Huzhou

Huzhou is a small Jiangnan city that is perfect for slow wandering and good food, with both the gentle charm of a water-town old quarter and the laid-back feel of the Taihu Lake shoreline. Here is a detailed 3-day, 2-night guide for you: no detours, no tourist traps, just copy and go!

Relaxed 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• ​​Day 1​​: In the morning, stroll along Yishang Street and try the snacks. In the afternoon, wander Zhuangyuan Street and Xiaoxi Street to soak up the artsy atmosphere. In the evening, head to Taihu Moon Bay for lake views.
• ​​Day 2​​: In the morning, visit Tiefo Temple and Fahua Temple for a peaceful start. In the afternoon, explore Huzhou Movie Town. In the evening, make the highlight stop at Taihu Ancient Town to see the night views and musical fountain.
• ​​Day 3​​: Head to Nanxun Ancient Town, visit Xiaolianzhuang, Zhang Shiming’s Former Residence, and Zhang Jingjiang’s Former Residence, and experience water-town architecture that blends Chinese and Western styles. Return at a relaxed pace in the afternoon.

Must-Visit Attractions

Must-Try Food and Restaurants

• ​​Huzhou Renjia · Retro Garden Restaurant​​: A garden-style restaurant converted from an old building. The crayfish with preserved mustard greens and chuantou fish are very authentic, and local visitors love it too.
• ​​Yishang Street​​: A hub for snacks! Recommended spots include Qianduoduo Wontons​​, ​​Zhu Laoda Qianzhang Bao​​, and ​​Huzhou Sticky Rice Rolls​​. Prices are friendly, making it perfect for eating while you stroll. ​​
• ​​Zhu Laoda Zongzi​​: A long-established Huzhou zongzi brand. The pork zongzi is rich but not greasy, while the salted egg yolk zongzi is fragrant and runny, making them great souvenirs.
• ​​Ye Biqi​​: A century-old pastry shop. The dingsheng cake is soft, glutinous, and lightly sweet, while the jühong cake is delicate without being cloying. Locals buy from here during festivals.
• ​​Mingzhi Restaurant​​: An old-school restaurant locals line up for, serving authentic local cuisine. Go early to avoid the queue.

Transportation and Accommodation Guide

• ​​Transportation​​: Driving is highly recommended. Huzhou’s attractions are fairly spread out, and there is no metro, so self-driving gives you the most flexibility. If taking the high-speed train, Huzhou Station is not far from either the city center or Nanxun; for flights, you can fly to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport and then transfer by coach or taxi.
• ​​Accommodation​​: The Yishang Street/Xiaoxi Street area is the top choice, with easy walking access to food and shops and a convenient distance from the high-speed rail station. For lake views, stay near Taihu Moon Bay. For an in-depth water-town experience, choose accommodation around Nanxun Ancient Town.

Pitfall-Avoidance Tips

• Do not visit Taihu Ancient Town during the day; it lacks atmosphere then. Nighttime is when it truly shines.
• In the city center, walk between nearby sights; for anything farther away, just take a taxi. The starting fare is 8 yuan, so there is no need to rely stubbornly on buses.
• For viral check-in spots like Anji Waterfall Coffee, the main draw is paying for a photogenic setting. The coffee itself is average, so it is best to keep expectations modest.