How to Get from Hangzhou to Xitang by Public Transport (2026)
Quick Answer
The easiest option is a direct coach from Hangzhou Jiubao Coach Center to Xitang — about 1.5 hours, ¥38–45, with 10 daily departures and no transfers. For a faster journey, take a high-speed train from Hangzhou East to Jiashan South (~25–30 min, ¥40–60) plus bus K222 to Xitang (~40–60 min, ¥2).
| Factor | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Easiest (no transfers) | Direct coach Jiubao → Xitang (~1.5 hrs, ¥38–45) ⭐ |
| Fastest | High-speed train to Jiashan South + taxi (~55 min total) |
| Cheapest | Direct coach (~¥38–45) |
| Best For | Visitors seeking an authentic, lively water town |
Xitang (西塘) is a 1,000+ year-old water town in Jiashan County, about 110 km northeast of Hangzhou. It is known for its 2,000-meter covered waterside corridor (烟雨长廊), 104 stone bridges, and narrow ancient lanes — including the 80 cm-wide Shipi Lane. Compared to Wuzhen, Xitang has a more lived-in, less polished feel and a vibrant nightlife along Tangdong Street.
[!IMPORTANT] The nearest high-speed railway station is Jiashan South Station (嘉善南站), about 22 km from Xitang. There is no "Xitang Station" on the high-speed rail network.
Compare Your Options
| Method | Cost | Time | Transfers | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct coach (Recommended) | ¥38–45 | ~1.5 hrs | 0 | Easy ⭐ |
| High-speed train + K222 bus | ~¥42–62 | 1.5–2 hrs | 1 | Easy |
| Train + taxi | ~¥90–130 | ~55 min–1 hr | 1 | Easy |
Option 1 — Direct Coach (Recommended)
Step-by-step
-
Get to Hangzhou Passenger Transport Central Station (杭州客运中心站), also known as Jiubao Coach Center (九堡客运中心). Take Hangzhou Metro Line 1 to Coach Center Station (客运中心站). The coach station is adjacent to the metro station.
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Buy a ticket to Xitang (西塘). Tickets can be purchased at the station counter, self-service machines, or in advance on Trip.com. The bus goes to Xitang Bus Station (西塘汽车站), also known as Jiashan North Bus Station (嘉善北站).
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Board the coach. There are 10 daily departures:
Departure Time 06:55 07:45 09:00 10:05 10:55 11:45 13:10 14:10 15:25 18:15 - Duration: approximately 1.4–1.5 hours
- Fare: ¥38 (standard) or ¥42 (air-conditioned)
- Drop-off: Xitang Bus Station, about a 5-minute walk from the ancient town entrance.
[!NOTE] Schedules may change — verify locally at the coach station or on Trip.com before your trip. The 18:15 departure is convenient if you want to arrive for the evening lanterns.
Other departure points in Hangzhou
- Hangzhou East Railway Highway Bus Station (杭州东站汽车站): 4 daily buses at 08:35, 11:05, 14:05, 16:35 (¥45, ~2 hrs).
- Buses also run from Hangzhou to Jiashan first, then transfer to local bus K215 or K216 to Xitang — but this adds time and is not recommended when direct coaches are available.
Option 2 — High-Speed Train + K222 Bus
Step-by-step
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Get to Hangzhou East Railway Station (杭州东站). Take Metro Line 1, 4, 6, or 19 to Hangzhou East.
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Buy a train ticket to Jiashan South Station (嘉善南站). G-trains take about 25–35 minutes; D-trains about 30–50 minutes. Second class fares range from approximately ¥40–60. Book through Trip.com or 12306. Bring your passport.
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Arrive at Jiashan South Station. Exit and find the bus stop for Bus K222 (K222路).
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Take Bus K222 to Xitang Scenic Area (西塘景区).
- Duration: approximately 40–60 minutes (22.5 km)
- Fare: ¥2
- Schedule: fixed-time departures from approximately 06:30 to 21:40 (every 30–60 minutes; check the posted timetable)
- The bus terminates at Xitang Scenic Area, a 5-minute walk from the old town entrance.
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Alternatively, take a taxi from Jiashan South to Xitang: about 20–30 minutes, ¥50–70. This is faster and worth considering for groups or if the K222 wait is long.
Train details (Hangzhou → Jiashan South)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Main departure | Hangzhou East (杭州东) |
| Arrival | Jiashan South (嘉善南) |
| G-train duration | 25–35 min |
| D-train duration | 30–50 min |
| Second class | ~¥40–60 |
| Frequency | Multiple trains daily |
| Distance | ~110 km |
Option 3 — Train + Taxi (Fastest)
For maximum convenience:
- Take a G-train from Hangzhou East to Jiashan South (25–35 min).
- Take a taxi or DiDi from Jiashan South directly to Xitang Ancient Town (20–30 min, ¥50–70).
Total time: about 55 minutes to 1 hour; total cost: approximately ¥90–130 per person.
How to Get Back
By coach (Xitang → Hangzhou)
- Direct coaches from Xitang Bus Station back to Hangzhou run throughout the day, with the last departure typically around 17:40–18:15.
- The journey takes about 1.5 hours and costs ¥42–62.
- Check the return schedule at Xitang Bus Station when you arrive.
By train + bus (Xitang → Hangzhou)
- Take Bus K222 from Xitang Scenic Area back to Jiashan South Station (~40–60 min, ¥2). The last K222 from Xitang departs around 21:40–22:30 (verify locally).
- Take a high-speed train from Jiashan South back to Hangzhou East (25–35 min). Trains run until approximately 21:00–22:00.
If you miss the last transport
- A taxi or DiDi from Xitang back to Hangzhou costs about ¥300–450.
- Xitang has many charming guesthouses inside the old town. Staying overnight to experience the lantern-lit covered corridors and riverside bars is highly recommended.
[!IMPORTANT] Schedules may change — verify locally. Check return coach and train times when you arrive in Xitang. If taking the train back, note the last K222 departure time from Xitang to Jiashan South.
Chinese Names You May Need
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| Xitang Ancient Town | 西塘古镇 | Xītáng Gǔzhèn |
| Jiashan South Railway Station | 嘉善南站 | Jiāshàn Nán Zhàn |
| Xitang Bus Station | 西塘汽车站 | Xītáng Qìchē Zhàn |
| Hangzhou East Station | 杭州东站 | Hángzhōu Dōng Zhàn |
| Jiubao Coach Center | 九堡客运中心 | Jiǔpù Kèyùn Zhōngxīn |
| Passenger Transport Central Station | 杭州客运中心站 | Hángzhōu Kèyùn Zhōngxīn Zhàn |
| Bus K222 | K222路 | K èrbǎi èrshí'èr lù |
| Covered Corridor | 烟雨长廊 | Yānyǔ Chángláng |
| Shipi Lane | 石皮弄 | Shípí Lòng |
| Tangdong Street | 塘东街 | Tángdōng Jiē |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Looking for a "Xitang Station." There is no high-speed rail station in Xitang. The nearest is Jiashan South (嘉善南), 22 km away. You need a bus or taxi for the last leg.
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Missing the direct coach. The Jiubao coaches run only 10 times per day. If you miss one, the wait can be 1–2 hours. Arrive early or book in advance on Trip.com.
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Waiting too long for K222. The K222 bus runs on a fixed timetable, not continuously. If the next bus is 40+ minutes away, take a taxi (¥50–70) — it is faster and reasonable for 2+ people.
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Confusing Jiashan South with Jiashan Station. Jiashan South (嘉善南) serves high-speed G/D-trains. Jiashan Station (嘉善站) serves regular K-trains and bus K210. Make sure your ticket says Jiashan South.
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Not staying for the evening. Xitang's red lanterns along the covered corridor light up at dusk, and Tangdong Street comes alive with bars and live music. The town has a completely different — and arguably better — atmosphere after dark.
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Wearing unsuitable shoes. The stone-paved lanes and bridges are uneven and can be slippery when wet. Wear flat, non-slip walking shoes.
Tickets & Reservations
- Combined ticket: ¥95 per adult (includes 11 attractions; valid for 2 days)
- Students/seniors (60–69): ¥45
- Children under 1.2 m and seniors over 70: Free
- Online advance purchase: about ¥85 on Trip.com
- Ticket checks run from approximately 08:00 to 17:00. On weekdays after 17:00 and holidays after 21:00, the old town streets may be free to enter (paid attractions are closed).
- Boat rides: approximately ¥30–40 per person.
Still Not Sure How to Get There?
Need help booking Xitang tickets, arranging a guided tour, or combining Hangzhou, Xitang, and Wuzhen in one trip? Our local team can help. Contact us or message us on WhatsApp.
Related Guides
- Hangzhou Travel Guide — full city guide with West Lake and Lingyin Temple
- How to Get from Hangzhou to Wuzhen by Public Transport — another water town day trip
- How to Get from Shanghai to Xitang by Public Transport — if you are coming from Shanghai
- 12306 High-Speed Rail Guide — how to book train tickets in China
Coach schedules are based on ChinaBusGuide, TravelChinaGuide, and eastchinatrip.com (verified August 2026). Train information is based on 12306 and Trip.com. Schedules may change — verify at the coach station or on Trip.com before travel.
Last verified: August 2026
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