Stand on the deck of a boat on the Changxing-Huzhou-Shanghai Channel and you will see why locals call it the "Eastern Rhine River": barges move in both directions, and the city's low skyline slides past behind them. Huzhou sits on the south bank of Lake Tai, and its pleasures are quiet ones — a water town, a bamboo-covered mountain, a park of old trees.
The city suits travellers who are already in Shanghai or Hangzhou and want a slower day or two away from the crowds, and anyone interested in silk, ink brushes and the tea tradition associated with Lu Yu. This guide covers the sights and experiences worth your time, followed by a plan for a single day.
Top things to do in Huzhou
1. Nanxun Ancient Town
Nanxun Ancient Town is the strongest single reason to come to Huzhou. It is a water town in Nanxun District, and it stands out among the many water towns south of the Yangtze. The town itself is free to enter, but individual ancient houses and manors inside charge their own fees, so budget around ¥80 if you want to go into them.
It is open 8:00–17:00. Because the entrance is free, you can walk the lanes and bridges without committing to the ticketed buildings, then decide which houses are worth the extra fee once you are inside.
2. Moganshan
Moganshan, in Deqing County, is a mountain scenic area full of bamboo forests. The air in the mountains is fresh and it is notably cool here in summer, which makes it the obvious choice when the city is hot and humid.
It is open 8:30–16:30 and admission is ¥80. Go in the morning so you have the full day on the mountain, and bring layers — the point of the place is the cooler air.
3. Anji County
Anji County offers a glimpse of rural life among bamboo forests, and it is popular with Chinese tourists from Shanghai and Hangzhou. The area holds large stretches of bamboo groves.
Treat Anji as a half-day or full-day excursion rather than a quick stop. If you are already going to Moganshan for the bamboo, Anji gives you the rural, working version of the same landscape.
4. Huzhou Museum
Huzhou Museum is a comprehensive museum that combines collection, research and display. It holds three basic exhibitions: "Wuxing Fu – Huzhou History and Humanities Series", "Knife and Wood Life – Zhao Yannian Art Exhibition", and "Things I Forgot: Zhao Family Memorial Hall and Ming and Qing Classical Furniture Exhibition".
It is open every Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00–16:00. Pair it with Lianhuazhuang Park, which is also in Wuxing District, and use the museum as your wet-weather or midday option.
5. Lianhuazhuang Park
Lianhuazhuang Park on Lianhuazhuang Road in Wuxing District is a park with a long history and a deep cultural background. It holds a large number of ancient and famous trees that stay evergreen all year, along with places of interest such as the lotus pond, lotus pavilion and lotus tower.
It is open 06:00–20:00. Come early for the trees and the quiet, and combine it with Huzhou Museum nearby.
6. Huzhou Changdao Park
Changdao Park on Taihu Road in Wuxing District is the largest park in Huzhou and is well suited to exercise. Every evening many people run and walk here, especially in summer, and each spring when the tulips bloom it draws crowds to see the flowers.
Go in the evening if you want the local atmosphere, or in spring for the tulips. It is a good way to end a day rather than a destination in itself.
7. Xishan Yang Wetland Scenic Area
Xishan Yang Wetland Scenic Area, on Xishan Road in Balidian Town, Wuxing District, is known as the only lake in Huzhou that can rival West Lake. Its main attractions include the Water Conservancy Park with the Pan Jixun Memorial Hall, Wuxing Pastoral Slow City, Wuxing Painting and Calligraphy Academy, Wedding Park and Wetland Park.
Because the site is spread across several separate attractions, allow a generous half day and pick the parts that interest you rather than trying to cover everything.
8. Huzhou Art Museum
Huzhou Art Museum on Longwangshan Road in Wuxing District is built in a Greek architectural style and collects and displays fine arts, calligraphy works and related cultural relics from past dynasties.
It is open Monday to Sunday, 09:00–16:30. It pairs naturally with the Science and Technology Museum, which is also on the Wuxing District museum circuit.
9. Huzhou Science and Technology Museum
Huzhou Science and Technology Museum on Renhuangshan Road in Wuxing District is very suitable for bringing children. The first floor has many aerospace-related projects, and the second floor has Huarong Road and other projects.
It is open every Wednesday to Sunday, 9:00–16:00, and you need to make an appointment online before visiting. Book ahead, and go on a weekday if you want it calmer.
10. Linghu Ancient Town
Linghu Ancient Town on Dongzha Road in Nanxun District preserves many buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, with small bridges and flowing water, and it is very quiet.
It is open all day, every day. It makes a calm counterpoint to Nanxun Ancient Town, and the two sit in the same district if you want to see both in one trip.
11. Silk Town Digang Ancient Village
Silk Town Digang Ancient Village is a thousand-year-old ancient town with a long history and little known beyond the region. There are few tourists here and it remains a relatively original village.
Go for the unhurried pace rather than for sights. Combine it with Linghu Ancient Town if you are spending a day in Nanxun District.
12. Tashan Forest Park
Tashan Forest Park, in the Mogan Mountain Scenic Area, is named for its location in Tashan Town. The air is very good and it is well suited to morning exercise.
Use it as an early-morning walk if you are staying near Moganshan, before the scenic area opens at 8:30.
13. Fangfeng Temple Fair
Fangfeng Temple Fair takes place at Fangfeng Mountain in Deqing County on the day before and after the 25th day of the eighth lunar month. It is one of the components of Fangfeng culture and is closely related to the Fangfeng myth. A grand temple fair is held on the day, with vendors selling goods and stalls all over the street, and it is lively with crowds of people.
Because the date follows the lunar calendar, check it against your travel dates before you commit to being in Deqing.
14. Peach Blossom Festival
The Huzhou Peach Blossom Festival runs every year in March and April. It includes peach blossom viewing along with entertainment such as flower viewing and dancing, tasting peach blossom wine, and taking part in competitions.
Spring is the window for this one, so plan a March or April trip around it if the festival appeals.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Lianhuazhuang Park when it opens at 06:00, walking among the ancient trees and the lotus pond while it is quiet. Move on to Huzhou Museum when it opens at 9:00 and see the three basic exhibitions.
Afternoon: Spend the middle of the day at Xishan Yang Wetland Scenic Area, choosing between the Water Conservancy Park and Pan Jixun Memorial Hall, Wuxing Pastoral Slow City, Wuxing Painting and Calligraphy Academy, Wedding Park and Wetland Park. If you prefer art, substitute Huzhou Art Museum, open until 16:30.
Evening: Finish at Huzhou Changdao Park on Taihu Road, where people run and walk each evening. If you have a second day, give it to Nanxun Ancient Town or to Moganshan.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of year to visit Huzhou?
Spring brings the Peach Blossom Festival in March and April and the tulips in Changdao Park. Summer is hot and humid, which makes the cool air of Moganshan and the bamboo forests of Anji County the sensible choice. The Fangfeng Temple Fair falls on the day before and after the 25th day of the eighth lunar month.
Do I need to book anything in advance?
Yes, for one place: Huzhou Science and Technology Museum requires an appointment made online. Everything else in this guide can be visited without a booking, though Nanxun Ancient Town charges fees for individual ancient houses and manors inside the free town.
Is Nanxun Ancient Town free to enter?
The ancient town itself is free. There are fees for individual ancient houses and manors within it, and the figure given is ¥80. It is open 8:00–17:00.
What can I do in Huzhou with children?
Huzhou Science and Technology Museum is the clearest choice, with aerospace-related projects on the first floor and Huarong Road and other projects on the second. It is open Wednesday to Sunday, 9:00–16:00, and needs an online appointment.
Decide whether your trip is a water town and silk day or a bamboo mountain day, check the museum opening days against your dates, and you have enough to start planning.