A photo of old buildings reflected in a canal labeled “China Water Town” caught my eye on Pinterest. After some online sleuthing, I discovered there are eight ancient water towns just 1-2 hours from Shanghai. When a trip to Thailand came together, I decided to add a stopover in Shanghai to visit them. The big question was—how to explore these water towns?
China’s Water Towns
Chinese man, Water Towns of China, Venice of the East, Xitang, China
Venice of the East
There were plenty of day tour options from Shanghai, but I’m not one to be herded around in a big group. I wanted to spend a night or two in these ancient villages, wake up to sunrise over the canals, and truly soak in the culture.
I turned to Viator Tour Guides, where I’ve had great luck finding private guides. I ended up with Harris (who, like many Chinese, had adopted an English name). He spoke English, was based in Shanghai, and had his own car, so he could double as driver and guide. With his help, I picked two water towns to visit over three days and started searching for lodging.
Come along as I explore China’s water towns—the Venice of the East.
China Water Towns
These ancient villages are so off the beaten path that I couldn’t find any stays on popular travel sites. Harris came to the rescue. I told him I wanted to be right in the heart of the villages, in a place with a traditional Chinese bed. Without hesitation, he booked rooms for me at local properties.
Xitang Water Town
Harris met me at Shanghai Airport, and we drove about 90 minutes to Xitang. Over a thousand years old, this village feels like something out of a fairytale—a maze of canals connected by stone bridges, covered walkways, and stucco houses hugging the water. The closest we could get by car was about half a mile from the center, so we hauled my bags along narrow cobbled paths until we reached Guihe Garden Hotel.
Guihe Garden Hotel
The kind owner, who spoke only a little English, showed me to my room with an ornate Chinese bed. Picture a beautifully carved box with open sides and a single silk-covered mattress on a wooden base. Turns out, it was the most uncomfortable sleep I’d had in years!
It wasn’t hard to wake up for sunrise—I’d spent most of the night wrestling with the flimsy cover and trying to get comfortable on that rock-hard platform.
How to spend two weeks in China Guide
Venice of the East in the Early Morning
Around 5:30 AM, I walked through a narrow corridor to the canal in that soft, dreamy pre-sunrise light. A few locals were already out, all staring at me. Was my zipper down? Did I have toilet paper stuck to my shoe?
By mid-morning, I realized why—I was a non-Asian foreigner speaking a strange language, something rare in this water town where most residents were elderly. Harris and I met for breakfast, then I set off alone. I told him I couldn’t spend another night in “the bed.” He laughed and promised to switch me to a regular one.
Pleasant Locals in Xitang Water Town
The locals were warm in a cautious way, and hand gestures became my main communication. Wandering the streets at my own pace was pure joy—a perfect way to watch daily life unfold. If I paused to photograph a food stall, the vendor would always offer a sample. A young couple getting wedding photos by the canal even motioned for me to take pictures too.
A group of high school art students sketching in a courtyard seemed delighted when I admired their work.
Schoolgirls giggled while taking selfies on a stone bridge. I can’t remember another trip where I felt so immersed in a foreign place yet completely safe, loving every moment of my canal-side stroll. Harris found me late afternoon and asked if I wanted to visit a Buddhist temple. Always up for anything, we zigzagged out of old Xitang, hopped in the car, and drove a short distance to the temple.
Temple Worship Service
A worship service was underway—mostly monks, with a few women in dark robes at the back. They turned, smiled, and gestured for me to join. It was one of those moments where culture didn’t matter, and to this day, it remains a treasured memory.
Zhouzhuang Was The Next Water Town!
After two nights in Xitang, we headed to Zhouzhuang, one of the most commercialized water towns, packed with daytime visitors. Having a private guide meant we could stop anywhere interesting. By now, Harris understood my photography obsession and suggested a detour to a tiny water town with a bustling market.
Am I an Alien? Time Traveler
The locals must’ve thought I was from outer space. They stared, touched me, and followed, urging me to buy a live duck, eel-like fish in plastic tubs, or sun-drenched chunks of raw meat.
Live ducks, Water Towns of China, Venice of the East, Xitang, China
Photo by Donnie Sexton
I felt like a time traveler dropped into a centuries-old hamlet where time stood still. A tiny thought whispered: If I got lost here, no one would know where to look for me. What a cool place to disappear!
Zhouzhuang was lively—for the first time in days, I wasn’t the only non-Asian. Europeans and Australians filled the cobblestone streets, and vendors selling sweets, teas, and Chinese goods spoke bits of English.
Bishui Yunju Boutique Hotel
My hotel, Bishui Yunju Boutique, was right in the center—and had a normal bed! At night, when tourists cleared out, Zhouzhuang turned magical. Red lanterns glowed, shop lights shimmered on the canals, and the calm air made for perfect evening strolls in this “Venice of the East.”
Water Towns of China – Amazing!
China’s water towns take effort to reach but are absolutely worth it. They’re living history—rarely mentioned on “must-visit” lists, which makes them even more special. If you love adventure, remote places, and mind-blowing experiences, add them to your travel plans.