In this fast-paced era, we all yearn to find a sanctuary where our souls can rest. While people marvel at the elegance of Wuzhen, I found another lesser-known embodiment of Jiangnan’s gentle charm in Anchang Ancient Town.
Anchang, a name that inherently embodies simplicity and tranquility, does not boast the same bustling atmosphere as popular ancient towns. Instead, it flows leisurely through the long history of Shaoxing with its unique charm.
📍 Ancient Town Coordinates
Anchang Ancient Town is located in Keqiao District, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, adjacent to Hangzhou Bay. With a history spanning a thousand years, it is the perfect place to experience the authentic lifestyle of Jiangnan water towns.
🚗Self-driving: From Hangzhou or Shaoxing, navigate to “Anchang Ancient Town.” The journey takes approximately 1 hour.
🚄Public Transportation: Take the high-speed train to Shaoxing North Station, then transfer to bus 805 for direct access to the ancient town. It’s convenient and fast.
💰Ticket Tips: Anchang Ancient Town offers free entry for tourists (some internal exhibitions or experience projects may require tickets). This means you can immerse yourself in every moment of the ancient town without any burden.
🅿️Parking Fee: ¥10 for 4 hours
Must-Visit Attractions, Every Step a Scenic View
✅1. Stroll Along the Ancient Street
Step onto the bluestone-paved road, flanked by weathered wooden houses and ancient shops built along the river, as if you’ve traveled back to the Ming and Qing dynasties.
✅2. Renchang Sauce Garden
Explore the ancient soy sauce-making techniques. The air is filled with the aroma of sauce, the scent of time itself.
✅3. Shiye Museum
Learn about the ancient Shiye (a government official) culture and feel the profound historical heritage of the ancient town.
✅4. Water Wedding Performance
If you’re lucky enough to catch it, don’t miss the opportunity to watch a traditional water wedding and experience the unique charm of Jiangnan wedding customs.
✅5. Ancient Bridge Scenic Spot
There are many ancient bridges in the town, such as “Wan’an Bridge” and “Ruyi Bridge.” Standing on the bridge, you can overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire ancient town, feeling the tranquility and beauty.
🍽️Anchang on the Tip of Your Tongue
✅Anchang Sausage
With its bright red color and firm texture, it is an authentic delicacy not to be missed.
✅Anchang Printed Cake
As a representative specialty of Anchang Ancient Town, Anchang Printed Cake attracts tourists with its unique taste and exquisite appearance. It comes in two flavors: sesame filling and bean paste filling. The outside is made of rice cake with a moderate taste. It is recommended to eat while hot.
✅Yellow Wine Milk Tea
Perfectly combining traditional yellow wine with modern milk tea, it has a smooth mouthfeel, with both the mellow aroma of yellow wine and the sweetness of milk tea. It is a specialty beverage of Anchang Ancient Town.
✅Fermented Rice Buns
Much softer than ordinary white buns, with a subtle aroma of wine. There are various flavors to choose from, such as rose flavor, dried vegetable and bamboo shoot meat filling, etc.
✅Hand-Pulled Sugar
Watch the craftsman hand-pull sugar on-site. Sweet but not greasy, it is a childhood memory of sweetness.
✅Shaoxing Yellow Wine
How can one not taste yellow wine when visiting Shaoxing? Warm a pot of mellow yellow wine and pair it with local snacks for an even better flavor.
🛌Accommodation Recommendations
- ✅Boutique Homestays: Choose a riverside boutique homestay, such as “Waterside Home” or “Ancient Bridge Inn.” Listen to the flowing water at night and watch the ancient town’s dawn in the morning, experiencing the purest water town life.
- ✅Comfortable Hotels: If you prefer modern comfort, there are chain hotels like Hanting and Home Inn around the ancient town. They offer convenient transportation and well-equipped facilities.
Overall, Anchang Ancient Town is a place full of charm and stories. If you are tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, come here for a walk, a look, and a taste, and feel the tranquility and beauty it offers.
