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Best Food in Jiaxing (2026)
Begin your food journey at the iconic Jiaxing Zongzi (rice dumpling) shops along Zhongshan Road. The most famous is Wufangzhai at 168 Zhongshan East Road, where a single zongzi cβ¦ π Where to Start
Begin your food journey at the iconic Jiaxing Zongzi (rice dumpling) shops along Zhongshan Road. The most famous is Wufangzhai at 168 Zhongshan East Road, where a single zongzi costs around 8-15 CNY. These glutinous rice parcels stuffed with pork or red bean paste are the city's signature dish.
π₯ Must-Try Street Food
Head to Yuehe Historical Street for shengjianbao (pan-fried pork buns) at the stall near the south gate, priced at 1.5 CNY each. Also try the crispy youtiao (fried dough sticks) from the morning vendors on Jianguo Road, often sold in pairs for 3 CNY. These are best enjoyed fresh off the fryer.
π² Local Restaurant Gems
For a sit-down meal, visit Lao Jiaxing Restaurant at 55 Huancheng South Road, open 11:00-21:00. Their braised pork belly with bamboo shoots costs 48 CNY and is a local favorite. Another option is Nanhu Restaurant at 188 Nanhu Road, known for its West Lake vinegar fish at 68 CNY.
π΅ Tea and Snacks
Jiaxing's tea culture shines at the Nanhu Tea House on Nanhu Road, where a pot of local green tea costs 25 CNY. Pair it with a plate of osmanthus cakes from the adjacent bakery for 12 CNY. The tea house opens daily from 09:00 to 22:00.
π’ Night Market Eats
The night market on Yuehe Street comes alive after 18:00, offering grilled squid skewers for 10 CNY and stinky tofu for 8 CNY. Don't miss the candied hawthorn sticks from a vendor near the archway, priced at 5 CNY each. Arrive early to avoid the longest queues.
π° Budget Tips
Most street food items cost between 3 and 15 CNY, while a filling meal at a local restaurant averages 30-50 CNY per person. Avoid tourist-heavy spots near the train station for better prices. Carry small bills as many stalls do not accept mobile payments.
π Getting Around for Food
Bus routes 1, 2, and 9 connect the main food districts, with a flat fare of 2 CNY. Taxis start at 8 CNY and are convenient for reaching outlying restaurants. The Yuehe Historical Street area is pedestrian-friendly, so plan to walk between stalls.
π° Sweet Endings
End your culinary tour with a bowl of red bean soup at the dessert shop on 72 Zhongshan West Road, costing 10 CNY. For a modern twist, try the matcha soft serve at Sweet Lab near the South Lake, priced at 18 CNY. Both are open until 21:00.
Good to see a guide that gets the basics right. One thing I'd add is the sesame paste noodles at a stall tucked behind the Jiaxing Museum, about a five-minute walk from Nanhu. They only do lunch service from 11:30 to 13:30, 10 yuan a bowl, and the owner makes the noodles fresh each morning. The sauce is nutty with a hint of Sichuan pepper, pretty unique for Jiaxing.
Also, the guide mentions the tea house but skip their osmanthus cakes. There's a bakery two doors down called Mei Xiang that does better ones for 8 yuan, less sugary and more floral. They also sell these little walnut cookies that go great with the green tea.
If you're around on a Sunday morning, the small farmers market on Jiefang Road has a vendor selling fresh soy milk for 2 yuan a cup. It's thick and slightly smoky, nothing like the stuff in cartons. Bring your own cup or they charge an extra yuan for a paper one.
the guide is solid but it misses the best xiaolongbao in town imo. there's a tiny place on jiefang road called xiang ji, no english sign, just a red banner. their soup dumplings are 12 yuan for 8 and the broth is way more flavorful than the tourist spots on yuehe street. get there before 10am or they sell out
also worth mentioning the shaomai from a cart near the east gate of nanhu park around dusk. old lady sells them for 6 yuan a dozen, pork and shrimp mix. she's been there for years and they're way better than any restaurant version i've tried
for a drink to cut through all the grease, try the sour plum soup at the shop across from wufangzhai on zhongshan road. it's 5 yuan a cup and homemade, not the powdered stuff. way better than the bottled ones you see everywhere
this guide's solid but they left out the cold noodle scene in summer. there's a little shop on jiefang road near the wenchang bridge, opens around 11am, does suzhou-style cold noodles with sesame sauce and shredded chicken for 15 yuan. perfect on a hot day and they make their own chili oil which is legit spicy
also the braised pork belly at lao jiaxing is good but i'd skip the nanhu restaurant for the vinegar fish. it's fine but the real deal is the fish head hot pot at a place called lao tang on huancheng north road, 78 yuan for a pot big enough for two. they use local nanhu fish and the broth gets better the longer you let it simmer
the night market guide is right about the queues but if you go around 7pm on a weekday you'll walk right up to most stalls. weekends are a mess after 8, especially near the grilled squid spot
3 Days in Jiaxing: Itinerary 2026
Begin your trip at the South Lake (Nanhu) area, the historic and scenic heart of Jiaxing. The lake is a 15-minute taxi ride from Jiaxing South Railway Station, which connects toβ¦ πΊοΈ Where to Start
Begin your trip at the South Lake (Nanhu) area, the historic and scenic heart of Jiaxing. The lake is a 15-minute taxi ride from Jiaxing South Railway Station, which connects to Shanghai in about 30 minutes via high-speed train. Start early to enjoy the morning light on the lake before the crowds arrive.
ποΈ Day 1: South Lake & Old Town
Spend the morning walking the South Lake promenade and visiting the Nanhu Revolutionary Memorial Hall (free entry, 9:00-17:00). After lunch at a local restaurant near the lake, head to the Yuehe Historical Street (Yuehe Street, free) for traditional architecture and canal views. End the day with a riverside dinner at a restaurant like Wuyue Square (opens until 21:00).
β΅ Day 2: Xitang Water Town
Take a 40-minute bus or taxi (about 60 RMB) from Jiaxing city center to Xitang Water Town, a classic canal destination. Arrive by 9:00 to explore the alleys and bridges before peak crowds. Entry is 95 RMB (2025 price, likely similar in 2026), and include boat rides for an extra 30 RMB. Return to Jiaxing by 17:00 for dinner.
πΏ Day 3: Nature & Local Life
Visit the Xiuzhou Park (free, 6:00-18:00) in the morning for a peaceful stroll among pavilions and ponds. Then take a short taxi (15 minutes) to the Jiaxing Museum (free, 9:00-16:30, closed Mondays) to learn about local silk and canal history. In the afternoon, explore the bustling Huating Street market for snacks and souvenirs.
π Getting Around
Jiaxing has a reliable bus network with fares around 2 RMB, but taxis and ride-hailing apps like Didi are more convenient for tourists. A typical ride within the city costs 10-30 RMB. The high-speed rail station is 20 minutes from the city center by taxi. For water towns, consider a pre-booked private car for around 200 RMB per day.
π Where to Eat
Try local specialties like Jiaxing zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) at Wufangzhai (multiple locations, 5-15 RMB each) and savory stinky tofu from street stalls near Yuehe Street. For a sit-down meal, head to the restaurant cluster at Wuyue Square, where a full dinner costs 80-150 RMB per person. Don't miss the braised pork belly at Lao Jiaxing Restaurant (No. 128 Zhongshan Road).
π° Budget Tips
A 3-day trip in Jiaxing costs roughly 1500-2500 RMB per person including accommodation, meals, and entry fees. Budget hotels near South Lake start at 200 RMB per night. Save money by buying a combo ticket for Xitang (includes boat ride) for 110 RMB instead of separate tickets. Carry cash for small vendors, as cards may not be accepted everywhere.
π Best Evening Spots
After dark, the South Lake area lights up beautifully, perfect for a relaxed evening walk. For nightlife, head to the bars along Yuehe Street, where a beer costs around 20-30 RMB. Alternatively, catch a live music performance at the Jiaxing Grand Theatre (tickets from 80 RMB, shows typically at 19:30).
this guide is really well put together, respect for the detail. one thing i'd mention is the south lake area has a little ferry that goes to the island with the boat house for like 2 RMB, most tourists just walk the shore but the ferry gives you a different angle on the lake and it's basically free
for day 2 in xitang, if you get there early like the guide says, head straight to the north side of the town. most people clog up the main bridge area but the northern alleys have fewer shops and more actual locals hanging laundry and stuff, feels way more real. also the local snack there is these fried tofu balls with pickled radish inside, they're like 2 RMB each and the old lady near the stone lion bridge makes them fresh
the wuyue square night market tip from others is good but the best stall is actually the one with the yellow awning that does the grilled squid with that thick sweet sauce, not the spicy one. it's 12 RMB a stick and the guy has been there for like 15 years, he remembers regulars
The guide is right about the South Lake morning light being worth the early start. I'd add that you should walk to the small island in the middle via the bridge near the memorial hall, most tourists skip it but there's a tiny teahouse there that's been open since the 1920s.
For the Jiaxing Museum on day 3, the silk weaving demonstration only runs at 10:30 and 14:30. I showed up at 11 and missed it, so check the schedule at the front desk first. The museum shop sells decent replicas of old canal maps for about 20 RMB, makes a better souvenir than the mass-produced stuff on Huating Street.
Solid itinerary, covers the main spots without overloading. One thing I'd flag is the Jiaxing zongzi situation, Wufangzhai is the big chain and it's fine, but the fresh ones from the stall on Jianguo Road near the old market are noticeably better, they wrap them in bamboo leaves right there and you can smell them from down the street. They're about 4 RMB each and the pork yolk one is the best.
For the night market tip, the grilled squid guy sets up on the east side of Wuyue Square around 7pm, not behind it. He's got a red cart and a queue forms fast, so go early if you want to avoid a 15 minute wait. The meat skewers there are 10 RMB and he does a spicy cumin version that's way better than the regular one.
The guide's budget estimate is about right, but if you stay at one of the hostels near the South Lake instead of a hotel you can knock it down to around 1000 RMB total. The one on Wenxing Road has dorm beds for 80 RMB a night and is a 5 minute walk to the lake, clean enough and the owner knows all the local food spots.