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Video highlights

After entering the Nanhu Lake scenic area, first take the ferry to Huxin Island, then climb Yanyu Pavilion for a panoramic view.
At dusk, visit Zicheng Ruins Park; the nearby Catholic Church is a great photo spot.
In Wuzhen, explore the East Scenic Zone during the day and the West Scenic Zone in the evening; reverse the order and you'll miss the scenery.
In Wuzhen East Scenic Zone, you can cross Fengyuan Double Bridge and visit Mao Dun's Former Residence and the Wood Carving Museum.
At the Caomu Bense Dye Workshop in Wuzhen West Scenic Zone, large swaths of blue calico hang overhead.
On day three, head to Meihuazhou, where an ancient temple sits among the trees along the old stone path.

Video transcript

Auto-generated from the video audio, some words may be inaccurate

There's an overlooked gem of a water town in Zhejiang. Do you know where it is? Jiaxing.

There are no massive crowds here, just authentic ancient towns, soothing scenery, and a pace of life so relaxing you won't want to leave. Three days is enough to see all the highlights of Jiaxing. On the morning of day one, head straight to Nanhu Lake Scenic Area.

Nanhu Lake isn't just a park. It's a lakeside scenic area that gets more beautiful the deeper you go. After entering, take the ferry to the island in the center of the lake first.

It's the highlight of Nanhu Lake. Once on the island, go straight to Yanyu Pavilion. We recommend going upstairs for a panoramic view.

It's the best vantage point at Nanhu Lake. In the afternoon, explore the Yuehe Historic District. It's completely different from commercialized ancient towns.

It's an old neighborhood where locals actually live. The best part is wandering freely through the alleys. At dusk, visit Zicheng Ruins Park and combine it with the Catholic Church.

Strolling around Zicheng is the most interesting part. Walk through the streets and slowly admire the scattered ancient buildings. The nearby Catholic Church is a hugely popular photo spot in Jiaxing, with clean, elegant European-style retro architecture.

Day two is the most fun. In Wuzhen, be sure to visit East Scenic Zone during the day and West Scenic Zone at dusk. If you reverse the order, you'll miss the best scenery.

This is the best route according to locals. Visit East Scenic Zone in the morning. The charm of East Scenic Zone lies in its authentic local atmosphere.

It's not large, so you don't need to rush, perfect for a leisurely stroll. When you enter, first cross Fengyuan Double Bridge, the iconic ancient bridge of East Scenic Zone. As you walk into East Scenic Zone, focus on the cultural courtyards.

The former residence of Mao Dun, quiet and rustic, ideal for a peaceful visit to soak in the atmosphere of a literary figure's home. The Wood Carving Museum has plenty to see: traditional Jiangnan wood carvings with exquisite craftsmanship details. In the afternoon, enter West Scenic Zone in Wuzhen.

West Scenic Zone is a refined, top-tier water town. Your first stop should be Caomu Bense Dye House, where large swaths of hanging blue calico cloth flutter in the wind, an iconic scene unique to West Scenic Zone. Dusk is the golden time to explore West Scenic Zone.

Around sunset, the light on the river is soft and gentle, and the ancient buildings take on warm tones. After dark, the lanterns light up, creating a rich, layered nightscape. The West Scenic Zone nightscape is the most soothing and stunning experience of the entire Jiaxing trip.

On day three, leave the bustling water towns behind and head to the tranquil Meihuazhou to enjoy this exclusive Jiangnan hideaway. Walk along the ancient stone paths of the scenic area. A winding river flows through the entire park.

The rustic Shifo Ancient Temple is hidden among the trees, gray-brick halls, ancient simplicity. If you long for ink-wash-painting-like ancient towns in Jiangnan and a slow-paced local lifestyle, then this 3-day Jiaxing itinerary is tailor-made for you. Every day offers a different flavor of Jiangnan.

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Updated 2026/5/29

3 Days in Jiaxing: Yanyu Pavilion on Nanhu Lake, a Night Tour of Wuzhen, and the Hidden Gem of Meihuazhou — Slow Travel Through the Water Towns

#Jiaxing#Nanhu Lake#Wuzhen#Night tour#Meihuazhou

Overview

Want to visit Jiangnan but worried about the crowds? Spend three days in Jiaxing. Let the morning mist over Nanhu Lake wash away your fatigue, and let the flowing waters of Wuzhen soothe your mind. You'll discover that true Jiangnan is meant for slow living. Day one starts at Nanhu Lake. Take a ferry to the island in the center of the lake, climb Yanyu Pavilion, and watch the water stretch to the horizon. In the afternoon, wander into the narrow lanes of Yuehe, with its white walls, black tiles, small bridges, and flowing streams. At dusk, head to Zicheng to walk the ancient city wall, then snap a backlit photo at the Catholic Church. Day two belongs to Wuzhen. Explore East Scenic Zone in the morning, cross Fengyuan Double Bridge, and admire the patterns left by craftsmen in the Wood Carving Museum. In the afternoon, enter West Scenic Zone, where blue calico cloth flutters in the wind and the courtyard of Zhaoming Academy feels so quiet it's been forgotten by time. Don't leave at dusk — as the lanterns light up one by one, you'll understand why Wuzhen's nightscape is the gold standard for ancient towns. On day three, go to Meihuazhou. No one rushes you, and there are no must-see attractions. Stroll along the stone paths, spot the ancient temple hidden among the trees, and watch the river wind around the stone bridges. After three days, you'll want to stay.

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