Tongxiang City

Understand

Tongxiang is situated in the northern part of Zhejiang Province, within the heart of the Hangjiahu Plain. It covers an area of 727 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 1.227 million. The city is strategically located in the "Golden Triangle" between Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou, with convenient access to major cities within a one-hour drive.

Getting there

By plane

By train 1 Tongxiang Railway Station. (updated Oct 2018)

See

Central Tongxiang 1 Tongxiang Museum (桐乡博物馆), No. 555, Zhenxing Road (Next to the city government complex). Displays local history and cultural artifacts including ancient pottery, agricultural tools, and documents about the region’s development. Free. 2 Fengxiang Lake Park (凤翔湖公园), Fengxiang Road (Central Tongxiang). A large public park with walking paths, pavilions, and a lake surrounded by gardens. Popular for morning exercise and leisure walks. Free.

Wuzhen

Wuzhen used to be two towns administered by different prefectures, divided by a canal. The two main preserved quarters of Wuzhen today (the "Eastern Quarter" and "Western Quarter") are located on opposite sides of the same canal, and access to them are quite separate. They are based around two old main streets called the "Eastern Palisade" (Dongzha) and "Western Palisade" (Xizha) respectively. Both of these quarters have been comprehensively redeveloped for tourists, are fenced off and charge admission. The areas around the "Northern Pallisade" and "Southern Palisade" (two other old main streets) are also preserved scenic areas, but have not been redeveloped for tourists as much (and still have local residents) and so have less of a "theme park" feel. They are not as scenic, but the Southern Quarter in particular is interesting for a walk that is further off the beaten track, although there are few attractions open to the public. The Northern Quarter has a couple of preserved buildings open to the public, but it has mostly been replaced by modern buildings, so is much less atmospheric. Between the old streets is the modern town centre, which is less atmospheric but has cheaper accommodation than (especially) the Western Quarter.

3 Eastern Quarter (东栅, Dongzha), Northwest of the intersection of Yaotai Road and Ziyi Road, Tongxiang City (main entry is from Ziye Road, near parking lot). Redeveloped and opened as a tourist attraction earlier, the Eastern Quarter or Dongzha features a variety of preserved

Eat

Local Cuisine in Tongxiang Mutton noodles – A beloved comfort food and a must-try for locals and visitors alike. Fermented delicacies – Tongxiang people have a taste for “stinky” foods, such as stinky dried tofu, fermented amaranth stalks, and fermented fish. 1 Tongxiang Noodle House, Downtown Tongxiang (Near the main bus station). A small local restaurant known for traditional Tongxiang noodles served in light soy-based broth. Simple, fast, and popular with residents. 2 Grand Canal Kitchen, No. 88, Canal Road, Tongxiang (Facing the Grand Canal). Serves Hangzhou-style dishes and local river fish. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating with canal views. 3 Wuzhen Local Flavor Restaurant, Wuzhen Scenic Area (Inside the East Gate area). Provides regional specialties such as braised pork and bamboo shoots. A convenient option for visitors exploring the old town. 4 Lotus Vegetarian Café, Near Fengxiang Lake Park (Across from the main park entrance). Vegetarian restaurant serving tofu dishes, noodles, and seasonal vegetables in a quiet setting. 5 Tongxiang Night Market Stalls, Zhongshan Road area (Around the central shopping street). Evenings only. Street food stalls selling skewers, fried noodles, and local snacks. A lively spot to experience the city’s night atmosphere. Budget.