingpu, nestled in a beautiful countryside of Qiandeng Town, Kunshan. Along the small river, the old houses are peaceful and quaint. There are no brand stores, except for a one-foot garden, all the other shops are self-owned small businesses. Although it's small, and you can finish a tour in 1 hour, the mood is very pleasant and relaxed. This little village reminds me of the small villages I visited in England, simple and serene.
Xiemabridge Village
Logan.Morris^47
A perfect spot for a spring day outing with kids: catching a glimpse of a young lady in Hanfu!
Spring weekend is a great time, so I took the kids out in their Hanfu! ☀️
We went to Xiemao Bridge in Qiandeng Town, Kunshan, which is just an hour's drive from Shanghai. It's a newly popular small ancient town, not very big, not crowded, and not overly commercialized yet. You can enjoy a nice walk along the river and experience the charm of an original ancient town.
There are many coffee shops ☕️ and tea houses 🍵 along the river, each with its own unique character. Some have a modern Chinese design style, and they are all very photogenic. It's a great place for young ladies in Hanfu to take photos and check in!
If you get tired, you can find a small tea house, order a pot of tea, and sit for half a day, which is also a nice choice.
Take advantage of the current low crowd levels and free parking, and come for a visit soon!
EVE MCGEE
Weekend | Escape the hustle and bustle
Escape the hustle and bustle. Xiemabridge, located in Qiandeng Town, Kunshan, is just an hour's drive from Shanghai. I first discovered this little village because of a branch of Yichi Garden opening here, thinking of taking the dog baby to check in on the weekend. It was only upon arrival that I realized this small town gave me a different feeling, which I quite liked.
❣️ There are no streets full of stinky tofu or cries of grass head cakes here, what you find is tranquility and comfort. Each shop built along the river is beautifully decorated, with cafes, tea rooms, guesthouses, carpentry workshops, bookstores... all exuding an artistic and literary atmosphere.
❣️ The Yichi Garden store at Xiemabridge is also elegantly set, with the style of an ancient house matching the ambiance of the old town perfectly. Ordering a cup of coffee, admiring the beautiful scenery, and enjoying delicious food, how wonderful is that.
❣️ On the weekend, why not find a mini-town, choose a courtyard, have a cup of coffee, and escape the city's noise?
Xiemabridge Village
Emma Davis
The quaint Xiemaoqiao Village is refreshing and comfortable
After several days of overcast and rainy weather, we finally welcomed a beautiful day. Early in the morning, I arrived at Xiemaoqiao Village in Kunshan, which is a 50-minute drive from Shanghai. The entire ancient village is fresh and tranquil, with few tourists. Walking on the bluestone path by the river, I was surrounded by greenery.
The ancient village is not very large, and it takes about 1 hour to stroll around. For dining, there is Baisheng's home at the entrance of the village, where you can order dishes or have noodles. There are many coffee shops and tea rooms by the river, so there's no need to fret. Compared to Yichi Garden, the riverside coffee shops are more leisurely. For example, at Yincha Bureau, you can order a pot of tea and bask in the sun by the river to while away an afternoon.
sylas_8092
The small village of Xiemabridge in early spring
Xiemabridge Village is located in Kunshan, Jiangsu. According to the 'Songnan Records', the bridge was named 'Xiemabridge' because it was built by calculating the work of the stone drivers and resting the horses. Folklore has it that Han Shizhong, a famous general of the Southern Song Dynasty, once rested his troops here. Due to the abundant water and grass, Han Shizhong's men rested and nourished their war horses here. To facilitate travel between the two sides of the Shipu River, they built a bridge over the river, and the bridge was called Xiemabridge at that time.
BenjaminMacIntyre84
Just 1 hour from Shanghai, there lies a pristine ancient village
I originally thought that such ancient villages were either located in remote areas or were overly developed and commercialized imitation ancient villages, with not much worth seeing. However, this trip gave me an unforgettable surprise...
Unlike other scenic areas that require tickets and checkpoints,
Xiemabridge Village is located right at the edge of Airport Road, with no threshold to cross, open and natural. Its entrance is just a simple archway,
yet this archway seems like a magical portal through time. Passing through it, on one side is the bustling modern world, full of life and excitement; on the other side is the tranquil and serene ancient village, with the crowing of roosters and barking of dogs, where time stands still.
Located in Qiandeng of Kunshan, Xiemabridge Village is small and beautiful, yet quiet. On weekdays, there are hardly any people, and on weekends, there are more, but the number of visitors is nothing compared to popular water towns like Zhouzhuang and Tongli.
Xiemabridge Village is a newly developed attraction, renovated to preserve its old charm, natural and simple. The village houses with their black tiles and grey bricks stand along the river, arranged in a picturesque disorder. With small bridges over flowing water, it exudes the rich charm of the water towns of the south of the Yangtze River.
The businesses that have settled in include Yichi Garden Cafe, Naiye Handicraft Shop, Yishi Hanfu Culture Experience Hall, Banshan Art Coffee Homestay, as well as Duiyin Tea Club and Xiemabridge Old Tea House, among others. There are also the existing hair salons and snack shops. Each shop looks very stylish, making one want to enter.
Address: Xiemabridge Village, Qiandeng Town, Kunshan City
@urel10n_Myst1c
Returning to Xiema Bridge
After more than half a year, I returned to the ancient town of Xiema Bridge. The development of the ancient town has been rapid, and its popularity has also surged, with many more restaurants, coffee bars, and tea houses. The outdoor seating is full of people; I remember last time, only the Yichi Garden and a few coffee shops at the entrance had visitors, but this time it feels much more lively.
Xiema Bridge Ancient Town is located in the southeastern suburbs of Qiandeng Town, Kunshan City, preserving the two natural villages of Xiema Bridge and Yaozhuang. Inside the village, there are farmlands, ponds, and orchards. The village of Xiema Bridge was named after Han Shizhong, a famous general of the Southern Song Dynasty, who stationed his troops here to rest his horses. The village retains ancient Ming and Qing structures such as the Xiema Bridge, stone slab streets, and Zhongshan Bridge, as well as ancient trees like centuries-old boxwoods and osmanthus, and there is also a Han Shizhong Memorial Hall.
Strolling along the river, stopping from time to time to drink tea or coffee, is especially leisurely and enjoyable. Especially in the evening when the lights are on, the lights on both sides of the river add color, as if entering a tranquil and magical world.
I spent a leisurely afternoon sitting by the river, enjoying the spring breeze and fine tea, a truly worthwhile human experience.
Parking is free, with a parking lot right at the entrance.
Admission is free.
Close to the highway, suitable for driving.
Sc@rl3tt G@rc.@
Half an Hour from Shanghai | Discover an Interesting Ancient Village - Xiemabridge in Kunshan
👭Still struggling with where to go for the weekend? 💖Let me take you to unlock the hidden treasure in the west of Shanghai—Xiemabridge in Kunshan!
📍Location: Xiemabridge in Kunshan
✨Highlights:
1️⃣ A mini ancient village, with a tranquil river flowing through, coffee shops and tea houses scattered along both banks, as if you are in an ink painting.
2️⃣ Don't be confined by the traditional ancient town's deep-fried dough sticks, grass head cakes, and stinky tofu. Here, there's an air of literary freshness waiting for you to unlock more artistic charm.
3️⃣ On sunny days, basking in the sun at a riverside cafe and enjoying leisure time is simply one of life's greatest pleasures!
💎Advantages:
🔹 A niche secret spot, no need to worry about crowds during the Spring Festival, easy to take beautiful photos.
🔹 Pet-friendly, many pet owners bring their dogs to enjoy the sun, experiencing warm family time.
🔹 Only half an hour's drive from Shanghai, more convenient than going to Qibao or Zhujiajiao, especially suitable for friends living in the west of Shanghai.
🔹 Abundant cafes, not limited to a single garden, more wonders await your discovery.
🔹 Unique charm, a perfect combination of fashion and ancient rhythm, making you linger and forget to return.
💔Shortcomings:
😅 Although the village is small and exquisite, it can be walked through in just over half an hour, suitable for a brief stay to savor the beauty.
🚗Surrounding Tours:
If you feel unsatisfied, consider visiting the nearby Qiandeng Ancient Town and Jinxi, especially Jinxi, which is definitely worth a visit.
🌸Now is the time when peach blossoms are in full bloom. Imagine discussing under the peach trees, how comfortable and extraordinary that would be. What are you waiting for? Come to Xiemabridge and start your artistic journey!
NOEL SANTOS
Jiangnan Ancient Town Daily | Afternoon Time in the Hillside Bookstore
Strolling around Xiemabridge, coming out of the old teahouse, I encountered this hillside bookstore. The proprietor looked very much like a senior sister from my university days, with a radiant smile that felt incredibly warm, so I took a seat, choosing a spot by the river.
Aged tangerine peel with white tea, simple pastries, and a book I've wanted to read but haven't settled down to - 'Mr. Toad Goes to See a Psychologist.' Chatting with the 'senior sister,' I learned that this place is the Suzhou venue for the Yang Lan Book Club. When it comes to reading, I feel like I've lost a lot of my voice; in the past six months, it seems I haven't read any books that have given me special insights.
Alone, I sat with the spring light for a long time, watching people come and go across the river, thinking to myself, I hope this spring won't be spent in vain. And then I thought, isn't spring meant to be spent idly?
Aron Leuschke
Shanghai Suburban Tours | Xiemabridge - A quaint village brimming with artistic charm
Xiemabridge, located about two kilometers south of Shipu in Qiandeng town, Kunshan city, was a village that became a market due to inconvenient transportation in ancient times, and was historically known as Xiemabridge Town. Although small, Xiemabridge Town is somewhat famous in the surrounding area.
Xiemabridge ancient town does not have the stinky tofu or large rice dumplings typical of traditional ancient towns, nor does it have the bustling atmosphere. A small river runs through the middle of the village, with one-foot gardens on both sides of the riverbank, riverside cafes, and various artistic and fresh coffee shops. There is no bustling crowd, just some people with their pets, basking in the sun, savoring coffee on a beautiful afternoon~ Spending an afternoon in this ancient village is also very relaxing. Xiemabridge Village
nigella.the.shigella
Xiemabridge｜A lesser-known secret place accessible by subway around Shanghai
I guess many people have never heard of the name Xiemabridge, this village belongs to Qiandeng Town, Kunshan, although the main road is only 500 meters long, it is the most utopian secret village around Shanghai.
——
🚣Old buildings turned into trendy art
Xiemabridge itself has a long history, it was a place where Han Shizhong, a famous general of the Southern Song Dynasty, passed by with his troops to recuperate his horses, and later they built a bridge on the river.
✨So many houses in the village are mottled, full of the sense of time, the small bridge and flowing water are filled with the charm of the whole Jiangnan.
✨But what's different from other ancient towns is
⚠️There are no sausages, big squids, no messy billboards and hawking, it feels like the business is centered on art and literature
1⃣️There are many coffee shops and teahouses
Each one is so beautiful! Built by the river, whether it's the exterior or the interior, there are Japanese-style with floor-to-ceiling glass, and also classical wooden windows with awning boats.
A foot garden also chose to open a shop here～
2⃣️Pottery, woodworking and other experiences
There are not many tourists, but there are many children who come to experience pottery, as well as woodworking, guqin, bookstores and so on...
3⃣️All kinds of homestays
At first, I accidentally entered a homestay when taking pictures, and then I observed carefully and found that there are hidden homestays everywhere, and the styles are all different, not the uniform rural tourism or the common white Mediterranean
——
Play time:
Pure photography is enough for 1 hour
But it is strongly recommended to sit down in a few shops and daze, there are camping, bonfire and so on here, giving people a sense of the atmosphere of Lijiang and Dali, you know what I'm talking about😅
Transportation:
🚇Subway Line 17 transfer to Kunshan 136/C11, about 2 hours
🚗Self-driving about 45 minutes, there is a parking lot
BenjaminThompson.28
In Suzhou, 99% of people don't know about this hidden ancient town
Xiemabridge, I really love this ancient village,
It is an original Jiangnan water town ancient village located between Shanghai and Suzhou with a hundred years of historical culture and beautiful scenery. It has not been overdeveloped,
But at the same time, many arts, food, and homestays have settled in...
Allowing friends living in the city to have a place to slow down.
Xiemabridge ancient town reveals a literary and fresh atmosphere everywhere, the teahouses and cafes by the river,
The white walls, black tiles, and flowing water add a bit of refinement and beauty to the town.
There are few tourists, even on weekends, it won't be crowded, surprisingly quiet,
If you are a literary enthusiast,
If you are tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, if you want to find a place to let your thoughts fly, Xiemabridge is definitely an excellent choice.
Internet celebrity check-in point★【One Foot Garden]
You always believe in the location of One Foot Garden, the environment design atmosphere service is great! This kind of Jiangnan sentiment is hard to not love!
You can enjoy the wind when the weather is good■【Half Mountain Bookstore]【Half Mountain·Poetry Rain】Beautiful accommodation, also the only one here!
;【Riverside Coffee] American retro decoration,
If you don't want to walk, sitting by the window and drinking something is also a good choice!
Transportation
Suitable for self-driving, about 1 hour drive from Shanghai,
If you come from Jiading or Qingpu, it probably only takes half an hour. There is a free open-air parking lot next to the ancient town P
Admission: Free Accommodation:
Personally, I feel there is no need to stay overnight, because the town is not large, it can be visited in about 1 hour,
If you want to see the night view, it is recommended to stay in Qiandeng Ancient Town about eight or nine kilometers away from Xiemabridge.
travel destination recordinspiration daily ancient towntravelto go for the Spring FestivalZhejiang and Shanghai offbeat surrounding tours
JUSTICE MOORE
I was amazed by this secluded ancient village around Shanghai | Xiemabridge Village
Having traveled through all the major ancient towns and water villages in the south of the Yangtze River, I was amazed by this water village with no fame at all.
Xiemabridge Village, located in Qian Deng, Kunshan, is small, beautiful, and quiet. On weekdays, there are hardly any people to be seen. There are more people on weekends, but compared to the popular ancient towns and water villages like Zhouzhuang and Tongli, the flow of people is simply negligible.
Xiemabridge Village is a newly developed attraction, with old buildings restored to their original state, naturally and simply. The village houses with green bricks and black tiles stand along the river, scattered and orderly. Small bridges and flowing water, exuding a strong flavor of the water villages in the south of the Yangtze River.
The businesses that have already settled in include a foot garden cafe, a handmade shop, a Hanfu culture experience hall, a half-mountain art coffee homestay, as well as a tea bureau and Xiemabridge old tea house, etc., and there are also existing barber shops and snack shops. Each shop looks very stylish, making people want to enter.
Address: Xiemabridge Village, Qian Deng Town, Kunshan City
The town is not big, with houses lined up along the river for about 200 meters from south to north. It is small and exquisite, and a two-hour walk and photo shoot is enough.
Dyl@n Br0wn
Xiemabridge Village | The most beautiful water town village in Kunshan
🏠Xiemabridge Village, a small and free tourist spot around Shanghai and Suzhou, is located in Shipu, Qiandeng Ancient Town, Kunshan City, and is a water town village with a deep historical and cultural heritage.
📚Recorded in 'Songnan Zhi Ancient Town Volume': The town is in the southeast corner of the city, bordering Qingpu County, with a bridge over Shipu.
🐎Han Shizhong, a famous general of the Southern Song Dynasty, once rested his horses here. The water and grass are abundant. To facilitate the traffic between the two banks of the Shipu River, a bridge was built and named Xiemabridge.
😍Xiemabridge Village is another masterpiece of Kunshan's integration of agriculture, culture and tourism. Although it has been explored and checked in by travelers in a small range of Suzhou and Shanghai, it does not affect its lively tranquility.
☕️There are coffee shops, bookstores, homestays, pottery experiences, restaurants in the village. The literary atmosphere and the young people are the two main features. There is not too much commercial atmosphere, but it satisfies the leisure and sightseeing of the visitors.
🏠Xiemabridge Village is not large, with water streets dependent on each other, narrow alleys and deep lanes, small bridges and flowing water, and some of the original residents still live in the village, which is just right for the fireworks.
👍Most recommended:
One Foot Garden Coffee Shop
❤Reason for recommendation:
The coffee shop is uniquely designed; the coffee is special
📍Detailed address:
Xiemabridge Village, Qiandeng Town, Kunshan City
🅿️Free parking
🎫Free admission