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 water town with a strip shape.
Sightseeing guide: One river (refers to the Qipu River with a history of a thousand years running through the town area); two streets (refer to the ancient streets along the river course on both sides of the old Qipu River, which are three li long); three bridges (refer to the Liji Bridge, Yixing Bridge and An Bridge spanning the old Qipu River and connecting the ancient streets on both sides); one island (Ganlan Island). Entering Shaxi, one is greeted by a majestic and spectacular archway. Ancient streets, alleys, bridges and ancient trees are everywhere with historical sites. Famous residences, famous dwellings, famous gardens and famous people have illustrious reputations. At the former residence of Hu Xiaobang, a master of Chinese dance, 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 great 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 which is as vertical as a line and the bridge openings unique to the Ming and Qing Dynasties can feast the eyes of foreign tourists. The time-honored shops with antique charm have been freshly painted and decorated with lanterns. Small yellow flags are fluttering in the wind. There are dozens of newly opened shops, including lantern shops, cricket shops, antique shops, soup dumpling shops, crab shell yellow cake shops and handicraft shops, 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 bamboo pavilions and a waterside pavilion have been newly built on the island. More than 10,000 plants of osmanthus, Lei Gong bamboo, Fatsia japonica, Aucuba japonica, gardenia, rhododendron, camellia and Ophiopogon japonicus have been planted. Stepping onto the island surrounded by shady trees and green bamboos, one immediately feels refreshed and has a feeling of returning to nature.Opening hours: Open all year round and all day. 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 under 1.4 meters (inclusive) in height can enter for free with valid identity documents. Free of charge.
The elderly: People over 70 years old (inclusive) can enter for free with valid identity documents. Free of charge.
Children, students and the elderly: Minors aged 6 (exclusive) – 18 (inclusive) years old, full-time undergraduates and students below with valid identity documents, and the elderly aged 60 (inclusive) – 70 (exclusive) years old can enjoy half-price tickets.
Discounted Admission for Military Personnel: Active military personnel and retired military officers of the People’s Republic of China are exempt from admission fees with valid identification documents.
Free Admission for Disabled Individuals: Disabled individuals, including severely disabled persons, and one accompanying caregiver are exempt from admission fees with valid identification documents. Free Admission for Journalists: Journalists are exempt from admission fees with valid credentials. Free Admission for Tour Guides: Tour guides are exempt from admission fees with valid credentials. Additional Information: The above free and discounted admissions are only applicable to four attractions within the scenic area: Hongjing’s Past, the Tooth Market, Tang’s Research and Learning Institute, and the Historical and Cultural Museum.
