The ultimate short getaway in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai! A magical place where you can drive a boat right into the hotel—this is what a vacation should be like
Here’s a carefully curated guide just for you!
1. Core Experience: What is “Boat Stay”?
This is not the traditional “Liveaboard” like in Southeast Asia, but refers to:
1. **Self-driving electric boats/rowboats**: You drive a small electric boat provided by the hotel or rented from a nearby dock yourself (very easy to operate, much easier than driving a car).
2. **Waterway direct access to hotel reception**: Navigate through the intricate river networks of the ancient town directly to the hotel’s private dock or waterfront platform.
3. **Stay in waterside rooms**: Open your window to the river, fall asleep to the sound of flowing water, and truly live like a “water town resident.”
This is an extremely immersive Jiangnan water town experience, especially suitable for couples, families with children, and small friend gatherings.
2. Popular Destinations and Recommended Hotels
Mainly concentrated in several classic water towns, here are the best options for the experience:
1. Zhejiang · Wuzhen
Wuzhen is very well managed, with wide and clean waterways, offering the best experience.
* **Recommended Hotel: Wuzhen Di Shang Resort Hotel**
* **Feature**: This is the only official hotel in Wuzhen scenic area that explicitly promotes and offers the “boat into hotel” experience. The hotel itself is like a floating art gallery with a strong design sense. You can drive a boat from the dock near the tourist service center, follow clear directions, enjoy the beautiful scenery of Xizha, and finally dock at the hotel’s grand private waterway dock to check in. **This is the most worry-free and guaranteed choice.**
* **How to book a boat**: Usually through hotel package bookings or by reserving exclusive boat services at the front desk.
* **Alternative experience**: Stay at other waterside inns (such as Tong’an Inn, Zhaoming Book House, etc.). Although you can’t drive the boat directly to your room downstairs, you can rent a boat to tour, dock at a public dock near the inn, and walk a short distance to check in—this is a “roundabout” way to enjoy the experience.
2. Zhejiang · Xitang Ancient Town
Xitang is known as a “living thousand-year-old town,” with a stronger local vibe, narrower waterways, and more fun weaving through the bustling streets.
* **Recommended Hotel: Xitang Muyue Hotel (and similar waterside boutique inns)**
* **Feature**: Xitang has many boutique inns built by the water, many with private small docks. You can rent an electric boat at the main entrance dock of the ancient town (charged by the hour), then the inn owner will send you “waterway coordinates” via WeChat. You navigate like using a water GPS, finally docking the boat right at your “home” door—very fun.
* **How to operate**: Confirm in advance with your preferred inn whether they support “boat access” and get specific navigation instructions. This is the most common way to play in Xitang.
3. Jiangsu · Tongli Ancient Town
Tongli has a dense water network, with classic attractions like Tuisi Garden, offering a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
* **Recommended Hotel: Huajiantang · Lize Girls’ School (or Tongli Lake Resort)**
* **Feature**: Huajiantang is converted from ancient buildings with a strong cultural atmosphere. Although you may not be able to dock the boat directly at the lobby, renting boats within Tongli is convenient, and you can get off at the nearest dock. The second phase of **Tongli Lake Resort** has some waterside villas where you can even board and disembark from the room’s terrace, offering excellent privacy and experience.
* **How to operate**: You also need to communicate with the hotel in advance to confirm the possibility of waterway access.
4. Shanghai · Zhujiajiao
The closest option to downtown Shanghai, suitable for weekend short trips.
* **Recommended Hotel: Zhujiajiao Anlu Hotel / Shanghai Zhujiajiao Jingtin Inn**
* **Feature**: **Anlu Hotel**, a top luxury hotel, has private waterways and docks, offering boat shuttle services that take you directly from the ancient town’s public dock to the hotel, full of ceremony. **Jingtin Inn** is a century-old historic house in the ancient town with riverside rooms and a small dock, allowing you to experience boat access.
* **How to operate**: High-end hotels usually provide paid boat shuttle services that require advance booking.
3. Detailed Guide & Precautions
**Step 1: Booking is key!**
1. **Confirm “boat access” service**: Before booking, **absolutely! absolutely! absolutely!** confirm with the hotel by phone or online customer service:
* Do they support guests driving boats directly to the hotel?
* Where exactly is the hotel’s private dock located?
* If the hotel doesn’t provide boats, where are the nearby rental points? What are the costs?
* Can they help pre-book boats?
2. **Choose packages**: Many hotels offer “stay + boat experience” packages, usually more cost-effective than booking separately.
**Step 2: Transportation and preparation**
1. **How to get to the ancient town**: Driving from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, or Shanghai is the most convenient. Park at the ancient town’s parking lot, then travel light and enter the core area by water, perfectly avoiding the hassle of dragging luggage on cobblestone streets.
2. **Packing tips**:
* Light luggage: The last leg is by water, so too much luggage makes boarding and disembarking inconvenient.
* Sun and mosquito protection: Strong UV on the water and many mosquitoes in summer.
* Spare clothes: To avoid getting wet while playing in the water.
* Waterproof cases for camera/phone: Protect your devices and take plenty of photos.
**Step 3: First-time boat driving experience**
1. **Boat rental fees**: Electric boats are usually priced per boat, seating 4-6 people, typically around **100-200 RMB/hour** (varies by town). The cost per person is very reasonable when shared.
2. **Easy operation**: Electric boats are controlled by a handle for forward, reverse, and steering—easy to learn in a minute, ten times simpler than driving a car. Elderly and children can easily participate.
3. **Safety first**:
* Always wear life jackets, especially children and elderly.
* Do not drive too fast; ancient town waterways have bridges and bends, watch out for other boats.
* Follow instructions from hotel or rental staff.
**Step 4: Upgrade your experience with tips**
* **Afternoon tea on the boat**: Book in advance with the hotel to have afternoon tea or dinner delivered to the boat, enjoying food while cruising—super romantic!
* **Night tour of the ancient town**: When the town lights up at night, reflected in the water, a boat night tour offers a completely different tranquil and dreamy experience.
* **Plan your route**: Don’t drive aimlessly after getting the boat. First cruise the outer waterways to see the whole town, then explore quiet corners in small canals, and finally navigate back to the hotel.
4. Summary and Recommended Itinerary (Example)
**“Wuzhen 2 Days 1 Night Deep Boat Stay Trip”**
* **Day 1**:
* Drive from Shanghai/Hangzhou in the morning, about 1.5 hours to Wuzhen Xizha parking lot.
* Check in at the tourist service center (luggage can be sent to the hotel), and book the hotel’s shuttle boat or rent an electric boat.
* Start self-driving the electric boat, visit the Mu Xin Art Museum, then cruise along the main river, passing through bridge tunnels.
* Follow directions to dock at the **Di Shang Resort Hotel** dock, check in, and experience the stunning “boat into lobby.”
* In the evening, take the boat out again to enjoy the breathtaking night view of Xizha and the blue hour with lights just coming on.
* Have dinner at a riverside restaurant or have the hotel deliver food to your room’s terrace.
* **Day 2**:
* Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel, soaking in the peaceful, empty water town morning.
* Continue boating to explore alleys you missed yesterday or visit Zhaoming Academy, Wuzhen Grand Theater, etc.
* Check out at noon, have the hotel transport your luggage to the exit, then stroll around, buy some local specialties, and return home satisfied.
This unique way of staying will definitely make your Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai water town trip surpass 99% of tourists and become a lifelong unforgettable memory. Have a great trip!