Shanghai 1h Drive: Where Chinese Aesthetics Meets European Elegance

Here I am visiting Taicang for another weekend!
This hidden gem of a city has endless treasures to discover.
Beyond the well-known 72 Ideal Village and Liuhe Review Platform,
there are so many fun and photogenic spots to explore.

I've put together a two-day self-driving itinerary 🚗
If you don't want to travel too far during the May Day holiday, come here for a spring outing!

D1 Shaxi Ancient Town ⇢ Nanyuan Garden ⇢ Rothenburg Themed Street
D2 72 Ideal Village

🏘️ Shaxi Ancient Town
A Jiangnan water town with over 1,300 years of history, with minimal commercialization. It still preserves ancient waterfront houses and streets from the Ming and Qing dynasties, filled with authentic local atmosphere everywhere.

🍃 Nanyuan Garden
My most surprising discovery this time! A 600-year-old Suzhou classical garden full of Jiangnan water town features - zigzag bridges, stone arch bridges, and trailing white wisteria... Every step reveals a new view, and with few tourists, it's a truly pleasant experience.

🏛️ Rothenburg Themed Street
A 1:1 replica of German-style architecture where you can also taste German cuisine. It feels like instantly teleporting to Europe. The buildings look especially stunning for photos when lit up in the evening.

🏡 72 Ideal Village
Rainbow walkways, riverside lighthouse, windmills in wheat fields, and colorful little trains... Every time I visit, I think: "This really is the ideal vacation life!" Plus, the scenery changes every month.

🏨 Accommodation
I recommend staying within 72 Ideal Village. I stayed at Tree Frog Tribe.
The next morning, you can take photos before other tourists arrive.

🥢 Dining
There are plenty of restaurant options in Rothenburg Themed Street.
Shaxi Ancient Town has many specialty snacks.