Jiaxing Travel Guide: Location, Scenic Spots, Tips, Zhejiang China

Jiaxing Travel Guide

Population: 3,355,500
Area: 3,915 square kilometers (1,512 square miles)
Nationalities: Han

Administrative Division: 2 districts (Nanhu, Xiuzhou); 2 counties (Jiashan, Haiyan); 3 county-level cities (Pinghu, Haining, Tongxiang)

Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0573-2159703
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184
Bank of China: 0573-95566

Location: Situated in northeastern Zhejiang Province, central part of the Yangtze Delta, Jiaxing holds an advantaged geographic location, adjacent to the Taihu Lake in the north. It lies across the Hangzhou Bay from Shaoxing and Ningbo and connects to Huzhou in the west. Located on the route between Suzhou and Hangzhou, Jiaxing is no more than one hundred kilometers (62 miles) from Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou.

History: Jiaxing was a place of fish and rice. More than 7,000 years ago, there were inhabitants living on fishery and animal husbandry. It made a great progress in economy during the Sui Dynasty (581-618) due to the construction of the Jiang Nan He, Hangzhou to Zhenjiang section of the Grand Canal. The canal helped Jiaxing to be a bread basket in southeast of China, and a place wealthy in cotton fabric and silk.

time-honored store in old street

Physical Features: The terrain of Jiaxing is flat and low, generally descending from the south to the north. Water-filled depressions are mainly distributed in the area nearby the Taihu Lake. Within the city, plain areas crisscrossed by a net work of rivers and trenches.

Climate: Belonging to the subtropical monsoon climate, Jiaxing is abundant in rainfall and sunshine with wet spring, torrid summer, dry autumn and cold winter. It has an annual average temperature of nearly 16 C (61F), and rainy muggy days in summer are much fewer than dry chilly days in winter.

When to Go: Spring and autumn are the beat time to Jiaxing for the tourist and folk festivals.

Local Highlights:
Jiaxing South Yangtze River Culture Festival (in South Lake during October to November)
China International Qiantang Tidal Bore Festival (in Haining City in the sixth day of the eighth lunar month)
Nanbei Lake Tour Festival (in Haiyan County during April to May)

Special Local Products: water chestnut of South Lake, blue calico (Blue printed colored or flower cloth) of Tongxiang City, silk floss of Wuzhen

Scenic Spots: Water towns are the most distinctive landscape of Jiaxing.

Life on riverside

Lakes:
South Lake: The Lake gained its name for its location in the south of Jiaxing. In Tang Dynasty (618-907), it has become a well-known attraction for its enchanting natural landscape. The mid-lake islet was formed by the deposition of earth left after the completion of a fosse in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
Nanbei Lake: As a matter of fact, it is a reservoir built relying on the seaside lagoons, being divided into north and south parts with many sights in it, including pavilions and hills.

Towns:
Wuzhen: 17 kilometers (11 miles) north of Tongxiang City, the town of Wuzhen is crowned as one of the six ancient towns south of the Yangtze River with a history of more than one thousand years. It displays its profound historical and cultural accumulations in the four crossed old streets, stone bridges above the mild waters and a multitude of Ming and Qing buildings on the sides of the time-honored streets.
Xitang: This elegant historic town boasts of its 250 thousand square kilometers (62 acres) complex of Ming and Qing architecture that is well preserved. It is built along river, and has 27 stone bridges, 122 old lanes and many corridors that constitute the primary characteristic of the ancient town.

Other Scenic Spots: Haining Leather Town, Yanguan Seawall, East Lake Scenic Area

Wuzhen

Xitang Old Town

Tourist Tips:
1. Jiaxing has the north and west bus station undertaking the main passenger transport to Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou and many other cities. Noted is that Jiaxing bears a good location. It is 100 and 90 kilometers (62 and 56 miles) from Shanghai and Hangzhou respectively. The exit of Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway out of Jiaxing is only 6 kilometers (4 miles) from the city proper.

2. Jiaxing is one hour's drive from the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, one and a half hours' drive from Shanghai Pudong International Airport and one hour plus ten minutes' drive from the Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. All these facilities greatly simplify the transport in and out of Jiaxing by air.

3. Visitors can take direct buses to Wuzhen from Jiaxing or transfer in Tongxiang City. Furthermore, there are buses running straightforwards from Shanghai and Hangzhou to Wuzhen. For example, the Hutai Road Long-Distance Bus Station offers buses to Wuzhen for about two hours' drive. In the Hanzhou South Bus Station, buses to Wuzhen are easily to get, too. They will make stops in Tongxiang and then arrive at Wuzhen within one hour.

Q & A on Jiaxing City

Jun. 9,2009 20:52 Reply

Ms.Phoebe(China) said:

The ancient town of Xitang is situated in Jiashan County, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province. Xitang is 11 kilometers from the downtown of Jiashan. On the first day, we took a train from Shanghai to Jiashan and then transfer to Xitang by minibus. The minibus charge cost 3.5 yuan. Xitang has a history of more than 1000 years. In Xitang, the streets along the river all were equipped with canopies. They look like the long corridor in the Summer Palace of Beijing. With the canopies, the rain cannot wet you and the sun cannot burn you.

Feb. 16,2010 09:56
Mr.JACK(QATAR) replied:

HOW MANY HOTELS 4 STARS IN JIAXING PLEASE

Jan. 14,2010 13:22 Reply

Mr.Ravi (India ) said:

Dear Friends , Am planning a trip to China in March 2010 . I intend to stay in Jiaxing city for almost a month and would be tahnkful if anybody can guide me on the availability of 1 bedroom kitchen flat for a month on rent.

Want to know whether Shanghi will be a better place to stay or to move to a different tomorrow.

rgds,

Jan. 25,2010 20:37
Ms.JILLYZHU(China) replied:

Hi,Mr Ravi:

Welcome to Jiaxing,and i am wondering which area do u want to stay?
Shanghi=Shanghai?they are different cities ,Shanghai is much bigger than Jiaxing ,and 1.5 hour far away ,i think u can find some angency for help ,and once u decide to stay in Jiaxing for 1 month,i will try to find some legal angency for your info

Dec. 21,2009 00:44 Reply

Mr.Schmutly(Australia) said:

Thanks for replying Ms Jilly and Ms.Phoebe. :)
Thats great. Hmmmm, sounds very facinating.
I love the people and the culture...they are
a bit like Aussies, friendly and outgoing.
And yes you are right. Its not safe ANYWHERE
if your alone at night..unless your crazy..haha!!

Hmmm, A Musicians bar...i play a mean guitar so
i must come and play there, i might even get a
date without trying..lol ;)
Thanks again...it will be a future trip for sure,

Robbie

Dec. 11,2009 02:22 Reply

Mr.Dushyant Gupta(India ) said:

Dear Sir,

How can i reach Puyuan Wool Sweater Market from Shanghai Pudong Airport. Kindly also let me know what will the taxi cost from Shanghai Pudong Airport to Puyuan Wool Sweater Market and what good hotels are avaialble in Puyuan Wool Sweater Market for 2 day stay.

Thanks and Regards

Dec. 11,2009 21:25
Mr.Hank replied:

Puyuan is located in Tongxiang City, which is about 140kms at least from downtown Shanghai. The taxi fare will be very expensive. If possible, it is suggested that you take the airport shuttle bus Line 5 to reach Shanghai Railway Station. Here, you could catch a bus at the north squre to reach Tongxiang City with a fare of CNY42. When you arrive in Tongxiang, please hire a cab driving you to the market.

Dec. 12,2009 01:14
Mr.Dushyant Gupta(India) replied:

Dear Mr.Hank ,

Thank you so much. can you also please suggest any good hotel in Tongxiang

Dec. 12,2009 01:50
Mr.Dushyant Gupta(India) replied:

Dear Mr.Hank,

Also will I get a bus from Shanghai Railway Station or will I get a train from Shanghai Railway Station

Dec. 12,2009 03:51
Mr.Hank replied:

The Long-distance Bus Station of Shanghai is located on the north square of Shanghai Railway Station. I meant you should take a bus, not a train.

I know a star-rated hotel called New Century Hotel, Tongxiang. It enjoys high fame, located at 6, Qingfeng South Road, Tongxiang City.

Dec. 12,2009 05:05
Mr.Dushyant Gupta(India ) replied:

Dear Mr.Hank ,

Thank you once gain for your prompt response.

Kindly let me know whether the Puyuan Woollen Sweater Market would open on or around Christmas and New Year

your response is really helpful in planning my trip.

Dec. 13,2009 01:17
Mr.Andrew replied:

Open around Christmas and New Year (Jan 1). Maybe have a short rest during the Chinese New Year in Feb.

Dec. 13,2009 04:15
Mr.Dushyant Gupta(India) replied:

Dear Sir,

Many thanks and sorry to bother you again.

My flight arrives at PVG(Pudong) at 1000 hrs. Would you be having the detail regarding bus timings to Tongxiang City

Dec. 13,2009 23:11
Mr.Andrew replied:

Hi. In the parking lot of Pudong AIrport, there is the long distance bus station of the airport having buses to Jiaxing. You make try to catch the bus at 11:10 or 13:10. It arrives in Jiaxing West Bus Station. There are express bus and city Bus (No. 191) to Tongxiang Bus Station. It seems the long distance buses to TOngxiang are leaving from Shanghai South Bus Station next to Shanghai SOuth Railway Station. Many buses a day, leaving about every an hour. You can try to catch up with the bus departing at 11:10 or 12:10.

Dec. 20,2009 22:54
Ms.Jilly Zhu(Tongxiang) replied:

Hello:

I think can also take a taxi directly from Jiaxing to Puyuan ,if share the taxi with others ,only to pay 15yuan/person ,it is a cheap and efficient way!
Just my suggestion

Nov. 7,2009 01:09 Reply

Mr.schmutly(Australia) said:

Hello.
I was wondering how safe the city is.
I'd like to visit someone there and just wondered
how it fairs for foreigners, whats the general feel
of them visiting and do you recommend any restaurants
and entertainment that you consider a nice and safe
enviroment to take a lady to? I have not be to China before.
Appreciate your feedback,
Robbie :)

Dec. 20,2009 22:46
Ms.Jilly Zhu(Tongxiang) replied:

Hello,Mr Schmulty:

Tks for searching the info about Jiaxing,as a resident here ,i am pleased and honor to answer some of your questions:
1.I think it is a safe city ,at least i stay here 26 years ,feel it is safe ,even when walking outside at mid night it is ok.but still be careful when night time if alone!
If u want to visit here ,it is a good choice to visiting sightseeing area and some business market(sweaters&leather&fur and others)

Many restaurants here ,different types ,just depends on what u like.and for entertainment ,there is Karaokay ,musican bar,tea house...

If with a lasy here ,then some romantic restaurant,or maybe can walking in Wuzhen(water villiage),will be perfect!

Anyway ,welcome to Jixiang ,i just show some of my oppinions ,for your info

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