Water Town Tour from Shanghai, No Shopping

Welcome to choose the one day water town tour from Shanghai! After experiencing the high-energy bustle of Shanghai, you cannot miss exploring an ancient water town, to touch its poetic, cultural soul and soak up a dose of laid-back vibes. A lot of beautiful, traditional water towns are tucked away just 1 to 2 hours’ drive from Shanghai. Let us guide you through the town of your choice – whether it’s Wuzhen, Xitang, Nanxun, Zhouzhuang, or any other town tailored entirely to your interests.

At around 9:00 in the morning, your private guide and the driver will meet you at your self-booked hotel in downtown Shanghai, and escort you on a relaxed private car ride to the water town.
► Alternative Pickups: For transit travelers, we also offer convenient transfers from Shanghai airports, train stations, or cruise terminals, and customize a Shanghai layover tour for you. Additional fees apply upon request.

Stepping into the centuries-old water town, reminiscent of the “Venice of the East”, a picturesque Chinese ink and wash painting just unfolds before your eyes. Belt-like canals are crossed by antique stone bridges. The white-walled and grey-tiled buildings stand along the waterfront side by side, with the upturned eaves extending to the river, while small boats moored in front of the houses sway gently in the breeze, not to mention the labyrinthine, narrow flagstone paved alleys lined with traditional architecture. Banners with decorative Chinese characters from restaurants and shops flutter in the wind, and strings of bright red lanterns hang from the corners of the rooftops, and the happy burble of chatter and singing rises out of the windows of the riverfront teahouses and restaurants, offering a lively water town life scene. Time seems to slow down here as you see locals still use the old waterways to wash clothes, and row boats back and forth. Your guide will accompany you to savor the quite vibrant and mellow atmosphere by meandering through the time-worn alleys, explore the well-preserved gardens, temples, and chic museums, experience the age-old customs, and gorge on traditional local snacks.

► Visit Tips:
1. Almost all the water towns offer hand-rowed boat rides. If interested, hop on a traditional “gondola” and float along the water lane at leisure. The expense is on your own, generally costing around CNY 50 (USD 7.2) per person and CNY 240 to 320 (USD 35-46) for a private chartered boat.
2. Wear a pair of comfortable sneakers, as you may need to walk a lot on the cobblestone paths.  

In the late afternoon, if the weather permits, you may also capture a captivating sunset, where the stone bridges, whitewashed houses with black tiles, and flowing streams are all bathed in the orange glow. Finishing the private Shanghai day tour to a water town, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel in Shanghai, the airport or the train station. If you plan to leave Shanghai today, please schedule your time well and book the flight or train for late night. Wish you a nice trip!

► Water Town Options

If you are still wonder which water town to choose, hereunder is a brief round-up of top choices for an epic and romantic water town exploration:

Wuzhen - A Cultural Landmark that Blends Tradition and Modernity

As one of the most beautiful water towns in China, the 1,300-year-old Wuzhen Water Town is divided into four parts. Its most popular section, the West Scenic Zone, aka Xizha, houses centuries-old architecture and traditional crafts like indigo dyeing, silk reeling, brocade weaving, wood carving, and bamboo weaving. Together, they maintain a nostalgic Ming and Qing Dynasty (1368 - 1911 AD) feel. The town is culturally vibrant, home to local Drum Flower opera as well as a captivating Theater Festival that takes place through mid-to-late October. Meanwhile, cutting-edge technologies at the annual World Internet Conference unveil a modern take on this old tradition.

Xitang - Famous for Mission Impossible 3 & Gorgeous Illuminations

The small, quaint Xitang Water Town had long been off the radar for most travelers until the adrenaline scenes that Tom Cruise jumped over the black-tiled roofs, through old stone bridges, and the long covered corridor in Mission Impossible 3, showed up in cinemas. Stroll along the 1,300-meter-long (0.8 mi) Covered Corridor by the river, once providing shelter for merchants, and explore the intricately designed, classic Zui Garden, West Garden, the Button Museum, and Root Carving Museum. The narrow Shipi Lane, wide at 80 cm (31.5 inches), allows only one person to pass through. Follow the sizzling smells to savor the soft, glutinous water chestnut cake, Grandma Guan's stinky tofu, braised pork, and malt cakes. As night falls, red lanterns light up, their warm glow illuminating the river, making it even more atmospheric.

Nanxun - Once the Richest Town in South China 

Nanxun may astound you with its once immense wealth. During its 19th-century heyday, the town's total wealth reached approximately USD 1 billion in today's terms, due to its developed silk industry. Many silk tycoons emerged, and the four wealthiest merchants were known as the "Four Elephants of Nanxun" and built grand mansions, gardens, and villas throughout the town. Visit these luxurious private resorts blending Western elements, such as Little Lotus Garden with Jiaye Library, Zhang Shiming’s Former Residence, and Liu Tiqing’s House. Learn about their legendary stories. Finish your day exploring the historic One-hundred Residential Houses as their black-tiled roofs and gray walls stretch along the canals. If lucky, you might even witness a traditional water town wedding ceremony floating by!

Zhouzhuang - No. 1 Water Town in China

Zhouzhuang has long enjoyed the title of China’s No.1 Water Town, and it is home to the richest merchant in the 14th-century Ming Dynasty, Shen Wansan, who owned immense wealth but was finally exiled to the border due to the emperor’s jealousy. Explore his old residence to learn about his wealth stories and touch the “treasure bowl”, which can bring good fortune. You’ll also see the residential complex where boats can navigate through, as it features a private pier in the backyard. Zhouzhuang is also famous for its 14 centuries-old bridges, with the iconic Twin Bridges as the highlight.