Xinshi Ancient Town

Xinshi Ancient Town is a 1,000-year-old town integrating watertown culture, canal culture and silkworm culture. It is in the southern part of the Yangtze River Delta with many crisscrossing rivers flowing inside. It is also the largest water transportation hub along Grand Canal, the longest in ancient China connecting Beijing and Hangzhou. In ancient times, people here mainly relied on silkworms for a living and you can find the traces even today. 

Xinshi Ancient Town is located in Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 50 km (30 mi) northeast of Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province.
 

What to See in Xinshi Ancient Town

Although the prospersous past of Xinshi as a busy transportation and commercial hub along the Grand Canal is gone, the remaining folk houses built in the Ming (1368 - 1644 AD) and Qing (1644 - 1911 AD) dynasties, ancient temples, and bridges in the town are worth visiting.

The Carved Wooden Pavilion of the Ming and Qing Dynasties displays distinctive wooden carvings. Here are more than one hundred items collected over the years from the historical buildings of the town.

Here are also the Research Institute of Xinshi Cultural and History, ancient shops, Liuwang Temple, the Folk Art Museum, Silkworm Culture Hall, the Former Residence of Shensui who was a great artist of the Qing Dynasty, Juehai Temple and other folk buildings presenting the culture and history of Xinshi Ancient Town.

Xinshi Ancient Town has not yet been fully developed as a scenic spot and is not as noisy as other commercialized ancient towns. Strolling in this ancient town with a history of a thousand years, you can feel a rare peace and quietness in your inner heart. There are people quietly sketching by the river and children rushing to play in the alleys. There are many glimpses of life of the common people here. 
 

Silkworm Festival

Xinshi Ancient Town remains the essence of traditional folk culture in the southern part of the Yangtze River Delta. The most famous and influential cultural activity is the annual Silkworm Festival which is held in early April in Juehai Temple to pray for a good harvest. During the festival, visitors can appreciate many traditional shows, including the copper pipe show, the waist drum show, the martial arts show, and the dragon dance show. In the evening, there is also a show of lanterns made of silkworms.
 

What to Eat in Xinshi Ancient Town

The most famous food in Xinshi Ancient Town is mutton. People in the town usually begin the day with a bowl of mutton noodles. It is highly recommended for you to eat a bowl of mutton noodles and experience the cozy life of the town. In addition to mutton, tea cake, sesame pancakes, and shaomai are worth a try.
 

How to Get to Xinshi Ancient Town from Hangzhou

There are seven long-distance buses from Hangzhou Long-distance Bus Station to Xinshi Long-distance Bus Station which take nearly 1 hour and the fare is CNY 25. The depature times are 8:25, 10:00, 12:10, 14:05, 15:45, 17:05, and 18:05.
 

How to Get to Xinshi Ancient Town from Huzhou

There are three long-distance buses from Huzhou Long-distance Bus Station to Xinshi Long-distance Bus Station which depart at 09:40, 13:50, 17:25. The journey also takes around 1 hour and the fee is CNY 13.
 
Joint Tickets for Attractions  CNY 35 for an adult
Free for children below 1.2 meters (1.3 yards)
Opening Time The town opens all day long
Attractions in the town: 08:00-11:00 and 12:30-16:20
Suggested Visiting Time 2-3 Hours

 Other Water Town in Huzhou:
 Nanxun Water Town 
- Last updated on Feb. 20, 2024 -
Questions & Answers on Xinshi Ancient Town
Asked by Jay Hugo from USA | Feb. 11, 2024 07:42Reply
Lodging
How can I find small, unique and authentic places to stay in Xinshi? Thank you.
Answers (2)
Answered by Marcy | Feb. 19, 2024 00:09
00Reply


600-800 yards from the ancient town, you can try Stream in the West and Beian Theme Hotel.
Answered by Jay | Feb. 20, 2024 04:14
00Reply


Many thanks!
Asked by Wong Yinn Ein from MALAYSIA | Sep. 26, 2018 02:52Reply
Can you please let me know is there any public transport from Deqing to XinShi?
Answers (2)
Answered by Jessica from USA | Sep. 26, 2018 20:20
00Reply


At Deqing General Bus Station, there are many buses running between the two places every day. The duration is about half an hour and CNY8.5 per person.
Answered by Wong Yinn Ein from MALAYSIA | Sep. 27, 2018 02:34
00Reply


Thank you so much.
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