Shaxi Ancient Town is reputed as a famous historical and cultural town, the second Zhouzhuang in China. It is regaining its former splendor. The humanistic landscapes of one river, two streets, three bridges, eight scenic spots and one island with Jiangnan charm are favored by more and more tourists. Shaxi Ancient Town, with its unique river-shed architectural style and the complete ancient town pattern of ‘one river, two streets, three bridges and one island’, is rated as a famous historical and cultural town and is a typical belt-shaped water town.
Sightseeing guide: One river (refers to the Qipu River with a history of thousands of years that runs through the town area); two streets (refer to the ancient streets on both banks of the old Qipu River that are three li long along the river course); three bridges (refer to the Liji Bridge, Yixing Bridge and An Bridge that span the old Qipu River and connect the ancient streets on both banks); one island (Ganlan Island). Entering Shaxi, one is greeted by the majestic and spectacular archway. There are historical sites everywhere such as ancient streets, alleys, bridges and ancient trees. Famous residences, famous gardens and famous people all have illustrious reputations. At the former residence of Hu Xiaobang, a master of Chinese dance of a generation, the exquisite small white building has been freshly painted. A new exhibition room of his deeds has been opened in the former residence. The Gong’s carved hall, which is regarded as a masterpiece, has been restored to its original appearance. The whole hall is richly decorated with carved beams and painted pillars, with figures and flowers in various shapes and vivid. Leyin Garden, with its name inscribed by a generation of masters of traditional Chinese painting, has rockeries, pavilions, corridors, small lakes and fountains. Standing in the garden on the ‘lotus leaf stepping stones’, it is like being in a picture. Strolling along the three-li ancient street that is as straight as a line and the bridge openings that are unique in the Ming and Qing Dynasties will feast the eyes of foreign tourists. The time-honored shops with antique charm are freshly painted and decorated with lanterns. Small yellow flags are fluttering in the wind. There are dozens of newly opened stores including lantern stores, cricket stores, antique stores, soup dumpling stores, crab shell yellow cake stores and handicraft stores, all selling the characteristic products in the history of Shaxi. The newly restored Ganlan Island in Shaxi is a unique artificial island. Because it is pointed at both ends and bulging in the middle, it is named Ganlan Island. The island is 1,350 meters long from east to west and covers an area of 13,500 square meters. Three ancient bridges of the Ming and Qing Dynasties span between the island and the town. The east end of the island is Zhangjiayuan. Three new bamboo pavilions and a waterside pavilion have been built on the island. More than 10,000 plants including osmanthus, Lei Gong bamboo, Fatsia japonica, Aucuba chinensis, gardenia, rhododendron, camellia and Ophiopogon japonicus have been planted. Stepping onto the small island surrounded by shady trees and green bamboos, one immediately feels refreshed and has a feeling of returning to nature.Opening hours: Open all day throughout the year. The business hours of the four museums in Shaxi Ancient Town are from Monday to Sunday: 08:30 – 16:00.
Preferential policies: Children: Children under 6 years old (inclusive) or those under 1.4 meters (inclusive) in height can enter for free with valid identification documents. Free admission.
The elderly: People aged 70 years old (inclusive) and above can enter for free with valid identification documents. Free admission.
Children, students and the elderly: Minors aged 6 years old (exclusive) to 18 years old (inclusive), full-time undergraduate students and below, and the elderly aged 60 years old (inclusive) to 70 years old (exclusive) can enjoy half-price tickets with valid identification documents.
Half-price Entry for Military Personnel: Active servicemen and retired military officers of the People’s Republic of China can enter for free with valid identification.
