Top Water Towns in China ⋆ China Life & Buying Guide

Following will be an introduction of the Top Water Towns in China, each of them enjoys superb natural and cultural environment and forms its own character and unique custom. Taking a tour to the water town is to enjoy a vacation that one can free self in peace, to escape from the over-noising city. So come with TopChinaTravel, to start your own experience in the peaceful water towns.

Zhouzhuang Water Town

45km to the southeast of Suzhou, Zhouzhuang is considered to be the “No.1 Water Town” in China. As a typical watery town, it has a history of over 900-year and renowned for its profound Wu Culture, unique architectural tradition and unspoiled folk custom, etc. With lakes on four sides, the beauty of Zhouzhuang is specially to be found along the waterside lanes and around a number of the stone bridges.

It was entitled one of the Famous Historical and Cultural Town of China in 2003. In 2004, it was listed in the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Famous attractions inside the town: Former Residence of Wansan Shen, Fuan Bridge, Shen’s Mansion, Hounded House

Wuzhen Water Town

With a history of over 1,300 years, only 80 km to the northeast of Hangzhou, Wuzhen Water Town is one of the 4 grand Ancient Towns of Yangtze, which still well preserved its late Qing Dynasty style layout and water system – the whole town is built along the rivers, while the river courses crisscrossed in the town. Water and Town, Wuzhen is a particularly elegant blend of nature and culture. Enjoys superb climate and geographical conditions, Wuzhen is also a place where people called “the land of fish and rice”.

Even on a cold, rainy spring day, Wuzhen, a town surrounded by rivers, about 80 minutes south of Shanghai, has a special beauty which has not yet been overrun by tourists.

Famous attractions inside the town: Former Residence of Mao Dun, Old Street of the West Gate, Wenchang Pagoda

Tongli Water Town

With a history of over 1,000 years, Tongli is a typical water town in Jiangsu Province. The city is separated by 15 rivers into seven islets, which are connected through 49 ancient bridges. Tongli, established in the Song Dynasty, has a history of over 1,000 years. Like other water towns, Tongli is built along the water and been separated by river courses into seven islets.

Tongli is reputed for its well-preserved Ming and Qing style architectures, varied shaped old stone bridges and bountiful rivers, while all of which, made it a decent, quiet and picturesque watery town. In 2004, it was listed in the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Famous attractions inside the town: Tuisi Garden, Huancui Resort, Gengletang Garden, Woyun Temple

Xitang Water Town

Rich in historical and natural resources, Xitang Water Town is one of the cradles of Wu and Yue Culture. Lies 85km to the southeast of Suzhou, Xitang is separated by 9 river courses into 8 islets, but 24 time-honored stone bridges connected and reunited all the pieces together.

Peaceful and severs, there are many well-preserved architectural groups constructed during the Ming and Qing dynasties, which boast a higher artistry and study value, thus being highlighted by the experts at home and abroad studying antique buildings.

Famous attractions inside the town: Xiyuan Garden, Wolong Bridge, Temple of Sir Jin, Shipi Lane, Chinese Spirits Museum

Zhujiajiao Water Town

Zhujiajiao is located on the southwest part of Shanghai, endowed with another elegant name – ‘Pearl Stream’ – the little town is the best-preserved among the four ancient towns in Shanghai. With a history of more than 1,700 years as a bustling commercial centre due to its convenient water transport. Meanwhile, its superb natural scenery makes it a famous tourist site since ancient times. “One Hill, One Lake” is the outlay of its beauty.

Stone bridges, bluestone paved paths, old temples, delicate gardens, narrow lanes, etc. are words to outline the features of this town.

Famous attractions inside the town: Dianshan Hill, Dianshan Lake, Fangsheng Bridge, Grand North Street, Baoguo Temple

Luzhi Water Town

Lies 23 km to the north of Suzhou, Luzhi Water Town is a typical ancient watery town renowned for its old folk houses, Arhat Statues of Baosheng Temple and ancient business street, etc. Luzhi also enjoys a reputation of “land of bridges” as it well preserved over 41 varied shaped stone bridges, dating back from Song Dynasty (960-1279) to Qing Dynasty (1636-1911).

Puli was the ancient name of Luzhi Water Town. An old poem ‘Scene of Puli’ is still an accurate description of the scenery in the ancient town Luzhi today. It reads, ‘Long bridge short bridge with willows; Front stream rear stream with lotus; People watching banner over wine store risen; Seagulls escort boat to home of fishman.’

Famous attractions inside the town: Baosheng Temple, Ancient Business Street, Chenghu Lake Unearthed Cultural Relics Museum

Nanxun Water Town

Nanxun Water Town enjoys superb natural environment, and Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou three cities are apart from all about 100 km. With a history of more than 900 years, Nanxun Water Town is rich in historical relics, which bestow this peaceful water town with profound cultural connotation, like time-honored silk industry, delicate gardens and well-preserved folk houses, etc. Nanxun is not only a watery town, but more like a perfect combination with cultural core, business mind and water-like romantic gesture and manner.

Nowadays, Nanxun becomes one of the tourist boom towns. With cultural and regional advantage, it is an ideal destination for leisure, vacationing and sightseeing.

Famous attractions inside the town: Bai Jian Lou Building (A Hundred Buildings), Little Lotus Manor, Former Residence of Zhang Juming

Jinze Water Town

Locates in Qingpu District, Shanghai, Jinze Water Town is a unique water town with a history of over 1,300 years. It renowned for its crisscross waterways, but mostly for its bridges, not on the number but for time-honored bridges with different shapes and varied usage, thus it is entitled the “No.1 Bridge Town” of the southern Yangtze area.

Jinze Water Town is also a famous Buddhist site that owns the grandest Yihao Temple of the area. So differ with other water towns, it is a town with a little more dignity. The best way to experience Jinze is to attend some worship activities and special festival ceremonies.

Famous attractions inside the town: Yihao Temple, Tianhuang Pavilion, Puji Bridge, Yingxiang Bridge, Puqing Bridge

Mudu Water Town

Mudu Water Town , an ancient town with a history of over 2,500 years, is located only 12km to the west of Suzhou, just next to famous Taihu Scenic Site. As one of the most famous ancient town of south Yangtze, Mudu water town enjoy superb geographical environment and rich in rich natural resources.

More than 10 outstanding well-preserved private gardens make this watery town the unique Garden-like town in China. Enjoys superb geographical environment, since some hundreds of years ago, it was the most bustling trading port of west Suzhou. Years gone by, Mudu still kept its manner and features.

Famous attractions inside the town: Yan’s Garden, Hongyin Mountain House, Shantang Street, Lingyan Mountain, Tianping Hill

The above are the most visited water towns/water villages in China. All of them are easily reached from Shanghai, Suzhou or Hangzhou. You may visit one or two of them to witness how the local life in water town looks like, but no more. Almost all the water towns/water villages looks the same. There is no need to visit all of them. Just the one or two that you like most. Tongli and Wuzhen are highly recommended.