Water Town Attractions

Escape from the bustling & hustling city life in China to relax yourself in ancient water towns which surrounded by rivers, lakes and canals, three parts of China comprise a “golden triangle” of historical towns that mostly run on the water. Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou form this pyramid-shaped area known as the “Venice of the East,” filled with thousands of years of history and cities built around complex canal systems. Here, locals and tourists still get around by hand-controlled boats—and sometimes, the captain will even serenade you with a traditional Chinese folk song.

China's water towns prove there are still a few places left in China that retain dreamy, rustic charm -- a welcome sight in a country that often feels like a giant construction site. Unlike Venice, which draws travelers seeking Bolognese with a side of heavy tourism, the Chinese equivalents offer crowd-free trips back in time.

If you are looking forward to explore China’s ancient water towns, here are some top ancient water towns around Hangzhou to visit.