Shaxi Ancient Town, Taicang

Shaxi Ancient Town, Taicang

Shaxi Ancient Town is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Shaxi Town in Taicang City is located in the central part of Taicang, Jiangsu Province, about 50 kilometers from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport. As a historic water town within Taicang, Shaxi boasts a long history, unique scenery, and abundant local products, earning the reputation of being “the foremost among the eighteen towns of the southeast.”

Shaxi Town originated in the late Yuan Dynasty. By the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty, the town had become increasingly prosperous. High-ranking officials such as Imperial Censor Su Zan’s “Censorate Mansion,” Shanxi Circuit Censor Cao Kui, and Ministry of Justice Assistant Director Ye Yuchun successively built residences here. The streets improved day by day, and the “Eight Scenic Spots of Shaxi” became widely renowned. By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, with the development of industry and commerce, a large number of merchants emerged, creating a need for a hub of cultural exchange and commercial activity. Consequently, riverside buildings along the Qipu River stood out, elegant stone arch bridges spanned the Qipu River, and a number of classical residences such as “Yinxishu She,” “Nanye Zhai Ju,” and “Lianrui Lou” were erected, forming a unique historical and cultural landscape of riverside homes, small bridges over flowing water, and quaint alleys.

The most distinctive feature of Shaxi is its Jiangnan-style water town charm. “Ancient alleys as wide as doorways, ancient streets three li long, single-arch ancient bridges, traditional raised-beam houses, carved patterns in every home, long windows in every household, bridges at the front entrances, and boats moored nearby” together form delicate and elegant genre paintings of the water town. Shaxi has lively local customs and a simple, honest folk culture, with its folk lantern festivals being particularly entertaining. Shaxi has long been a place of strong religious faith, especially at Pujisi Temple, Changshou Temple, and Yanzhen Guan.

Scenic Area Address: Baiyun Road, Shaxi Ancient Town, Taicang City, Suzhou, Jiangsu

Transportation: Take bus routes 204, 205, 206, 212 (night), 401, etc. within Taicang City and get off at Shaxi Station.

Self-driving Route: Take the Yangtze River Expressway to the Taicang exit — follow the 339 Bypass — head west to Dongting Road — go straight north on Dongting Road to reach Shaxi Town; or take the Suhu-Tai Expressway to the Shuangfeng exit, head in the direction of Shuangfeng — take National Highway 204 — Xingang Road — at the intersection of Xingang Road and Dongting Road, head north to Shaxi Town.

Address: 50 meters northeast of the intersection of Zhongshi Street and Changshou South Road, Taicang, Suzhou

Type: Ancient Town

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Visiting Time: 3–4 hours

Phone: 0512-53221815

Opening Hours:

The ancient town is open all day; internal exhibition halls: 8:30–16:30

Ticket Information:

No entrance fee required. Tickets for internal exhibition halls are charged separately.