Anchang Ancient Town

Anchang Ancient Town, in the northwest part of Shaoxing County, Zhejiang Province, is a famous ancient town in Shaoxing. Like Zhouzhuang and Tongli, Anchang is a typical waterlogged town, more serene and picturesque than the others. The Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport is around 30 km (18 mi) away. The town can date back to North Song Dynasty (960-1127), though most residences were built in Ming (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasties (1644-1911). Shaoxing traditional customs are still observed.

The mile long slates paved old street makes this town an important commercial center and markets in history. The street is along the north bank of a river, parallel to residence on the south bank. Different kinds of small traditional workshops are found along the street, in which products are sold. Visitors can see how people cook traditional food on the spot.

There are seventeen stone bridges all presented in different styles. They all have their own stories. The better known bridges  are Fulu Bridge, Wanan Bridge and Ruyi Bridge. Wanan stone arch bridge connects the east and west streets. Brides went across the three bridges to their weddings. Other bridges are all worth seeing.

Ancient Stone Bridge

Specialties in Anchang Town

The six neighbourhood attractions are Suikang Private Bank, Stone Sculpture Museum, Anchang Huangxingbu, Private Consultant Museum (Shiye Museum), China Bank Site and Town’s God Temple.

Shaoxing Private Consultant Museum, near the Xinan Bridge, exhibits the local “Private Consultant Culture”. Most consultants or solicitors came from Shaoxing and especially from Anchang in Qing Dynasty, so their residences are everywhere. Statues in the museum present how the court trial was made in Qing Dynasty and how these consultants’ made their living. 

Suikang Private Bank and China Bank operated there. Suikang Private Bank, operated from 1850 to 1949 there, now keeps an old coins collection and the owner’s calligraphy and painting. The exhibits in the China Bank Site include a big counter, account books, lamps, abacus, wall clock and a telephone are arranged as of old. There is also a vault inside the bank.

In the Sculpture Museum, about 200 pieces of stone sculptures are kept. Anchang Huangxingbu is the earliest cotton industry center in Shaoxing. In the Huangxingbu, twelve Tapestry autographed by emperors, old clothes and old weaving machines are on display. Local wedding customs can also be seen in the museum.

Soy Sauce Brewing, Anchang Ancient Town

 Travel Tips:
Admission Fee: No charge for entering the town. Charges apply when visiting the six main attractions and the combo ticket for all is CNY35. Single tickets are CNY10 for Private Consultant Museum and CNY5 for Custom Museum.

The Shaoxing City bus line 118 takes visitors to Anchang Hotel where the ancient town is within walking distance. The bus fare is around CNY4 and the bus journey takes about one hour.

The best time to visit is January. A festival related to local custom is held in January annually. Featured craft activities such as trussing wooden bucket, spinning cotton, making cloth shoes and so on are shown during the festival. Beating waist carrying drums, performing folk operas, local wedding ceremony on water and other fantastic activities are all common events.

Mornings and nights both are enjoyable in the town, so if time is no consideration, staying overnight is recommended.

Black-awning boat ride is highly recommended at the water town. It is CNY10 to CNY15 for a single trip and CNY20 for a round trip.

Anchang ancient town is a godsend for photographer. 

 Furthur Reading:
Top 10 Water Towns in China