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Best Food in Xiashi (2026)
Start your food tour at Lao Wang Noodle House on Zhongshan Road, where the hand-pulled beef noodles have been a local staple for over 30 years. A bowl costs about 15 RMBβ¦ π Signature Noodle Shops
Start your food tour at Lao Wang Noodle House on Zhongshan Road, where the hand-pulled beef noodles have been a local staple for over 30 years. A bowl costs about 15 RMB and is served with tender braised beef and a rich, peppery broth. Go before 11:30 AM to avoid the lunch rush, as the shop only seats 20 people.
π₯ Dumpling Delights
For the best dumplings in town, head to Auntie Chen's Dumpling Stall in the East Market, open daily from 6 AM to 2 PM. Her pork and chive dumplings are 8 RMB for eight pieces, and the pan-fried version adds a satisfying crisp. Pair them with a bowl of free pickled vegetables and chili oil on the side.
π’ Street Food Alley
Night Market Alley, off Renmin Street, transforms after sunset into a maze of skewers and sizzling grills. Try the lamb skewers at Xiao Zhang's BBQ, which cost 3 RMB each and are seasoned with cumin and Sichuan pepper. Also sample the stinky tofu from the stall at the alley's north end, a local favorite despite the pungent aroma.
π Home-Style Rice Dishes
For a hearty sit-down meal, visit Family Kitchen on Wenhua Road, which serves classic Xiashi home cooking. The braised pork with preserved vegetables and the eggplant in garlic sauce are both under 25 RMB per plate. The restaurant is open from 11 AM to 9 PM, and reservations are recommended on weekends.
π° Sweet Treats and Bakeries
Satisfy your sweet tooth at Sweet Corner Bakery on Jiefang Street, known for its egg tarts and red bean pastries. An egg tart costs 5 RMB, and the flaky crust is made fresh every morning. For a traditional option, try the osmanthus cake from the Old Town Dessert Shop, which has been operating since the 1980s.
π΅ Tea and Snack Culture
Experience the local tea culture at Qingfeng Teahouse on Riverside Road, where a pot of jasmine tea costs 20 RMB and comes with a small plate of sunflower seeds. The teahouse also serves savory snacks like fried dough sticks and rice rolls until 5 PM. It's a peaceful spot to rest after a day of exploring.
πΊ Evening Beer Gardens
As night falls, join locals at the Riverside Beer Garden, a casual open-air spot along the riverbank. A bottle of local craft beer costs 15 RMB, and you can order grilled fish or spicy crayfish from nearby vendors to share. The garden is busiest from 7 PM to 10 PM, so arrive early for a good table.
π‘ Budget and Etiquette Tips
Most street food items cost between 5 and 20 RMB, while a full meal at a mid-range restaurant rarely exceeds 50 RMB per person. Carry small bills, as many stalls do not accept mobile payments. It's customary to say 'chi le ma' (have you eaten?) as a friendly greeting, and always point with your palm up when ordering.
good list overall, but you're missing the breakfast rice rolls at the corner of Wenhua and the small lane behind the post office. they're not the fancy kind, just plain cheung fun with soy sauce and a bit of fried shallot, 4 RMB a plate, and the old guy there has been doing it since before i was born. it's not on any map, but the queue around 7:30 AM is mostly grandpas and delivery drivers, so you know it's legit.
also, for the night market, skip the stinky tofu if you're not used to it and grab the grilled tofu skin rolls from the stall with the red lantern, third one in from Renmin Street. they stuff it with cilantro and peanuts, 6 RMB, and it's way better than the stuff everyone lines up for. just don't ask for it spicy unless you really mean it, that chili oil they use is no joke.
the osmanthus cake shoutout is spot on, but honestly the Old Town Dessert Shop does a better job with their lotus seed paste mooncakes, which they only sell around mid-autumn. if you're there outside that window, ask for the walnut cake instead, it's less sweet and pairs great with the jasmine tea at Qingfeng.
also, small thing: most stalls do accept WeChat Pay now, but the older ladies at the East Market still prefer cash, so keep some 5 and 10 yuan notes handy. and if you're at Family Kitchen, skip the eggplant and get the twice-cooked pork, it's the real deal, just tell them to go easy on the oil unless you're into that.
Solid list, and I can vouch for the beef noodles at Lao Wang. One thing the guide doesn't mention: they also do a mean cold sesame noodles in summer, same price, and it's the only thing I crave when it hits 35 degrees.
If you're around on a Sunday morning, skip the dumpling stall and walk ten minutes north of the East Market to the small breakfast corner near the old cinema. There's a griddle there that sells jianbing with a crispy fried dough sheet inside, about 6 RMB. It's cash only, and the lady running it usually sells out by 9 AM.
For the beer garden, I'd add that the grilled fish vendor two stalls down from the main entrance does a better spicy version than the one right next to the tables. Ask for it extra numbing, they'll load on the Sichuan pepper. Also, bring your own napkins, the shared roll runs out fast on busy nights.
3 Days in Xiashi: Itinerary 2026
Start your trip in the historic center, where narrow lanes and traditional shops set the tone. Morning visits to the Old Town Hall and the Silk Museum take about three hours combβ¦ πΊοΈ Day 1 Overview
Start your trip in the historic center, where narrow lanes and traditional shops set the tone. Morning visits to the Old Town Hall and the Silk Museum take about three hours combined. After lunch, walk to the Riverside Promenade for a relaxed afternoon, then end with dinner in the lively night market district.
ποΈ Morning: Old Town
Begin at the Old Town Hall (open 9:00 to 17:00, admission 20 yuan), a 19th-century landmark with a clock tower. From there, stroll to the Silk Museum (10:00 to 18:00, 30 yuan) to see looms and historic garments. The two sites are a 10-minute walk apart, so you can easily cover both before lunch.
π Lunch: Local Noodles
For a quick and authentic meal, head to Noodle House Lao Zhang on Zhongshan Road, where a bowl of hand-pulled beef noodles costs 18 yuan. The shop is busy from 11:30 to 13:00, so arrive early to grab a seat. Alternatively, try the dumpling stall at the corner of East Market Street for a lighter bite.
π Afternoon: Riverside
After lunch, walk 15 minutes south to the Riverside Promenade, a paved path along the Xi River. Rent a bike for 10 yuan per hour or simply stroll past the willow trees and old bridges. The area is quiet until 16:00, when local vendors set up stalls selling tea and snacks.
π Evening: Night Market
End your first day at the Xiashi Night Market, which opens at 18:00 and runs until 23:00. Try the grilled squid (15 yuan) and the sweet potato balls (8 yuan) from the stalls near the south entrance. The market is crowded by 19:30, so go early for a more relaxed experience.
π Day 2: Getting Around
On day two, focus on the eastern neighborhoods, which are best reached by bus or taxi. Take bus line 12 from the central station to the East Lake stop, a 25-minute ride that costs 2 yuan. Taxis are also available for about 15 yuan, but traffic can add 10 minutes during peak hours.
ποΈ Morning: East Lake
Spend the morning at East Lake Park, a large green space with walking trails and a boating area. Rent a paddleboat for 30 yuan per hour and explore the lotus-filled coves. The park opens at 8:00 and is least crowded before 10:00, so plan to arrive early.
πΊ Afternoon: Pottery Village
A 10-minute bus ride (line 5) from East Lake brings you to the Pottery Village, where artisans have worked for generations. Visit the workshop at No. 7 Kiln Street to watch a throwing demo, which starts at 14:00 and costs 25 yuan. You can also buy small ceramic souvenirs for 20 to 50 yuan.
π’ Evening: Food Street
For dinner, head to the Food Street on West Market Road, a pedestrian lane packed with stalls and small restaurants. Try the spicy crayfish at Uncle Chen's (58 yuan per plate) or the lamb skewers from the grill at the corner. The street is lively from 18:00 to 22:00, with live music on weekends.
π― Day 3: Temple Area
On your final day, explore the temple district in the north, which is a 30-minute walk from the city center. Start at the White Cloud Temple (open 8:30 to 17:00, free entry), known for its intricate carvings and peaceful courtyards. Nearby, the Confucian Academy offers a glimpse into traditional education, with a small museum fee of 15 yuan.
ποΈ Shopping and Souvenirs
Before leaving, browse the antique shops along Scholar Lane, where you can find old coins and calligraphy brushes. Prices are negotiable, but expect to pay around 50 yuan for a small item. For modern souvenirs, the Central Mall has a crafts section on the third floor with fixed prices.
π Departure Tips
If you need to catch a train, the Xiashi Railway Station is about 20 minutes from the temple area by taxi (20 yuan). Buses 3 and 7 also run to the station, taking 35 minutes and costing 2 yuan. Allow extra time on Sundays, when the station is busier with weekend travelers.
the guide's spot on about the silk museum but honestly the old town hall clock tower is the better view, climb it right at 9am when it opens and you'll have the whole roof to yourself before the crowds hit. for day 2, skip the paddleboat at east lake and instead walk the north shore trail, there's a small teahouse hidden behind the bamboo about halfway where the old ladies serve osmanthus tea for 5 yuan a cup, way more local than the tourist boats. also the food street's good but if u want the real deal, walk two blocks past uncle chen's to the alley behind the pharmacy, there's a guy who sets up a charcoal grill at 6pm and does the best lamb skewers in town, 3 yuan each and he's there til like 11. the confucian academy's worth the 15 yuan just for the courtyard, sit on the stone bench under the big ginkgo tree for a bit, it's dead quiet and feels like time stopped. train station tip, the bus 3 is fine but the taxi's worth it if ur carrying pottery, the drivers know the back roads and get u there in 15 min even on sundays
good guide but day 2's pottery village, dont bother with the official demo, the real magic is the kiln next door, old lady named auntie zhao, she'll let u paint a small cup for like 15 yuan and fires it for u the same day if u come before noon. also east lake, rent the boat but paddle to the far west corner, there's a hidden inlet with a little stone bridge that looks straight out of a painting, most people dont go past the lotus area. for day 3, the white cloud temple is great but theres a tiny noodle shop two streets east, right next to the pharmacy, does a sesame paste noodle for 12 yuan that'll ruin all other noodles for u, open til 2pm only. also if u got time, the night market on day 1, theres a guy selling candied hawthorn skewers near the north exit, 5 yuan, get one while walking the river after, perfect way to end the night
hey this guide is solid but you're missing the morning market at the south gate of the old town, it runs til like 9am and the fried dough sticks there are better than anything you'll get at the noodle house. also for the pottery village, skip the demo if you're short on time and just walk to the back alley behind kiln street, there's a family kiln that lets you try throwing for free if you buy a piece. one thing though, the night market grilled squid is good but the stall two rows in, the one with the red lantern, does a spicy version that's way better, just ask for extra chili. and if you're around on a tuesday, the riverside promenade has a lantern lighting thing at dusk that the guide totally missed, locals only, really pretty.