Compared to Zhouzhuang, I prefer the small and free ancient town next door.

If you think Zhouzhuang is too crowded,
Why not take a walk to Jinxi Ancient Town which is not far away?
This is a Jiangnan water town with a history of more than 2,000 years.
It is also known as the "Hometown of Chinese Folk Museums".
There are many scenic spots, cultural landscapes and Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings.
Especially the 36 ancient bridges here, which are rare in the whole Jiangnan area.
-
📍Jinxi Ancient Town
🚙Suitable for self-driving, about 1 hour from Shanghai and about 40 minutes from Suzhou city.
🚝 Take the high-speed rail to Kunshan South Station, take a taxi for about 25 minutes, or take bus No. 133, and take bus No. 130 at Kunshan Bus Station.
🎫The ancient town tour is free, but tickets are required to visit the Lotus Pond Zen Temple, Zhang Sheng Art Museum and various folk museums.
-
✅Jinxi Ancient Bridge
This place is known as "36 bridges and 72 kilns". Each ancient bridge has its own unique shape and history, and is very ornamental. For example, there are Shiyan Bridge, Lihe Bridge, Puqing Bridge, Jieshou Bridge, Hongmu Bridge, Juqing Bridge and so on which were built in the Southern Song Dynasty.
-
✅Folk Museum
There are many folk museums in the ancient town, including the Zisha Museum, the Central Plains Culture Museum, the Brick and Tile Museum, the Antique Museum, the Celebrity Museum, the Zhangsheng Art Museum and so on.
-
✅Lotus Pond Zen Temple
It was first built in the Southern Song Dynasty, facing the lake, and there is a lotus pond in front of the temple. It is very beautiful in summer and also has unique scenery in autumn and winter.

-
✅Chen Fei Water Tomb
In the center of the lake, surrounded by water on all sides, it is said to be the tomb of Concubine Chen, the favorite concubine of the Southern Song Emperor Zhao Gou. Looking from a distance, it has a mysterious and tranquil beauty.
-
✅Wenchang Pavilion
Built by the water, it is also a cultural landmark of the ancient town.
-
⭐️There are many special foods in Jinxi Ancient Town, such as Aozao noodles, socks bottom pastry, Begonia cake, Jinxi dried fish and so on.