source: http://blog.yoyoor.com/

When deciding which water town is the best to visit, I mainly take tow things into consideration: authenticity and crowds. Using these factors, I think that the best water towns are Xitang and Tongli, with Wuzhen in the middle and Nanxun and Zhouzhuang rounding out the bottom of the list.

Zhouzhuang is very close to Suzhou and possibly the most famous water town among domestic tourists. Most group tours to Suzhou include a trip to Zhouzhuang; therefore, even if you go on a weekend, you are bound to be mauled by people. I cross Zhouzhuang from the list first.


Nanxun

Nanxun would be great, but is actually the smallest on the list. In terms of seeing the sites— the old buildings and the main attractions— you can see them in an afternoon. I would only go to Nanxun if I were going somewhere else in the Huzhou area, Moganshan for example.

Then there is Wuzhen. Wuzhen seems to be the “up-and-comer” to takeover Zhouzhuang as the most popular water town. If Zhouzhuang is the mandatory water town for tour groups in Suzhou, then Wuzhen has become the main stop for tour groups en route to Hangzhou. Wuzhen was fun when I went 4 years ago, but by now I am told it has become an amusement park. Also, this particular water town seems to be completely built on the day tripper model, and is almost deserted at night. Fewer crowds at night are one thing, but you don’t want to be in a town with nothing to do at night and everything shut down.


Wuzhen

And then there were 2: Xitang, which is pictured at the beginning of Mission: Impossible III, and Tongli near Suzhou. I have highly enjoyed visiting both of these water towns. They are large enough to spend a full afternoon, night and morning wandering around. Be sure to take a boat ride on the river, wander the back alleys, and even check out some of the “attractions”— the wine-making museum in Xitang was great, and Tongli’s “Sex Museum” is a must-see based on its name alone.

As I mentioned, these two towns are most beautiful at dawn and dusk, so be sure to be wandering about at these times. A sunset boat ride with my parents in Xitang before dinner on the canal is one of my fondest China travel memories.

China's water towns, often referred to as Venice of the east, are famous for their ancient buildings, bridges, canals, and ways of life that have not changed in centuries. They are idyllic destinations to unwind from the hustle and bustle of China's cities and can offer visitors glimpses into China's ancient past.

The water towns are perfect destinations for lovers of photography. The photo opportunities are endless, and by taking a small water taxi, visitors can take a leisurely cruise through these villages getting a different perspective on them. The gardens in the villages, although not as well known as the villages in Suzhou, are of the same style, and no less grand. Because they are not as well known, they are not as crowded either which is a definite benefit.