Top 10
Category · 古镇
Ancient Towns Guides
18 articles about ancient towns — written specifically for first-time international visitors to China.
Top 10
· 19 min read
Kashgar Old Town Guide
The cab driver in Urumqi looked at me like I was slightly unhinged when I told him I was catching the overnight train to Kashgar.
Read article →
Top 10
· 19 min read
Lijiang Old Town Guide
The rain came down in thick, gray sheets, turning the stone-paved lanes of Lijiang Old Town into a mirror of shuffling umbrellas and neon signs.
Read article →
Top 10
· 19 min read
Nanxun Water Town Zhejiang: The Complete 2026 Guide
The rain came down sideways off the canal, and I watched an old woman in a blue apron pull a basket of greens from a wooden boat tied to her doorstep.
Read article →
Top 10
· 16 min read
Gubei Water Town Beijing: The Complete 2026 Guide
The night I first saw Gubei Water Town, I was standing on a stone bridge watching a wedding photo shoot.
Read article →
Top 10
· 18 min read
Tongli Water Town Suzhou: The Complete 2026 Guide
The rain had just stopped when I stepped off the bus at Tongli's main gate. The air smelled like wet stone and fried fish.
Read article →
Top 10
· 18 min read
Zhenyuan Ancient Town Guizhou: The Complete 2026 Guide
The rain had stopped by the time I reached the top of the stone steps, but the air was still thick with it, that particular smell of wet flagstone and river sil.
Read article →
Top 10
· 15 min read
Xitang Water Town Zhejiang: The Complete 2026 Guide
The rain came down in thin, silver threads the afternoon I first wandered into Xitang. I'd been in China for three years by then.
Read article →
Top 10
· 18 min read
Pingyao Ancient City Walking Guide
Pingyao Ancient City Walking Guide: 2026 guide covers current prices, transport, payment apps, and what foreign visitors need to know.
Read article →
Top 10
· 16 min read
Zhujiajiao Water Town Day Trip Shanghai
Zhujiajiao Water Town Day Trip Shanghai: 2026 guide covers current prices, transport, payment apps, and what foreign visitors need to know.
Read article → Top 10
· 16 min read
Fenghuang Ancient Town Hunan Guide
Fenghuang Ancient Town Hunan Guide: 2026 guide covers current prices, transport, payment apps, and what foreign visitors need to know.
Read article →
Travel Guide
· 18 min read
Lijiang Old Town Complete Guide
Lijiang Old Town Complete Guide: 2026 guide covers current prices, transport, payment apps, and what foreign visitors need to know.
Read article → Top 10
· 18 min read
Wuzhen Water Town Day Trip Guide
Wuzhen Water Town Day Trip Guide: 2026 guide covers current prices, transport, payment apps, and what foreign visitors need to know.
Read article →
Top 10
· 18 min read
Best Photo Spots in Lijiang Old Town
Best Photo Spots in Lijiang Old Town: 2026 guide covers current prices, transport, payment apps, and what foreign visitors need to know.
Read article → Top 10
· 22 min read
Pingyao Ancient City Guide
Pingyao Ancient City Guide: 2026 guide covers current prices, transport, payment apps, and what foreign visitors need to know.
Read article →
Travel Guide
· 18 min read
Wuzhen Water Town Guide
Wuzhen Water Town Guide: 2026 guide covers current prices, transport, payment apps, and what foreign visitors need to know.
Read article →
Top 10
· 6 min read
Pingyao Ancient City Complete Guide 2026
Pingyao Ancient City Complete Guide: 2026 guide covers current prices, transport, payment apps, and what foreign visitors need to know.
Read article → Top 10
· 10 min read
Top 10 Ancient Towns in China
Explore the 10 most enchanting ancient water towns in China, from Zhouzhuang to Lijiang. Practical tips, ticket prices, and insider advice for foreign travelers.
Read article →