#JiangsuZhejiangShanghaiWeekendTrip #WhereToGoThisWeekend #JiangnanImpressionsInAncientTowns Weekend Getaway Guide for Jiangsu, Zhejiang & Shanghai｜1-2 Hours by High-Speed Rail/Driving

🌿 Weekend Getaway Guide for Jiangsu, Zhejiang & Shanghai｜1-2 Hours by High-Speed Rail/Driving, Follow This and You Won't Be Disappointed! 🌿

📍 Suzhou Tongli Ancient Town · Slow Life by the Water

🚄 Transportation: High-speed rail from Shanghai/Hangzhou to Suzhou Station, transfer to Metro Line 4 direct (about 1.5 hours total)
🌟 Must-Do:
- Stroll through "Tuisiyuan" (World Cultural Heritage), admire pavilions and towers reflected in the green water
- Capture stunning light and shadow photos of bluestone paths and white walls with black tiles at "Chuanxin Alley" during less crowded evenings
- Take a night tour on a rowboat, listen to the boatwoman softly singing in the Wu dialect (80 RMB/boat, shared rides available)
🍜 Food: Sock-bottom crisp (savory and sweet crispy pastry), Gorgon fruit porridge (fragrant and soft), Three-shredded spring rolls (freshly fried golden)
🏨 Accommodation: Mingtang Youth Hostel (riverside cabin, sleep by the water)

📍 Hangzhou Xixi Wetland · Secret Summer Lotus Charm

🚇 Transportation: Taxi 20 minutes from Hangzhou East Station / Metro Line 3 to Hongyuan Station direct
🌟 Must-Do:
- Early morning rowboat ride through 60 acres of lotus ponds, close-up view of "Nymphaea 'Wanweisha'" bicolor water lilies (69 RMB/person, shared rides, includes cultural gift)
- Night helium balloon tour, high-altitude view of the wetland’s evening lights (120 RMB/person, advance booking required)
- Immersive drama "Xixi·Water Margin," follow actors through pavilions and towers to explore Jianghu stories (198 RMB/person)
🍉 Food: "Weilu Iced Tea" at Xixi·Guomai Bookstore, Lotus Leaf Beggar’s Chicken at Jiangcun Market
💡 Tip: Lotus flowers are in full bloom July-August, enter before 8:30 AM to avoid crowds

📍 Ningbo Dongqian Lake · Poetry and Distance of Cycling and Camping

🚄 Transportation: Shanghai Hongqiao → Ningbo Station (1.5 hours), taxi 30 minutes to Dongqian Lake
🌟 Must-Do:
- Rent a Giant flat-handle road bike (55 RMB/day), cycle 30 km along the lakeside breeze route, check in at Hanling Old Street, Xiaoputuo, and the popular lighthouse
- Set up a tent at the beach campsite at dusk, barbecue + stargazing (tent rental 80 RMB/set, advance booking required)
- Visit Hanling Old Street art galleries, try Youzanzi (freshly fried crispy snack, 15 RMB/bag)
🍲 Food: Dongqian Lake fish head soup, red crab with roe (savory and appetizing)
🚴 Tip: Steep uphill sections, electric-assist bikes available (120 RMB/day)

📍 Shaoxing, Hometown of the Calligraphy Sage · Artistic Moments in the Aroma of Yellow Wine

🚄 Transportation: Hangzhou East Station → Shaoxing North Station (18 minutes), taxi 15 minutes to the scenic area
🌟 Must-Do:
- Write calligraphy with a brush beside Wang Xizhi’s former residence "Ink Pool," experience calligraphy culture (free)
- Ride a black-awning boat sipping yellow wine milk tea, passing through bluestone alleys (60 RMB/boat, seats 3)
- Buy creamy Xiaopan pastries on Cangqiao Straight Street (crispy crust + egg custard filling, 5 RMB each)
🍶 Food: Yellow wine popsicles (6 RMB), braised pork with preserved mustard greens (perfect with rice), fennel beans at Xianheng Hotel
🏨 Accommodation: Shaoxing Hotel (garden-style hotel, 10-minute walk to Lu Xun’s former residence)

📍 Huzhou Nanxun Ancient Town · Jiangnan Secret with East-West Fusion

🚄 Transportation: Shanghai Hongqiao → Huzhou Station (40 minutes), taxi 20 minutes to the ancient town
🌟 Must-Do:
- Watch the dusk reflections of a hundred buildings, take a rowboat through Ming and Qing architecture clusters (100 RMB/boat)
- Visit Jiayetang Library, admire the clever blend of ancient books and gardens (40 RMB admission)
- Night light show, feel the new look of the ancient town in the "Crystal Nanxun" light and shadow display
🍜 Food: Shuangjiaomian (fish and crispy pork double toppings), Dingsheng cake (sweet but not greasy)
💡 Tip: Stone paths in the ancient town are slippery, wear anti-slip shoes

💡 Practical Tips

1. Transportation: Prioritize the "Weekend Unlimited Ride" high-speed rail package (299 RMB/month), electric car rentals available for driving (50 RMB/day)
2. Outfit: Summer sun protection trio (hat + arm sleeves + sunscreen), light-colored cotton-linen dresses recommended for ancient towns
3. Avoid Pitfalls: Buy Xixi Wetland tickets online 1 day in advance, 20% cheaper than on-site
4. Combined Itineraries:
- Artistic Route: Suzhou Tongli + Huzhou Nanxun (2 days)
- Family Route: Hangzhou Xixi Wetland + Shaoxing Calligraphy Sage Hometown (2 days)
- Cycling Route: Ningbo Dongqian Lake + Suzhou Tongli (3 days)

🌞 Don’t just lie around this weekend, follow this guide and set off! 🌸