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Best Food in Huzhou (2026)
Begin your food journey at the iconic Ding Sheng Fang (ๅฎ่ๅ) on Renmin Road, where the famous Huzhou zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) are made fresh daily. Prices range from 5 toโฆ ๐ Where to Start
Begin your food journey at the iconic Ding Sheng Fang (ๅฎ่ๅ) on Renmin Road, where the famous Huzhou zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) are made fresh daily. Prices range from 5 to 15 RMB per dumpling, and the shop opens at 7:00 AM. For a quick bite, grab a pork-filled zongzi wrapped in bamboo leaves.
๐ฅ Local Dumpling Spots
Head to Lao Ma Tou Dumpling House (่็ ๅคด้ฅบๅญ้ฆ) at 88 Jiefang Road for their signature pan-fried pork dumplings, costing 12 RMB for a plate of eight. Another favorite is Zhou Ji Xiaolong (ๅจ่ฎฐๅฐ็ฌผ) on Nanjie Street, serving steaming soup dumplings for 8 RMB per basket. Both are packed by 11:00 AM, so arrive early.
๐ฒ Street Food Neighborhoods
Explore the night market on Yucheng Road (่กฃ่ฃณ่ก) for a variety of street eats like stinky tofu and grilled squid skewers. Most stalls operate from 5:00 PM to midnight, with prices between 5 and 20 RMB. Don't miss the crispy scallion pancakes at the corner stall near the old archway.
๐ Signature Fish Dishes
Huzhou is famous for its Taihu Lake fish, especially the steamed whitebait. Try it at Taihu Lake Restaurant (ๅคชๆน้ฅญๅบ) at 1 Huanhu Road, where a whole fish dish costs around 88 RMB. For a more casual option, visit Yu Xiang Yuan (้ฑผ้ฆๅญ) on Wuxing Road for their spicy fish hotpot starting at 68 RMB per person.
๐ต Tea and Snacks
Sample local Anji white tea paired with traditional pastries at Cha Yuan Tea House (่ถๅญ่ถ้ฆ) at 45 Mogan Road. A tea set costs 38 RMB and includes a small plate of sesame cookies. The tea house opens at 9:00 AM and offers a peaceful break from the busy streets.
๐ฐ Sweet Treats
For dessert, visit the century-old Lao Ding Fang (่ๅฎ่) on North Street for their osmanthus cake, priced at 10 RMB per slice. Another must-try is the sweet red bean soup at Tang Chao Dessert (ๅๆ็ๅ) at 22 Nanjie Street, costing 15 RMB per bowl. Both are best enjoyed warm.
๐ฐ Budget Tips
Most street food meals cost under 30 RMB, while a sit-down dinner at a mid-range restaurant averages 80 to 150 RMB per person. Avoid eating directly at tourist-heavy spots like the Huzhou Old Town; instead, walk two blocks away for better prices and quality. Cash is preferred at smaller stalls, but mobile payments are widely accepted.
๐ถ Getting Around
The best food areas are concentrated in the city center, easily walkable from the Huzhou Railway Station. Take bus line 2 or 7 to Renmin Square, then explore the surrounding streets. Taxis cost around 10 RMB for short trips within the city, and ride-hailing apps like Didi are reliable.
Solid effort on this guide, it covers the essentials well. I'd add that the area around the Huzhou Museum on Renmin Road has a few food carts in the evening that aren't mentioned, mostly run by older couples who've been at it for years. The one on the northeast corner does a great chou doufu (stinky tofu) with a fermented bean sauce that's less aggressive than the stuff at the night market, 6 RMB for a small bowl.
For the tea section, Cha Yuan is fine but I usually go to a smaller place called Bai Ye on the west end of Mogan Road. They do a cold-brewed Anji white tea in summer for 25 RMB that's much more refreshing than the hot version, and the owner will talk your ear off about the different harvests if you're into that. It's a quieter spot too, less of the tourist crowd.
The guide nails the major spots, but one thing I'd add is the breakfast scene around the small alley behind Renmin Road, near the old textile factory. There's a no-name stall that does a fantastic sheng jian bao (pan-fried pork buns) from 6:30 AM until they sell out, usually by 9. They're 1.5 RMB each, with a crispy bottom and a soupy filling that beats any sit-down place I've tried.
For the sweet treats section, I'd also mention the fermented rice soup at a tiny shop on the north end of Yucheng Road, just past the old archway. It's called jiu niang yuan zi, little glutinous rice balls in sweet rice wine broth, and it costs 10 RMB. The owner makes the rice wine herself, and it's a nice lighter alternative to the red bean soup if you've already had a heavy meal.
This is a solid guide. I'd add that the scallion pancakes at the Yucheng Road night market are from a lady who's been there for over a decade, right next to the old archway as mentioned. She also does a great fried tofu skin roll stuffed with minced pork for 8 RMB, which is easier to eat while walking than the soup dumplings.
For the Taihu Lake fish, I actually prefer the version at a smaller place called Shui Xian Ge on Tiaoxi Road. They do the steamed whitebait with a light ginger and scallion sauce for 68 RMB, and the fish tastes noticeably fresher since they source it directly from the lake each morning. The dining room is nothing fancy, just a few tables, but the flavor is cleaner than the bigger tourist spots.
Where to Stay in Huzhou (2026)
Downtown is the city's historic and commercial core, centered around the iconic Feiying Pagoda and the bustling Renmin Square. It offers mid-range to upscale hotels like the Huzโฆ ๐๏ธ Downtown Huzhou
Downtown is the city's historic and commercial core, centered around the iconic Feiying Pagoda and the bustling Renmin Square. It offers mid-range to upscale hotels like the Huzhou International Hotel, with rooms starting around 400 CNY per night. This area suits travelers who want easy access to shopping, dining, and cultural sites, but it can be busy during peak hours.
๐ Taihu Lake Resort Area
The Taihu Lake Resort Area is a scenic lakeside district known for luxury hotels and stunning water views. Properties like the Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort offer rooms from 800 CNY and feature hot springs and private beaches. This area is ideal for couples and families seeking a quiet, upscale retreat away from the city center.
๐ Moganshan Mountain Area
Moganshan, about an hour's drive from Huzhou, is a mountain escape famous for bamboo forests and historic villas. Accommodation ranges from rustic guesthouses at 300 CNY to boutique hotels like the Naked Stables Private Reserve, starting at 1,200 CNY. It's perfect for nature lovers, hikers, and digital nomads who want fresh air and tranquility.
๐๏ธ Wuxing District Old Town
The Wuxing District Old Town features traditional canal-side architecture and narrow alleyways with local eateries. Budget-friendly hostels and family-run inns cost around 150-250 CNY per night, such as the Huzhou Old Town Hostel. This area suits backpackers and culture enthusiasts who want an authentic, walkable neighborhood.
๐ Nanxun Ancient Town
Nanxun Ancient Town, a 30-minute drive south, is a well-preserved water town with charming guesthouses along the canals. Mid-range options like the Nanxun Boutique Hotel average 350 CNY and include breakfast. It's best for history buffs and photographers who want to explore ancient bridges and gardens without the crowds of Zhouzhuang.
๐ผ Huzhou High-Speed Rail Area
The area around Huzhou Railway Station is a developing hub with modern business hotels like the Jinjiang Inn, priced from 250 CNY. It's convenient for transit connections to Shanghai and Hangzhou, with the station just 20 minutes from downtown. This suits digital nomads and business travelers who prioritize easy train access.
๐ฐ Budget Tips for 2026
For budget stays, consider guesthouses in the Wuxing District or hostels near the university, where dorm beds start at 80 CNY. Booking through Chinese platforms like Ctrip or Fliggy often yields discounts, especially for last-minute reservations. Avoid peak Chinese holidays like National Day (October 1-7) when prices double.
๐ Getting Around Huzhou
Huzhou's public bus system covers most neighborhoods with fares of 2 CNY, while taxis start at 8 CNY for the first 3 kilometers. For flexibility, rent a bicycle through the city's shared bike program, with stations near all major hotels. The new metro line (opening 2025) will connect downtown to Taihu Lake by 2026, making travel even easier.
The guide's spot on about Nanxun being less crowded than Zhouzhuang, but it's worth noting that staying overnight in Nanxun itself lets you see the town at its best. Most day-trippers clear out by 5pm, and the canals are beautifully lit after dark with hardly anyone around. I'd suggest the Old Town Inn near the Hundred Rooms Bridge, it's about 280 CNY and the owner makes a solid zha zheng mian for breakfast. Just keep in mind that the old town streets can be uneven and slippery after rain, so pack accordingly.
honestly if you're coming in 2026 the new metro line is gonna be a game changer for getting between downtown and taihu lake. i'd actually recommend staying in the wuxing district old town area for a couple nights then moving to the taihu resort for a night or two. the contrast is really fun and you get both sides of huzhou. just book early because that metro opening is gonna bring more tourists for sure
if you're into photography, the sunrise over taihu lake from the boardwalk near the sheraton is incredible, but nobody mentions the little pavilion about 500 meters south of it. it's way less crowded and you get this perfect shot of the lake with the mountains in the background. also for downtown, skip the tourist restaurants on renmin square and walk two blocks east to the side streets, there's a hole-in-the-wall noodle shop that does a mean huzhou-style dapanji that'll run you like 35 yuan.