Anchang is incredibly beautiful, but I honestly don’t recommend going in August because.............

Anchang Ancient Town One-Day Tour Guide (with Price Reference): Travel Back in Time to the Slow Life of a Thousand-Year-Old Water Town In the northwest corner of Shaoxing, Zhejiang, lies a gently preserved ancient town—Anchang. Unlike the bustling Wuzhen or Xitang, it offers an authentic Jiangnan water town atmosphere and a lively local life, making it one of the most worthwhile lesser-known ancient towns to visit in the Yangtze River Delta region. This article provides a practical guide covering transportation, tickets, food, attractions, and more to help you explore Anchang on a budget. 1. Basic Information at a Glance Address: Anchang Town, Keqiao District, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province Opening Hours: Open year-round (ancient town is free; some exhibition halls open 8:00-17:00) Recommended Visit Duration: 1 day Best Season: Suitable all year round; winter features fragrant cured meats and special Lunar New Year customs; summer offers cool rides on black-awning boats. 2. Transportation Guide and Costs 1. How to Get There for Out-of-Town Visitors High-speed train + bus: From Hangzhou, take the high-speed train to Shaoxing North Station (about 18 minutes, second-class seat 12.5 RMB), then transfer to bus No. 805 to Anhua Road Intersection Station, followed by a 10-minute walk to the ancient town entrance. Bus fare is 2 RMB; total travel time about 1 hour. Self-driving: About 1 hour from Hangzhou, 2.5 hours from Shanghai. Parking lots are available near the town; small cars 10 RMB per entry. Taxi: About 25 RMB from Shaoxing North Station to the town, suitable for groups. 2. Transportation Within the Town Walking: The main street is 1.7 km long; strolling along the river is the best way to explore. Black-awning boat: A highlight experience, one-way ticket 30 RMB per person (about 15 minutes), private boat 60 RMB per boat (max 3 people). Recommended route: from Chenghuang Temple Pier to Shiye Hall Pier, enjoying Ming and Qing dynasty architecture along the banks. 3. Tickets and Attraction Prices 1. Free Areas The main street, river channels, stone bridges, and other public areas are free, ideal for budget backpackers. 2. Paid Attraction Combo Ticket For a deeper understanding of Anchang culture, purchase a combo ticket (includes 7 exhibition halls): Full price: 50 RMB per person Discounted price: 25 RMB per person (students, seniors aged 60-70 with ID) Free: Seniors over 70, children under 1.2 meters tall Main exhibition halls: Shiye Hall (must-see): Reveals the culture of Shaoxing’s Qing dynasty secretaries; housed in a renovated Qing dynasty residence; ticket 10 RMB (included in combo). Former Bank of China Site: Republic of China style building, retains old items like abacus and vault; ticket 5 RMB. Stone Carving Hall: Displays Ming and Qing stone carving art, great for photography lovers; ticket 8 RMB. Chenghuang Temple: Built in the Ming dynasty, with thriving incense offerings; ticket 10 RMB. Recommended itinerary: If short on time, visit only Shiye Hall and Stone Carving Hall (included in combo), and enjoy other sights for free along the way. 4. Food Map and Average Spending Anchang is famous for its “cured meats” and “secretary dishes.” The main street is lined with long-established restaurants and snack stalls. You can eat your fill for about 50 RMB per person. 1. Must-Try Snacks Anchang Sausage: 15 RMB each, made from pork with a mix of lean and fat, rich in wine aroma, vacuum-packed for takeaway (about 30 RMB per pack). Pulled White Sugar Candy: A live-made intangible cultural heritage sweet, 10 RMB per serving, sweet but not greasy. Pumpkin Flower: Fried dough snack, 2 RMB each, crispy outside and soft inside. Yellow Wine Popsicle: 5 RMB each, a blend of wine and milk flavors, perfect for summer refreshment. 2. Recommended Restaurants Old Street Restaurant: Average 40 RMB per person, signature dish “Secretary Steamed Three Delicacies” (egg dumplings, pork skin, river shrimp) 35 RMB per serving. Shaoxing Old Chef: Average 60 RMB per person, must-order “Steamed Mandarin Fish” 68 RMB each, tender fish meat. Renchang Sauce Garden: Century-old brand, offers soy sauce for sale (15 RMB per bottle) and sauce-making experiences (reservation required). Money-saving tips: Buy snacks in the middle section of the main street, prices are 20% cheaper than at the entrance; avoid lunch peak hours (11:30-13:00) for tourist groups and choose local neighborhood eateries. 5. In-Depth Experience Recommendations 1. Ride a Black-Awning Boat and Watch Local Opera Every Saturday morning, there is a local opera performance on the town’s river. Watching from a boat (private boat 60 RMB) offers a better view than from the shore. The performance is free. 2. Cured Meat Making Experience In winter, you can book a farmhouse stay to participate in sausage making (about 50 RMB per person, including materials). Finished products can be taken home or steamed on-site. 3. Hanfu Photo Shoot There are Hanfu rental shops on the main street, 50 RMB per set per hour. With stone bridges and lantern backgrounds, it’s perfect for photos. 4. Night Tour of the Ancient Town The town lights up at 18:30. Night tours are free. Recommended route: walk from Qingfeng First Bridge to Fulu Bridge to experience the tranquil water town atmosphere. 6. Accommodation Suggestions and Prices 1. Riverside Inns Budget: Anchang Inn, 150-200 RMB per night, wooden loft, window opens to the river. High-end: Huazhu·Anchang Ancient Town Homestay, 400-600 RMB per night, includes breakfast and black-awning boat shuttle service. 2. City Hotels For better value, stay in Keqiao District (3 km from the town), such as All Seasons Hotel (starting at 250 RMB per night), taxi to the town costs about 10 RMB. Money-saving tip: Book through platforms on non-holidays; some inns offer “stay + black-awning boat” packages with a 20 RMB discount. 7. Sample Itinerary One-Day Tour (Budget 150 RMB per person) 09:00-10:00 Arrive at the town, stroll the main street, try pumpkin flower and yellow wine popsicle. 10:30-12:00 Visit Shiye Hall and Stone Carving Hall, take a black-awning boat ride. 12:30-13:30 Lunch at Old Street Restaurant, order Secretary Steamed Three Delicacies + stir-fried seasonal vegetables. 14:00-15:30 Visit Renchang Sauce Garden, buy soy sauce or sausage. 16:00-17:00 Pray at Chenghuang Temple, take sunset photos along the river. 17:30 Return. Two-Day Tour (Budget 300 RMB per person) Day 1: Same as above, overnight at a riverside inn. Day 2: 09:00 Cured meat making experience, 12:00 taste steamed mandarin fish, 14:00 return. 8. Pitfall Avoidance Guide Be cautious buying “Secretary Wine”: Some shops sell overpriced homemade wine; it’s better to choose old brands like Renchang Sauce Garden. Avoid weekend crowds: Local opera is only on weekends; visit on weekdays if you dislike crowds. Wear comfortable shoes: The town’s stone roads are uneven; high heels can cause sprains. Bring cash: Some snack stalls only accept cash, especially those run by elderly vendors. 9. Summary The charm of Anchang Ancient Town lies in its unspoiled simplicity. With a 50 RMB combo ticket, 30 RMB black-awning boat ride, and 15 RMB sausage, there are no “sky-high snack prices” or hidden fees—only the slow rowing sounds and cured meats hanging under the eaves. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast, history buff, or simply looking to escape city noise, you’ll find your own Jiangnan memory here. Total Budget Reference (excluding major transportation): One-day tour: 150 RMB (including food, boat ticket, small attractions) Two-day tour: 300 RMB (including accommodation, food, and experiences) Take this guide and start your low-cost water town journey!