Xinshi Ancient Town (新市古镇), located in Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, boasts a history spanning thousands of years, with an official administrative history of over 1,700 years. Over the centuries, the town’s residents have built their homes along the river and established markets by the bridges, creating a quintessential Jiangnan (south of the Yangtze River) atmosphere. Xinshi was historically a significant commercial hub along the Grand Canal in northern Zhejiang, known for its bustling markets, simple folk customs, and prominent figures.
Notable historical figures associated with Xinshi include Lu Xiujing, a renowned Taoist scholar from the Southern Dynasties, who built a tower here for his studies. In modern times, the town was home to Zhao Zichen, a leading Chinese scholar of Christian theology, and Wang Jialun, a notable writer of youth romance novels, both of whom have left a rich cultural legacy in the town.
The Xihekou Water Street, flanked by ancient buildings along the water, retains the charm of late Qing Dynasty and early Republican-era water town streets. Visitors can admire the elegant stone-framed doorways, exquisite brick-carved residences, distinctive fireproof walls, and stone-built river embankments. Historical records indicate that the ancient town once had 36 lanes and 72 bridges at its peak. Currently, 11 of these bridges remain well-preserved.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Xinshi Ancient Town
- Vlog about Xinshi Ancient Town
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 – 3 hours |
| Ticket Price | 50 RMB for all the attractions |
| Opening Hours | 8.30 – 16.30 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0572-845-0777 |
Location and Transportation
Xinshi Ancient Town is located at No. 34 Ningxia Road, Deqing County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, near Xiazhu Lake National Wetland Park. To get there, you can take a bus from Hangzhou East Bus Station, Hangzhou North Bus Station, or Huzhou Bus Station heading to Xinshi. Buses run regularly, so you can choose a suitable departure time based on your travel plans.
Highlights of Xinshi Ancient Town
Juehai Temple
This ancient temple, dating back over a millennium, is situated in the northern part of Xinshi Ancient Town, Deqing County, Zhejiang Province, near the Beiyinsheng Bridge. Originally established during the Tang Dynasty in 815 AD as the “Xingshan Temple,” it was later renamed Juehai Temple. It was rebuilt by a local resident named Zhong Siran after he purchased the burial ground of Zhu Anqi, a nobleman from the Southern Qi dynasty, and sought permission from the regional governor, Xue Rong, to construct a temple on the site. Over time, the temple was destroyed and rebuilt with significant contributions from the local community. During the Tang Dynasty, a magnificent plaque donated by Tang Yan, a Tang noble, was hung above the mountain gate, boasting a diameter of three feet and grandiose calligraphy.
Ancient Bridges and Streets
Taiping Bridge: This single-arch stone bridge spans the Xiaoxi River and dates back to the Song Dynasty, with reconstruction efforts carried out during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The bridge is adorned with several stone lions on each side and inscribed couplets on the stone pedestals, with a local tradition stating that newlyweds passing over the bridge will have a peaceful and auspicious marriage.
Zhuangyuan Bridge: Located west of Le’an Port in the northern part of the town, this bridge was named after Wu Qian, a Xinshi native who achieved the highest score in the imperial examinations during the Song Dynasty and later became the Left Prime Minister. The name “Zhuangyuan” signifies the achievement of being listed on the imperial examination’s honor roll.
Zhonglou Alley: Stretching 180 meters long and approximately 1.7 meters wide, Zhonglou Alley runs alongside Juehai Temple. With its graceful charm and ancient ambiance, this alley exudes the typical charm of Jiangnan water towns. One end of the alley overlooks the shimmering waters of the Market River and the elegant Beiyinsheng Bridge, while the other end merges seamlessly with the ancient temple, small bridges, flowing water, and deep lanes, creating a picturesque scene.
Silk Flower Temple Fair
Every year during the Qingming Festival, silk farmers gather to pray to the Silk God for healthy silkworms and a bountiful harvest. The festival takes place around Juehai Temple, Sijie Street, Temple Front Alley, Yanzhi Alley, and North Street. Buddhist worshippers visit Lingqian Mountain to pray for a prosperous harvest, while rural women adorn themselves with silkworm cocoons and various silk flowers, attracting crowds of onlookers. This vibrant event, known as “Crushing Silk Flowers,” marks the beginning of spring farming and sericulture activities after the fair concludes.