Top 10 Most Beautiful Water Towns Near Shanghai

Written by Vanessa Zheng Updated Oct. 31, 2023

Planning a day trip from Shanghai? Why not take a water town trip?

Water towns are ancient and historic towns in China known for their bridges, rivers, and canals. They are generally concentrated in Shanghai, each offering a unique experience.

This article gives you the TOP 10 water towns to select according to your needs, like schedule, travel convenience, and scenic highlights.

1. Tongli: Venice of the East

Tongli Water Town
Tongli Water Town

Built in the Song Dynasty (960–1279), Tongli Water Town is one of the six famous ancient towns south of the Yangtze River. 

The dense canals divide the town into seven parts, it has been given the nickname "Venice of the East". Most of the buildings in Tongli are situated along the canals, which keep a series of ancient structures from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.

A mix of traders and locals are still living and working there. Less commercialized and crowded than some other famous water towns, it can be seen as the best water town close to Shanghai.

Suzhou Garden
  • 1-Day
  • Lingering Garden
  • Rickshaw Ride
  • Tongli Water Town
  • Cruise Experience
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2. Zhujiajiao: an Ancient Town in Modern Shanghai

Zhujiajiao Water Town
Zhujiajiao Water Town

With a history of 1,700 years, Zhujiajiao Water Town is an ancient town located in the Qingpu District of Shanghai. It has good access to Shanghai downtown by metro, bus, and taxi. So it's a popular family destination for the weekend. 

Zhujiajiao is one of the best-preserved water towns in Shanghai. It has unique old bridges and small rivers, along with restaurants, bars, and coffee shops lining both sides of the streets.

In this town, you can stroll to see the ancient houses, sample some local foods, have a gondola ride on the canal, or relax in a bar.

Zhujiajiao Water Town
  • 1-Day
  • Zhujiajiao Water Town
  • Qibao Old Town
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3. Wuzhen: Cultural and Elegant

wuzhen
Wuzhen Ancient Town

Wuzhen Water Town is a charming and elegant ancient town, as well as one of the six famous water towns in the Yangtze River Delta. It is divided into two parts by a river: the East Area and the West Area.

Dongzha has been largely preserved in its original layout. At the same time, Xizha has been reconstructed to offer a comprehensive sightseeing and leisure experience within a traditional 'water town' scenic spot.

You can spot charming stone bridges everywhere, looming above the rivers. The black-bricked and gray-tiled houses present a striking contrast against the white walls, rendering Wuzhen as an exquisite Chinese ink-wash painting.

Wuzhen
  • 1-Day
  • Ancient Bed Museum
  • Folk Custom Museum
  • Wood Carving Museum
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4. Zhouzhuang: Most Popular Water Town

Located on the outskirts of Suzhou, Zhouzhuang Water Town is the most popular and busiest water town in China. It is famous for its well-preserved ancient residential houses and elegant watery views.  

Famous tourist attractions include the Shen House and Zhang House. And don't miss out on a boat trip around the town.

Zhouzhuang Town
  • 1-Day
  • Zhouzhuang Water Town
  • Zhouzhuang Museum
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5. Nanxun: Well-Preserved Ancient Architecture

nanxun ancient town
Nanxun Ancient Town

Nanxun Water Town is a charming ancient town featuring a bunch of canals, bridges, and well-preserved ancient buildings. Unlike other ancient towns in the area, the buildings here combine traditional Chinese and Western elements.

Nanxun Ancient Town is not as well-known as the other water towns like Zhouzhuang and Wuzhen. It is the most original and the least commercial water town near Shanghai. You will not see enormous crowds of travelers here.

Recommended Tour: Nanxun Water Town Trip from Shanghai

6. Xitang: Mission: Impossible III Filmed Here

xitang water town
Xitang Ancient Town

Xitang Water Town is a beautiful ancient town in Jiashan County of Zhejiang Province. Its history dates back to the Spring and Autumn period (770 BC - 476 BC), 2000 years ago. The scenery here is just like a painting, and the photos you take will all be like paintings, no matter which way your camera points.

Xitang Water Town is divided into eight sections by nine rivers, linked by old-fashioned stone bridges. In this ancient town, there are well-preserved old buildings, cobbled streets, and exquisite stone bridges.

The covered waterside walkways are probably the most well-known scene in this town, which is also the most distinctive feature compared with other water towns. 

Recommended Tour: 1-Day Xitang Water Town Tour from Shanghai

7. Luzhi: Beautiful and Quiet Town

Luzhi Water Town is a well-preserved and beautiful ancient town that has a history of more than 2,000 years. It is a small but lively town full of a cultural atmosphere. Walk along the streets, you can enjoy the natural beauty of the town and capture rural life by the riverside.

Luzhi Ancient Town also features numerous quaint stone bridges, which were built in the Song (960-1279), Yuan (1271-1368), Ming (1368-1644), and Qing (1636-1912) dynasties. There were once more than 70 bridges in this town, 41 of which are well preserved. So Luzhi is known as the “Museum of Chinese Bridges”.

8. Mudu: Birthplace of Wuyue Cultural

Mudu Ancient Town is an ancient cultural water town quite similar to any water town in Suzhou. It is also the birthplace of Wuyue culture, which is a distinctive regional culture and an organic part of Chinese culture. The main attractions in this town include the Qianlong Emperor's Travel Palace, "Hong Yin Resort", Yan's Garden, and Mudu Imperial Dock.

9. Fengjing: an Ancient Town Near Shanghai

fengjing ancient
Fengjing Water Town

Located in the southwest of Shanghai, Fengjing Ancient Town is a typical water town dating back to the time of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). It is one of the eight new views of Shanghai.

In the town, you will see many historic buildings of the Ming and Qing styles and numerous ancient stone bridges. This town is also famous for Jinshan Peasants' Painting, which has a great influence at home and abroad due to its unique art style.

10. Jinxi: Nice and Quiet

Jinxi Water Town is located southwest of Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province. It is a lovely ancient town away from the tourist crowds and a nice place to walk around and sink into the old times of China. 

With a history of more than 1,000 years, Jinxi Water Town features a lot of historical sites and traditional buildings that were built in the Ming (1836-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties. Jinxi is also known as the "Hometown of Chinese Folk Museum". There are 14 museums where you can feast your eyes on collections from ancient times. 

How to Decide Which One to Visit?

Each water town has more than 5 historical sites worth visiting. Not all are included in the tour prices; you would need to pay an extra entrance fee for some. Though some water towns, such as Zhujiajiao, are admission-free, it costs extra for the sites in the town.

Water Town Feature Visit Time Ticket
Tongli Well-preserved, lots to see 4 hours CNY100
Nanxun The most affluent town in the past featured Chinese and Western architecture. 4 hours CNY85
Zhujiajiao Foodies' paradise, near Shanghai 3 hours CNY80
Wuzhen Large, having good accommodation and a beautiful night view 1 or 2 days CNY190
Xitang Mission Impossible III was filmed here 4 hours CNY95
Luzhi The wide array of museums and temples 4 hours CNY78
Zhouzhuang Local wealthy and influential families, very crowded 1 or 2 days CNY50
Mudu A collection of private gardens 4 hours Free
Jinxi Many folk-art museums 4 hours CNY65
Fengjing old bridges, well-preserved wooden houses, and an open-air stage 4 hours Free
Jinze Southern Culture of China 3 hours Free
Qibao A little old street with not much to see 1 hour Free

Travel from Shanghai with Us

No subway or high-speed train goes directly to the water towns. Feel free to contact us to book a private tour, including a vehicle and an English-speaking guide, for easy access and in-depth understanding.

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