Ancient Water Towns

Canals, stone bridges and tiled roofs — the classic water towns of the Yangtze delta, each with its own quiet personality.

20 places in this guide · Hand-picked and verified

乌

Wuzhen

乌镇

Jiaxing

The best-run water town, with a cinematic night scene

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南

Nanxun

南浔

Huzhou

The wealthy water town of silk merchants and stone gardens

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西

Xitang

西塘

Jiaxing

The water town with covered corridors against the rain

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同

Tongli

同里

Suzhou

The garden water town, quietest of the Suzhou classics

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甪

Luzhi

甪直

Suzhou

The unpolished water town, popular with Chinese film crews

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