Huzhou

In autumn, Huzhou has a noticeable temperature difference between morning and evening. Bring a light jacket for activities by the lake.

Downtown Culture and Artsy Old Streets

• Yishang Street: Huzhou’s historic food street, home to many century-old shops. It is ideal for sampling local flavors while strolling and experiencing everyday city life.

• Xiaoxi Street: This neighborhood retains buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, with creative shops and cafés throughout. It is ideal for walking and photography.

• Zhuangyuan Street: A quiet old street in the city center that still preserves the layout of traditional Jiangnan lanes. Take your time exploring.

• Iron Buddha Temple: A thousand-year-old temple in the middle of the busy city. Admission is free. Inside are a Northern Song iron Guanyin statue and an ancient ginkgo tree, making it a peaceful place for a short rest.

Jiangnan Water Towns

• Nanxun Ancient Town: One of the six major ancient towns of Jiangnan, with architecture that combines traditional Jiangnan and Western features. The main street is free to enter. Visit Baijianlou early in the morning to see its quiet waterside lanes.

• Xiaolianzhuang: The private garden of the Liu family in Nanxun. Lotus ponds and garden buildings complement each other, showcasing the style of Jiangnan gardens.

• Former Residence of Zhang Shiming: Known as the “Finest Residence in Jiangnan,” this compound blends Chinese and Western architectural elements and features intricate wood and stone carvings.

Taihu Scenery and Family Attractions

• Taihu Fisherman’s Wharf: A lakeside leisure area where you can enjoy the breeze, drink coffee, and watch the sunset in the evening, with wide lake views all around.

• Taihu Moon Bay: From here you can admire the landmark Moon Hotel from a distance. There is a light show at night, making it a good place to enjoy Taihu’s nighttime scenery.

• Taihu Dragon Dream: The resort includes a wildlife park, ocean world, and international circus. At night there are also water dance shows and fireworks, making it suitable for family trips.

Mountain Air and Getaways

• Moganshan: Famous for its summer escape and vast bamboo forests. It is ideal for a mountain stay and nature sightseeing. Take the official shuttle bus up the mountain.

• Yucun Cultural Market: Located around the entrance to Moganshan, this Republican-era-style street has cafés and an old railway station, making it perfect for a relaxed visit.

A No-Backtracking 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1 Downtown Sights + Taihu Sunset: Arrive at Huzhou Station in the morning and check in near Yishang Street. Have lunch on Yishang Street, then visit Xiaoxi Street and Zhuangyuan Street in sequence in the afternoon. In the evening, take a car to Taihu Fisherman’s Wharf for sunset, then head to Moon Bay to watch the Moon Hotel’s light show.
• Day 2 In-Depth Nanxun Ancient Town Tour: Go to Nanxun Ancient Town in the morning; the ride from downtown takes about 40 minutes. Baijianlou is relatively quiet early in the morning. Then visit Xiaolianzhuang, the Former Residence of Zhang Shiming, and Jiayetang Library. Have double-topping noodles and Nanxun pig’s trotter for lunch, and enjoy the town’s lanterns in the evening. Stay in the ancient town that night or return to downtown.

• Day 3 A Relaxed Day or Choose One:
  • Culture route: First visit Feiying Park to see the “pagoda within a pagoda,” then visit Iron Buddha Temple, and finally go to Huzhou Museum to learn about Huzhou’s brush-making culture.
  • Mountain route: Visit Yucun Cultural Market in Moganshan for coffee and Republican-era scenery, then return in the afternoon.

Huzhou’s Local Specialties

• Ding Lianfang Qianzhang Bao: A local snack with more than a century of history. Thin sheets of dried tofu wrap a filling of fresh bamboo shoots and meat, served with rice-noodle soup for a fresh, lightly sweet flavor.

• Zhoushengji Braised Chicken Feet: Braised until soft and chewy, with a savory-sweet flavor. They are also a common local gift.

• Zhu Laoda Pillow-Shaped Zongzi: A time-honored Chinese brand. These rice dumplings have a long, pillow-like shape. The pork version is rich and glossy with a soy aroma, while the red-bean-paste version is smooth and delicately sweet.

• Nanxun Double-Topping Noodles: Noodles served with both crispy pork and fried fish. The noodles are springy and the broth is flavorful.

• Nanxun Pig’s Trotter: Cooked in a rich soy-based sauce, with tender, soft skin and meat that is rich without being greasy and easily comes off the bone.

• Braised Eel Shreds: A common Huzhou freshwater dish. The eel is smooth and tender, with a rich sauce that pairs well with rice.

• Taihu’s Three Whites: Whitefish, silverfish, and white shrimp, usually steamed or blanched to highlight the natural flavor of the lake delicacies.

• Dingsheng Cake: A traditional rice cake that is soft and fluffy, with a mild rice aroma and moderate sweetness, symbolizing success and good fortune.

Accommodation and Transport Tips

• Where to stay:
  • Convenient for food and sightseeing: Stay near Yishang Street or Xiaoxi Street. Restaurants are right outside, and nighttime activities are convenient. Rates are about 150–280 yuan per night.

• For lake and night views: Hotels around Taihu Fisherman’s Wharf or Moon Bay make it easy to enjoy the lake, sunset, and light show.

• Immersive water-town experience: Waterside guesthouses around Baijianlou in Nanxun Ancient Town let you see the waterways from your window in the morning. Rates are about 200–300 yuan per night.

• Getting around:
  • High-speed rail: For downtown, choose Huzhou Station, which is relatively close to Yishang Street; a ride costs about 15 yuan. If Nanxun is the main focus of your trip, you can also arrive at Huzhou Nanxun Station, just a short walk from the ancient town after leaving the station.
  • Local transport: Huzhou currently has no subway. Downtown attractions are suitable for walking or taxis, with fares starting at 8 yuan. To Nanxun, take bus 101 or a taxi.
  • Driving: The area around Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai is suitable for road trips. Taihu Ancient Town, Nanxun, and Moganshan can be visited on one route, and parking is generally convenient.

Pitfalls to Avoid and Practical Tips

• Nanxun tickets: The main street of Nanxun Ancient Town is free, and the entrance ticket is waived after 5 p.m. Separate combo tickets are required for attractions such as Xiaolianzhuang and the Former Residence of Zhang Shiming. If you only stroll the streets and do not enter the residences, you do not need a pass.
• Moganshan traffic restrictions: During peak season, private cars may be restricted. Reserve tickets in advance and take the official shuttle bus. Avoid private cars soliciting passengers at the village entrance.
• What to wear: Ancient towns and old streets often have bluestone roads, so wear comfortable flat shoes. Winds by Taihu are stronger in the evening, and October has a noticeable temperature difference between morning and evening, so bring a light jacket.
• Avoiding crowds: Enter Nanxun Ancient Town before 8 a.m. or after 3 p.m. to avoid tour groups. It is also best to avoid peak meal times at the more popular snack shops on Yishang Street.