Nanxun Ancient Town: Silk Money, French Glass and a Canal at Night
Walking Nanxun in Huzhou, Zhejiang: a water town built on silk money, with free streets, five ticketed mansions, 400 m of riverside houses and a lit canal at night.
Zhejiang
Houwan Village: A Ring-Shaped Songyang Hamlet Between Youtian and Songzhuang
Walking Houwan Village in Sandu Township, Songyang, Zhejiang: a ring-shaped mountain hollow split by a stream, red-earth houses, and an old trail linking Youtian and Songzhuang. Free entry, no shops.
Huangtian Village: Every House Looks Down on the Roof Below
Walking Huangtian village in Songyang, Zhejiang: 53 households at 600 m, houses stacked like stairs, hand-made incense and tea terraces below. Free entry, no supermarket or restaurant.
Yanguan: A Walled Town on the Qiantang, Best Walked in the Rain
Walking Yanguan in Haining: entry is CNY 60 for one day, single entry, or CNY 80 with the tide-watch park. Hotel guests register a face and come and go freely.
Shanxiabao: The ‘Perfect Mountain Village’ With Sixty People Left
A walk through Shanxiabao in Wuyi county, Zhejiang: cobbled lanes, indigo money, a hall from 1741, and about sixty residents left. Free entry, mountain roads and what to expect.
Anchang: Shaoxing’s Living Water Town, Under One Very Long Roof
A walk along Anchang ancient town in Shaoxing: 1,747 metres of covered street, seventeen stone bridges, sauce yards and the hometown of the yamen secretaries. Tickets, boats and when to come.
Dongpu: A Rainy Walk Through Shaoxing’s Hidden Rice Wine Town
A rainy first-person walk through Dongpu, Shaoxing’s 1,600-year-old rice wine town: jar walls, working breweries, stone bridges, free entry and metro access.
Puyuan: China’s “Fashion Ancient Town”, Three Times the Size of Wuzhen
A first-person walk through Puyuan Fashion Ancient Town in Tongxiang, Zhejiang – new-built Jiangnan lanes, glass facades, a 900-year-old ginkgo and a night programme, with tickets, transport and tips.