There were many famous towns in history in Jiaxing, but some have disappeared, others only keep left a name and the others still exist now and have become famous ancient towns.

Now there are 57 towns in Jiaxing. Twenty-one of them are more than 1,000 years old and most of the others were formed in Yuan Dynasty(1271-1368), Ming Dynasty(1368-1644) or Qing Dynasty(1644-1911).

Most of the towns are beside water, so water endows them with charm such as Wuzhen of Tongxiang City, Xitang of Jiashan County, Yanguan of Haining City, Wuyuan of Haiyan County, Danghu Town of Pinghu City. There are many scenic and historic spots there. For example, Former Residence of Chengelao, Sea God Temple, Former Residence of Wang GuoWei, Qiyuan Park, Qianfo Pavilion, the Mo’s Manor and Baoben Pagoda are famous historic spots in Yanguan, Wuyuan and Danghu Town. The Pushu Pavilion in Wangdian Town is the former residence of ZhuYizun.

I. Wuzhen

Wuzhen is a historic town on the bank of the Grand Canal. There are more than 30 ancient bridges in the town. Most residents live beside water. There are many historic spots: the Stone Memorial Arch of Six Dynasties, ginkgoes of Tang Dynasty, Stage of Xiuzhen Taoist Temple, Former Residence of Mao Dun, etc.

The ancient Dongzha Street is 2 kilometers long. Most residences have built water pavilions beside the river at back of their houses. Every family has a stone pier. There are Xiangshantang Drugstore, Hall of Hundreds of Beds of the South of Yangtze River, Wood Carving Workshop, Distillery, Fangluge Teahouse, and Huiyuan Pawnshop, etc. along the street.

The Former Residence of Mao Dun, a great modern writer, is the most popular to people.

II. Xitang

Xitang is famous for its poetry and flowers.

When LiuYazi set up South Poetry House in the end of Qing Dynasty, 18 poets of Xitang Town joined in it. The major flower there is the azalea. There are 4 categories of azaleas and 145 kinds.

Another nice sight is there are many long corridors. You can’t see such long corridors in other towns. There are 122 lanes in Xitang which are connected with residences. There are many ancient residences: Zhongfutang, Zunwentang, Xuezhai, Fuxiutang, Zhuijintang, Rongxitang, Deshantang, etc.

III. Former Residence of Chengelao in Yanguan of Haining

Yanguan has a history of more than 2100 years old. It was an important town in the history of Haining City. There are many historic spots: Anguo Temple of Tang Dynasty, Sea God Temple, White Marble Stone Memorial Arch, Water Town Gate, Former Residence of Chengelao and Former Residence of Wang Guowei, etc.

Chengelao was a prime minister in feudal China. His former residence was very big. The emperor Qian Long stayed in Anlan Garden of the Chen’s four times, so that it was said that Qian Long was a descendant of the Chen family.

IV. Qiyuan in Wuyuan

The history of Wuyuan Town in Haiyan may date back to Tang Dynasty(717).

Qiyuan occupies an area of more than 14 mu. In it, there are many ancient trees: junipers, Chinese hackberries, Japanese pagoda trees, ginkgos and camphor trees, etc. A pond lies in the middle. To the south of the pond is rockery and to the north of it is Dashi Hill.

Qiyuan has been confirmed as a national key unit of preservation of cultural relics.

V. The Mo’s Manor in Danghu

The scenic spots and historical sites in Danghu Town are: No.1 Bridge in Danghu, Baoben Pagoda and the Mo’s Manor.

The Mo’ s Manor started to be constructed in 1897 (Qing Dynasty) and it took 3 years to finish it.

It occupies an area of 4,850 square meters, including more than 70 houses.

The Manor displays the distinguished features of the late Qing Dynasty architecture, but it is different from other ancient residences. It was decorated luxuriously. In recent years, the Manor became a “natural film studio”, where more than 30 films and TV series or programs have been shot.