Huzhou

About Huzhou — A Traveler's Introduction

Huzhou (湖州) is a distinctive destination in Zhejiang Province that offers travelers an authentic window into Chinese culture beyond the well-trodden paths of Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi'an. Huzhou Travel Guide — Taihu Lake's Southern Shore, Bamboo Forests & Ancient Towns Whether you're a history enthusiast tracing ancient dynasties, a food lover seeking authentic regional cuisine, or a nature photographer chasing dramatic landscapes, Huzhou rewards curious travelers with experiences that feel genuinely discovered rather than packaged for mass tourism.

What sets Huzhou apart is its blend of historical depth and living tradition. Unlike China's megacities where ancient heritage sometimes feels preserved behind museum glass, Huzhou's historical sites remain woven into the fabric of daily life — locals still shop at century-old markets, practice tai chi at temple courtyards, and prepare dishes using recipes passed down through generations. The city's relatively low international tourist profile means you'll often have remarkable sites largely to yourself, with opportunities for spontaneous interactions that are increasingly rare in more popular destinations. For the independent traveler willing to venture slightly off the standard itinerary, Huzhou offers some of the most rewarding travel experiences in Zhejiang Province. The city's compact scale, affordable prices, and genuine hospitality make it an ideal destination for culturally curious travelers seeking authentic encounters rather than polished tourist productions. Whether you spend one day or one week here, Huzhou will deepen your understanding of China in ways that more famous destinations often cannot.

1-Day Express Tour

If you only have one day in Huzhou, focus on the absolute highlights. Start your morning early at Anji Bamboo Forest (安吉竹海) — arrive by 8:00 AM to beat the crowds and enjoy the best light for photos. Spend 2–3 hours exploring this premier attraction thoroughly. For lunch, head to one of our recommended local restaurants to sample authentic Zhejiang cuisine. In the afternoon, visit Moganshan (莫干山) for another 2 hours, then wrap up your day at Nanxun Ancient Town (南浔古镇) as the afternoon light creates the best atmosphere. End your evening with a leisurely dinner sampling Huzhou's signature dishes, followed by a stroll through the city center or along the riverfront to soak up the local atmosphere.

2-Day Cultural Deep Dive

With two days, you can truly immerse yourself in Huzhou's culture and history. Day 1: Follow the 1-day express itinerary above to cover the must-see attractions. Day 2: Venture further afield to explore Taihu Lake Tourism Resort (太湖旅游度假区) & Feiying Pagoda (飞英塔), Hubi (Huzhou Brush) Museum (湖笔博物馆). These sites offer a deeper understanding of Huzhou's historical significance and natural beauty. Take your time — the slower pace allows you to notice architectural details, interact with locals, and discover hidden corners that rushed tourists miss. Consider hiring a local guide for the second day to unlock stories and historical context that guidebooks don't cover. End your second day with a visit to a local tea house or night market.

3-Day Complete Exploration

A three-day itinerary gives you the full Huzhou experience at a relaxed pace. Day 1: Cover the downtown attractions: Anji Bamboo Forest (安吉竹海), Moganshan (莫干山), Nanxun Ancient Town (南浔古镇). Day 2: Dedicate to Taihu Lake Tourism Resort (太湖旅游度假区) & Feiying Pagoda (飞英塔), Hubi (Huzhou Brush) Museum (湖笔博物馆) — these sites are best enjoyed without rushing. Pack a picnic lunch or eat at local countryside restaurants near the attractions. Day 3: Explore the remaining attractions at your leisure. Use your final afternoon for souvenir shopping at local markets, revisiting your favorite spots, or simply relaxing at a scenic teahouse. For the adventurous, ask your hotel about off-the-beaten-path attractions or day trips to nearby villages and natural areas that most tourists never see.

How to Get to Huzhou

• 🚄 High-Speed Rail: Huzhou Station. From Hangzhou East: 25 min, ¥27–43. From Nanjing South: 50 min, ¥71–113. From Shanghai Hongqiao: 2h (with transfer). Huzhou is on the Nanjing–Hangzhou HSR line.
• 🚌 Within Huzhou: Buses to Anji (¥15, 1h), Moganshan (¥10, 40 min), Nanxun (¥8, 40 min). City buses ¥2.

🍜 Huzhou Specialties — Local Cuisine Highlights

• Taihu Lake Three Whites (太湖三白): White shrimp, white fish, and whitebait — Taihu Lake's most famous seafood. Best at: ¥48–78/dish.
• Qianzhang Bao (千张包): Tofu skin wrappers with pork and bamboo shoots — Huzhou's signature snack. Best at: ¥15–25.
• Braised Bamboo Shoots (油焖笋): Huzhou/Anji's bamboo forests produce exceptional spring and winter shoots. Best at: ¥22–38.
• Nanxun Braised Trotter (浔蹄): 200-year-old braised pig trotter recipe from Nanxun's silk merchants. Best at: ¥58–88.
• Moganshan Yellow Tea (莫干黄芽): Moganshan's famous yellow tea — one of China's rarest tea types. Best at: ¥30–80/pot.

📍 Recommended Restaurants (with Addresses)

• Taihu Lake Fishing Port (太湖渔人码头) — Lakefront Seafood: A 1km lakefront dining strip with 20+ restaurants serving Taihu Lake specialties. Must-try: 'Taihu Lake Three Whites' (太湖三白) — white shrimp (白虾 ¥68), white fish (白鱼 ¥78), and whitebait (银鱼 ¥48), all incredibly delicate and sweet from Taihu's freshwater. 'Taihu Crab' (太湖蟹, ¥88–168, Sept–Nov, rivaling Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs). Best at lakeside terraces at sunset.
  📍 Address: Taihu Tourism Resort lakeside, Huzhou (湖州市太湖度假区渔人码头) | ☎ N/A (20+ restaurants) | ¥80–200/person | Open 11:00am–9:00pm
• Nanxun Water Town Restaurants (南浔古镇餐厅): Inside Nanxun Ancient Town, 30+ restaurants serve local specialties: 'Nanxun Stinky Tofu' (臭豆腐, ¥10), 'Xun Ti' (浔蹄, ¥58, Nanxun-style braised pig trotter, a 200-year-old recipe), 'Dingsheng Cake' (定胜糕, ¥8), 'Water Shield Soup' (莼菜汤, ¥28, a Huzhou specialty — slippery aquatic plant in clear broth). Canal-side dining in 100-year-old wooden houses.
  📍 Address: Inside Nanxun Ancient Town (南浔古镇景区内) | ☎ N/A | ¥40–80/person | Open 11:00am–8:00pm
• Moganshan Farm-to-Table (莫干山农家菜): Moganshan's 100+ boutique guesthouses and farmhouse restaurants serve organic mountain cuisine: 'Moganshan Free-Range Chicken' (土鸡 ¥128, chicken raised in bamboo forests), 'Braised Bamboo Shoots' (油焖笋 ¥32, from the surrounding forests), 'Mountain Wild Vegetables' (野菜 ¥22), 'Organic Tea' (莫干黄芽 ¥30/pot, Moganshan's famous yellow tea). Best at Naked Retreats or local farmhouses near Moganshan Town.
  📍 Address: Moganshan Town and surrounding villages, Deqing County (德清县莫干山镇及周边) | ☎ N/A | ¥60–150/person | Open 11:00am–8:00pm
• Ding Lianfang (丁莲芳) — Century-Old Huzhou Snack Shop: Founded 1878, Ding Lianfang is Huzhou's most famous snack brand, specializing in 'Qianzhang Bao' (千张包, ¥15–25, tofu skin wrappers filled with minced pork and bamboo shoots, served in clear soup — Huzhou's signature snack) and 'Huzhou Huntun' (湖州大馄饨, ¥12–18, oversized wontons with various fillings). Also serves 'Huzhou Zongzi' (湖州粽, ¥8–15).
  📍 Address: No. 68 Hongqi Road, Wuxing District (湖州市吴兴区红旗路68号) | ☎ 0572-2023899 | ¥20–50/person | Open 7:00am–9:00pm
• Anji Bamboo Shoot Restaurants (安吉竹笋宴): Anji's bamboo forests produce some of China's finest bamboo shoots. Farmhouse restaurants around Anji serve 'All-Bamboo-Shoot Banquets' (全笋宴, ¥80–150/person, 10+ dishes all featuring bamboo shoots): stir-fried spring shoots, braised winter shoots, dried bamboo shoot soup, bamboo shoot dumplings, and bamboo rice (cooked inside a bamboo tube). The bamboo shoot season peaks March–May (spring shoots, most tender).
  📍 Address: Anji County, various farmhouses near the Big Bamboo Sea (安吉县大竹海附近农家乐) | ☎ N/A | ¥60–150/person | Open 11:00am–8:00pm
• Sheraton Huzhou Moon Hotel — Rainbow Bridge Dining (湖州喜来登·彩虹桥餐厅): Huzhou's iconic ring-shaped hotel ('The Doughnut Hotel' designed by Ma Yansong) has a stunning restaurant on the 23rd-floor sky bridge connecting the two towers. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer 270° Taihu Lake views. Cuisine: modern Chinese-European fusion. Signature dishes: 'Taihu Crab Risotto' (太湖蟹烩饭, ¥168), 'Pan-Seared Taihu Whitefish with Champagne Sauce' (香煎太湖白鱼, ¥128), and 'Moon Hotel Chocolate Sphere' (月亮巧克力球, ¥88, a dramatic dessert presented as a dark chocolate sphere melted tableside with warm caramel). The 'Sunset High Tea' (¥198/person, 2:30–5:00pm) is the best value — 12-piece tower with lake views. Dress code: smart casual. Reservations essential (0572-229-9999).
  📍 Address: 585 Taihu Road, Sheraton Huzhou, 23F (湖州市太湖路585号喜来登酒店23楼) | ☎ 0572-229-9999 | ¥198–500/person | Open 11:30am–2:00pm, 2:30–5:00pm (high tea), 5:30–10:00pm

Huzhou offers bamboo forests, historic towns, and lake scenery at excellent value. All prices verified as of 2026.

Anji bamboo shoots at their tenderest (March–May harvest). Moganshan's tea harvest (April) — fresh Moganshan Yellow Tea. Nanxun's gardens bloom. Taihu Lake's weather is mild and pleasant.

Moganshan is the perfect escape — consistently 8–10°C cooler than Shanghai/Hangzhou (no AC needed). Anji Bamboo Forest provides shade and coolness. Taihu Lake swimming. Peak season for Moganshan hotels.

Taihu Lake crab season (Sept–Nov). Moganshan's bamboo forests contrast with red maple trees in November — spectacular hiking season. Nanxun's canals are quieter after summer crowds.

Moganshan gets occasional snow — the 1920s stone villas look like a European winter scene. Anji Bamboo Forest in snow is ethereal. Taihu Lake fishing villages serve hearty winter hotpots. Huzhou hot springs are at their best.

• Best time: Spring (March–May) for bamboo shoots and tea. Summer (June–August) to escape heat at Moganshan. Autumn (Sept–Nov) for crab and hiking.
• Moganshan strategy: 1) Most boutique hotels require advance booking (2–4 weeks for weekends). 2) Naked Retreats is the most famous but many smaller guesthouses offer similar charm at half the price. 3) Weekdays are significantly cheaper and less crowded than weekends.
• Nanxun vs Wuzhen: Nanxun is less touristy and more authentic than Wuzhen. If you want luxury and perfect restoration, go to Wuzhen. If you want authenticity and the unique Chinese-Western architecture, choose Nanxun.
• Anji bamboo strategy: 1) The Bamboo Forest covers 60,000 hectares — the main scenic zone (中国大竹海) is ¥58 but free-entry trails exist from nearby villages. 2) Bamboo rafting on the Wangjiang River (¥120) is a 1-hour float through bamboo tunnels — highly recommended. 3) Anji's white tea (安吉白茶, ¥80–200/50g) is a famous green tea variety — buy from local tea farms rather than tourist shops.
• Taihu Lake sunset: The best sunset viewing is from the Sheraton Huzhou Moon Hotel's ring-shaped sky bridge (free to access lobby, ¥88 for observation deck) or from the Taihu Lake tourist resort's lakeside promenade at Yueliang Square (月亮广场). Arrive by 5:30pm in autumn/winter, 6:30pm in summer.
• Moganshan villa history: Moganshan has 250+ historic stone villas built by Western missionaries and Shanghai elites 1890–1930. The Chiang Kai-shek Villa (蒋介石官邸, ¥20) and Mao Zedong's retreat villa are open to visitors. Many have been converted to boutique hotels (¥500–3,000/night).
• 3-day Huzhou itinerary: Day 1 — Nanxun Ancient Town (stay overnight in a canal guesthouse, ¥300–500). Day 2 — Moganshan Mountain (hike, historic villas, tea tasting at a plantation). Day 3 — Anji Bamboo Forest morning + Taihu Lake sunset + hot springs evening (¥218). Huzhou to Hangzhou is only 20 min by HSR — easy to continue your trip.
• Anji white tea tip: Anji Baicha (安吉白茶) is not actually a white tea despite the name — it's a rare green tea cultivar with pale jade leaves (due to low chlorophyll in early spring). The best harvest is 'Ming Qian' (明前, before Qingming Festival, early April) when leaves have the highest amino acid content (6–9%, double typical green tea), giving it a uniquely sweet, almost umami flavor without bitterness. Buy directly from tea farms in Xilong Township (溪龙乡) for the best price-quality ratio — expect ¥200–500/50g for premium Ming Qian grade.