Jiaxing

Understand

History Jiaxing is more than 2000 years old. It was a strategically important town, and fought over by different kingdoms. The citadel at the city's centre is one vestige of this history. Jiaxing proper is best known for historic buildings in the city center and South Lake, a picturesque spot favoured by emperors. Jiaxing and South Lake have long been a popular day-trip destination from Shanghai, while revolutionaries have also used it as an "escape" from Shanghai. In 1921, a group of young revolutionaries whose meeting in Shanghai's French Concession had been disrupted by authorities came here disguised as daytrippers, and finished their meeting on a boat on South Lake - and founded the Communist Party of China. Between 1932 and 1936, Kim Koo and various Korean revolutionaries also took refuge here to escape from Japanese authorities in Shanghai. Jiaxing's reputation for producing and attracting the literati continued into the 20th century. Several writers' homes, and houses where prominent scholars and politicians once lived have been preserved and are now open to the public.

Economy The countryside around Jiaxing became some of China's richest agriculturally, and Jiaxing became a rich market town. In the 6th century, Jiaxing became an important stop on the Grand Canal, the 1,000-km-long watercourse that connected the economically important Yangtze Delta with Beijing, the political capital. Jiaxing became a popular place for scholar-officials to retire to. It was a favorite destination of the Qianlong emperor. To the emperor, Jiaxing, with its prosperous town and busy canal, combined with a beautiful lake and unspoilt countryside, was the ideal Chinese city. In the 19th and 20th centuries, neighboring Shanghai rose up as an international port and metropolis, and modern, Western influences also came to Jiaxing. The Carmelites built one of China's grandest churches in the city centre. Jiaxing city also contains two of China's most famous canal towns - Wuzhen (烏鎮) and Xitang (西塘) - which feature preserved houses set on a dense network of narrow waterways, and are popular with visitors wanting to experience a taste of what was once typical life around the lower Yangtze delta, known as the Jiangnan region. If you have seen a Chinese period drama or kung fu movie set in a Chinese canal town, chances are it was filmed in one of these towns. (Mission Impossible III was also partly filmed in Xitang.) Wuzhen is to the west of Jiaxing, further towards Hangzhou, while Xitang is to the northeast, further towards Shanghai.

Climate

Jiaxing City is located in

Getting there

By train 1 Jiaxing Railway Station (嘉兴站), 179 Chengdong Road, Nanhu District (南湖区城东路179号) (within walking distance to both the city center and South Lake; the bus stop outside the station is served by over two dozen bus routes, Line 1 of the Jiaxing tramway also has a stop here). Visitors arriving by train usually alight at this station. The station is served by the Hangzhou-Shanghai Railway (not the bullet train). Travel time is 45-60 minutes from Shanghai, and just under an hour from Hangzhou. There are numerous trains in both directions throughout the day, but the frequency of trains can vary. Check the timetable when planning your journey. Trains from Shanghai depart from Shanghai South railway station. (updated Oct 2022) 2 Jiaxing South Railway Station (嘉兴南站), Shuangxi Road, Liming Village, Yuxin Town, Nanhu District (南湖区余新镇黎明村双溪路) (in the city's south; Line 1 of the Jiaxing tramway terminates here). You can save a few minutes on your train journey from Shanghai or Hangzhou by taking the high-speed rail to Jiaxing South station but the station is further from the city center. You can get to the city center from here by taking take a bus, tram or taxi cab. (updated Oct 2022)

By car If you want to go by car, it is recommended that you take the highway, which will get you to Jiaxing fast. Jiaxing is on the Shanghai-Hangzhou Highway and 320 National Highway.

By bus In China, there are direct buses between cities.However, it is not recommended to take the bus compared with the high-speed train, because it will be more inconvenient. If you have a lot of luggage, it is recommended to drive or take a high-speed train into Jiaxing. There are numerous long distance coaches connecting Jiaxing with all surrounding cities, including Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Nanjing.The station in the downtown of Jiaxing is Jiaxing North Bus Station. If you plan to play in the downtown, you can recommend this station, which will be more convenient.

By taxi Almost every high-speed rail station, airport, and even bus station exits, there will be many taxis parked on the side of the road.

By boat The World Heritage-listed Grand Canal runs through Jiaxing. Shipping routes include the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Hangzhou-Shen Line, Liuping-Shen Line, Zhajia-Su line, and Hujia-Shen Line. But now with more convenient transportation such as high-speed rail and cars, few people choose to go by boat now, and it can be difficult to find a suitable route. It is no longer possible to travel on the Grand Canal by public transport.

By plane 1 Jiaxing Airport (嘉兴机场). A m

Getting around

In the city centre Jiaxing's taxis are plentiful and (compared to Shanghai and Hangzhou) cheap. There is also a good bus network serving the urban area. The old city is surrounded by a ring road and there are a couple of major avenues running north-south and east-west through the city that connect with the other scenic areas near the city center, buses will usually follow either the ring road or one of these avenues. The old city is walkable on foot. Jiaxing has a public bicycle rental scheme, but you need to get a special bicycle rental card, unless you already have a "city card" (issued to residents) or a public transport card. As such, this is not a practical option for casual visitors. South Lake is served by a regular ferry service, but public transport around the rest of the city by boat ceased several years ago. With the development of the local tourism industry, there are now water buses available in the city center, which require time reservation and route selection. ¥3 at a time (2022), you can use the local transportation card for payment. Jiaxing has seven planned tram lines with a total length of 98 km. The first phase of the project consists of two lines with a total length of 15.6 km, including the demonstration section of Line 1 (Binhe Road station from Fangong Road to Jiaxing South Station, 10.6 km). You can also take the tram to the city center at the exit of Jiaxing South Station.

To suburban towns To get to, and between, Wuzhen, Xitang, and other towns, a combination of trains and buses is available.

For Wuzhen, either take a local train to Tongxiang station, then change for a bus, or catch a bus directly from Jiaxing Coach Station. Between 07:00 and 17:00 buses run every 15 minutes from Tongxiang Station to Wuzhen. A tourist coach service also runs directly from Shanghai South Coach Station (next to Shanghai South Station) to Wuzhen. Coaches also run from Xujiahui in Shanghai to Tongxiang, where you can change for the local bus. For Xitang, either take a local train to Jiashan station or Jiashan South station, then change for a bus, or catch a bus directly from Jiaxing or Jiaxing South station. Some coach services from Shanghai South Coach Station (next to Shanghai South Station) run directly to Xitang (though most run only to Jiashan, requiring a change to a local bus.) Buses from Jiashan to Xitang cost ¥5.

Around Wuzhen and Xitang

In Wuzhen and Xitang, there are buses and taxies to convey visitors between major locations such as between the train station or coach station and the preserved scenic area. Once you are in the

See

City centre

Jiaxing is unearthing its tourism assets. A number of attractions are being restored or renovated, while others have been refurbished.

1 St Mary's Church (天主教堂, Catholic Church), 55 Ziyang Street (Near centre of old city). Once one of China's grandest churches, St Mary's Church was built by the Carmelites near the centre of Jiaxing (just west of the Citadel - see below). Constructed over 13 years and completed in 1930, most of its construction material was imported from France, as was the bell. The church was for a long time the tallest building in Jiaxing. During the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), the church was attacked by Red Guards, who destroyed its roof and smashed doors, windows and statuary. Rooms were later built inside the ruins of the church. The ruins are still imposing, but the interior is not open to the public, but the city government plans to restore the church and build a new development centred around a new church square. The neighbourhood around the church has been demolished in preparation, so the church sits in a large rubble field.The church was listed as a key cultural relic protection unit in Jiaxing City in May 2000.In March 2005, it was listed as a key cultural relic protection unit in Zhejiang Province.In May 2013, it was listed in the seventh group of national key cultural relics protection units. In 2004, the "Landscape Environment Planning and Design of the Catholic Church Area in Jiaxing City" was issued, preparing to plan a church square with an area of 80 hectares.In July 2021, the government completed the renovation and lighting of the outside and opened a large lawn outside the church, which is open to the public and becomes a good place for people to rest and walk. (updated Oct 2022) 2 Vincent Abbey (文生修道院), 153 Guangming St (Northeast of old city, close to Yuehe Street). In its heyday, Vincent Abbey, a Lazarite (Congression of the Mission) monastery, was one of the largest Catholic monasteries in China. It is remarkably well preserved. After 1949, it became a nursing home. It is no longer open for visits, but the public can get a good view of the cloisters from the street. The city government plans to restore the abbey and turn it into another tourist attraction. (updated Jan 2016) 3 Citadel of Jiaxing (子城, Zicheng), Fuqian Street (near the center of old city). Jiaxing is one of the few cities in south-east China that retains any vestige of a citadel. It's at the center of the old city. The citadel was built in 231 AD, and remained the fortified administrative center of Jiaxing until 1912, when it be

Do

watch 1 Take a boat around South Lake, Nanxi West Road, corner of Haiyantang Road (ticket desk) (follow signs to main wharf from ticket desk (2-3 min walk)). Be like the Communist Party's founding fathers, and take a boat onto the South Lake! A regular ferry service takes visitors around South Lake and to the island in the middle of the lake to visit the Pavilion of Mist and Rain and the Communist "Red Boat". Tickets are sold only at the main ticket desk on Nanxi West Road. A ¥60 ticket allows you to get off at each stop, explore the sights, and get on the next boat, while the ¥50 only allows you to get off at the island. All wharves are manned and the attendant can tell you the time for the next boat. The ferry is the best way to see the lake, as it saves the effort of walking around the lake from attraction to attraction. ¥60 (ferry to all destinations); ¥50 (mid-lake island only). (updated Nov 2022)

Festivals 2 Dragon Boat Festival (端午节). Every year on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Every year on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, Jiaxing will hold grand events, such as dragon boat races, wrapping rice dumplings and other activities. If you come to Jiaxing during this time, you can experience this festival. (updated Dec 2022)

Buy

Jiaxing is a city with a lot of shopping areas, it has a variety of brands to choose from.There are many shopping and leisure malls in Jiaxing. There are many brands for you to choose from. The prices are included from low to high, and discount activities are often held. These places are places where Jiaxing people often go shopping.

1 Wanda Plaza (万达广场), 1108 Guangyi Road, Nanhu District. Wanda Plaza has stores all over the country, and this is the first one in Jiaxing. In the busy section, there are many businesses, many are the first in Jiaxing, there is a large supermarket Wumart supermarket, the price is also relatively close to the people. (updated Nov 2022) 2 Yaohan (八佰伴), 1360 Zhongshan Road, Nanhu District,. This is one of the most popular large-scale shopping centers in downtown Jiaxing. It integrates shopping, entertainment and catering. It is an ideal shopping and leisure place in downtown Jiaxing. The downside is that parking is not easy here, and the traffic is often congested. (updated Nov 2022) 3 Nanhu Tiandi, Nanhu Road, Nanhu District. This area of Nanhu Tiandi was renovated and renovated by using the old workshop of Jiaxing Silk Spinning Factory. The organic combination of modern business and historical buildings has become a new landmark in Jiaxing.Walking into Nanhu Tiandi, there are mainstream catering brands on both sides of the river, and there are small bridges in the middle. There are also many trendy business ecological elements such as shopping, entertainment, leisure, etc., one-stop package for eating, drinking and playing. (updated Nov 2022) 4 Huating Street Shopping Center. In Jiaxing, everyone knows about the Huating Street shopping center. Coming to Jianguo Road in the center of Jiaxing city, Huating Street attracts the attention of virtually every foreign tourist with its magnificent architectural momentum and unique architectural style. (updated Nov 2022)

Eat

1 Wu Fang Zhai (五芳斋), 286 West Jianguo Road (建国南路286号). Jiaxing is famed across China for its zongzi, which are compacted parcels of rice and other ingredients wrapped in lotus leaves. The soy sauce-flavoured pork variety is especially popular, but other varieties, both savoury and sweet, also exist. Many shops and restaurants in Jiaxing serve zongzi, but Wu Fang Zhai is by far the best known brand, with several branches just in Jiaxing itself. Wu Fang Zhai's downstairs canteen serves a variety of "small eats" (similar to dim sum) including dumplings and congee as well as zongzi, while the upstairs restaurant serves more upmarket Chinese dishes. (updated Oct 2022) Fresh meat Siomai (鲜肉烧麦). Fresh meat Siomai is a famous pasta snack in Jiaxing City. Shaomai uses hot noodles, that is, to mix noodles with boiling water, the noodles are half-cooked, and then cold water is added to the noodles to increase the molding ability. A special rolling pin with a thick middle and a stick like a stick at both ends is used to roll out the skin. The skin is thin and uneven, and the four sides are like lace. Thin skin filling big, if the cup shape, the bottom is round, thin waist, like lace above, beautiful and delicious. ¥20–25. (updated Oct 2022) Bridge Head Fan Pot (桥头粉丝煲). The main ingredients are vermicelli, pork and shiitake mushrooms, and the seasonings are garlic, bean paste, salt, etc. It is mainly made by cooking. ¥20–30. (updated Oct 2022)

Drink & nightlife

Hangbai chrysanthemum (杭白菊). It is a traditional Chinese tea chrysanthemum, and it is also the best variety of chrysanthemum tea.Drinking Hangbai chrysanthemum can clear heat and quench thirst, moisten the throat and promote body fluid, calm the liver and improve eyesight. (updated Oct 2022) Jiashan rice wine (嘉善黄酒). Jiashan rice wine is made from glutinous rice and aged rice wine. It is brewed in winter using traditional recipes and techniques. It contains 18 kinds of amino acids and is rich in nutrients. It is a popular low-alcohol alcohol, suitable for banquets, banquets and other occasions. (updated Oct 2022)

Sleep

1 Zhejiang South Lake 1921 Club Hotel, Yuanhu Road, Nanhu District, [email protected]. A 5-star hotel on the banks of Nanhu Lake. The hotel’s opulence extends to its classic Chinese architecture and gardens transporting visitors to ancient China and the time of the emperors. (updated Oct 2022) 2 Luoxingge Hotel, No. 335 South Chezhan Road, ☏ +86 57384279999. This 5-star luxury hotel is in the Jiashan commercial hub on South Chezhan Road. It is 4 km from the city center. Their rooms are air-conditioned, and fitted with a cable TV, high-speed Internet, and IDD phone. No. 335 South Chezhan Road Rate start at ¥464.48. (updated Oct 2022) 3 Jiaxing Hilton Hotel (嘉兴希尔顿酒店), 969 Yundong Road, Nanhu District, ☏ +86 573-82288228. It is one of the five-star hotels in Jiaxing. It is convenient to travel around and the accommodation environment is very good. It is recommended for tourists who have high requirements for accommodation.Prices start at ¥676 (updated Oct 2022) 4 Jiaxing Long Dream Hotel, 1977 Zhonghuan Nan Lu, Nanhu District, ☏ +86-0573-82999888. This is a five-star hotel, it is close to the Moon River historical and cultural area, South Lake scenic area, Xitang, Wuzhen and other scenic areas. At the same time, the hotel is close to the Yaohan Shopping Plaza, Wanda Business Circle and other large leisure shopping places, which is also one of the core of business travel. ¥387. (updated Nov 2022)

Go next

Wuzhen and Xitang, two well-preserved canal towns within Jiaxing city limits, are popular destinations for a taste of "water country" life in the Jiangnan region. They are easy to reach from Jiaxing. Wuzhen can be reached by local train plus bus, while Xitang can be reached by bus from Jiaxing railway station.