Jiaxing sits on the Grand Canal in northern Zhejiang, between Shanghai and Hangzhou, and its visitor appeal is concentrated around water: South Lake to the south-east of the old walled city, the city moat and canals, and the restored canal-side neighbourhoods of Meiwan Street and Yuehe Street. The old walled city itself retains fragmented remains of its citadel, along with writers' homes and two early twentieth-century abbeys.
For a visitor, the practical geography is simple. The historic core and its canal-side districts lie in the urban districts of the city, South Lake sits just to the south-east of the old walled city, and the canal towns of Wuzhen and Xitang lie within the wider city limits but outside the built-up core. This guide covers which areas make sense as a base, and what kind of accommodation you find at each budget level.
Best areas to stay in Jiaxing
1. Nanhu District (South Lake area)
Nanhu District is the urban district that contains South Lake, the long-popular tourist site south-east of the old walled city and the place where the Chinese Communist Party was founded on a boat in the lake. It is the most convenient base for sightseeing, with the lake, the old city's surviving remains and the canal-side neighbourhoods all within the same part of the city.
This area suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants to be close to the main sights rather than commuting in. Accommodation here runs towards larger full-service hotels, including five-star properties on or near the lake, several of which are also positioned close to the Moon River historical and cultural area, the South Lake scenic area, and shopping and business districts. If you plan to visit Xitang or Wuzhen as day trips, a Nanhu District base keeps you on the right side of the city for them.
2. Yuehe Street (Zhongji Road and surrounds)
Yuehe Street, literally "moon river street", is a restored neighbourhood north of the old city, near the city moat, canals and lakes. It combines restored historic buildings with newly landscaped gardens, and its character is defined by artisan workshops and street food stores. In January 2022 it was named the first provincial night cultural and tourist concentration area.
This is the area to choose if evening atmosphere and food matter to you. It suits travellers who want to step out of their accommodation into a lively street rather than a quiet residential district. Note that the neighbourhood itself is a restored historic quarter, so the accommodation around it is oriented towards visitors rather than being a large modern hotel district.
3. Meiwan Street
Meiwan Street, literally "Prunus bay street", is the counterpart to Yuehe Street, a restored neighbourhood south of the old city near the moat, canals and lakes. Its buildings are in the style of private residences of prominent families, and it contains Kim Koo's refuge, a house significant in the history of the Korean independence movement, and a family shrine of the Qian family.
This area suits visitors with an interest in history and architecture who prefer a quieter, more residential-feeling restored quarter. It is a good base for exploring the old walled city's surviving writers' homes and abbeys on foot. Like Yuehe Street, it is a heritage neighbourhood rather than a hotel zone, so expect smaller-scale places to stay rather than large complexes.
4. Jiashan (South Chezhan Road area)
Jiashan is a county-level city within Jiaxing's wider administration, and the South Chezhan Road area functions as its commercial hub, roughly four kilometres from the city centre. It is served by larger luxury hotels with air conditioning, cable TV, high-speed internet and IDD phones.
This area suits travellers whose priority is a comfortable, well-equipped hotel base and who do not mind being outside the historic core. It is a practical choice if your plans lean towards Jiashan and the canal towns rather than the old city sights, but you will need to travel in for South Lake and the canal-side neighbourhoods.
5. Wuzhen and Xitang
Wuzhen and Xitang are townships within Jiaxing's city limits, both featuring preserved and restored houses along small canals in the style typical of the region's canal towns. They are popular tourist destinations and filming locations.
Staying in one of these townships suits travellers who want the canal-town experience itself as the focus of their trip, rather than using Jiaxing city as a base. They are separate from the urban districts, so treat them as an alternative base rather than a neighbourhood of the city. If you want both the city sights and a canal town, staying in Nanhu District and visiting Wuzhen or Xitang as a day trip is the more practical arrangement.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Smaller-scale accommodation in and around the restored heritage neighbourhoods, where the setting is historic rather than purpose-built, and in the townships, where the appeal is the canal-town location itself.
- Mid-range: Standard city hotels in the urban districts, offering air conditioning, cable TV, internet access and phone lines, with easy access to the sights by road or rail.
- Splurge: Full-service luxury and five-star properties, concentrated in Nanhu District near South Lake and in the Jiashan commercial hub, some with classic Chinese architecture and gardens and proximity to shopping and business districts.
Best area for a first visit
Nanhu District is the best base for a first visit. It puts you in the same urban district as South Lake, the old walled city's surviving remains and the canal-side neighbourhoods, so the main sights are within reach without a long commute. It also keeps you well placed for day trips to Xitang and Wuzhen, which lie elsewhere within the wider city limits.
Frequently asked questions
Which area is closest to South Lake?
Nanhu District. South Lake lies to the south-east of the old walled city, within the urban district, and several hotels in the district sit on or near the lake itself.
Where should I stay if I want evening food and atmosphere?
Yuehe Street, north of the old city. It features artisan workshops and street food stores, and was named the first provincial night cultural and tourist concentration area.
Can I stay in Wuzhen or Xitang instead of Jiaxing city?
Yes. Both are townships within Jiaxing's city limits and are popular tourist destinations in their own right, with preserved and restored houses along small canals. They are separate from the urban districts, so they work as an alternative base rather than as a city neighbourhood.
How do I get around from these areas?
Jiaxing is served by two railway stations, Jiaxing railway station on the Shanghai–Kunming railway and Jiaxing South railway station on the high-speed Shanghai–Hangzhou line, as well as two long-distance bus stations and an airport. The city also sits on major expressways and China National Highway 320, which makes road access to the canal towns straightforward.
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