Shanghai to Huzhou Road Trip: Best Stops & Driving Guide

The drive from Shanghai to Huzhou covers approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) on the G50 Expressway, a route that slices through the Yangtze River Delta's flat, canal-laced landscape. What sets this drive apart is the sudden transition from megacity sprawl to the ancient water towns of Jiangnan, where stone bridges and whitewashed houses appear as if from a Ming dynasty painting.

One notable fact: the G50 is also known as the Shanghai–Chongqing Expressway, and near Huzhou it skirts the southern edge of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake. This lake, with a surface area of 2,250 square kilometers, heavily influences the region's climate and agriculture.

Is it worth driving Shanghai to Huzhou? Absolutely. While the high-speed train covers the distance in just 1.5 hours, driving offers the freedom to explore hidden gems like Nanxun, a UNESCO-listed water town that many tourists skip. With your own car, you can stop at a moment's notice to photograph the endless mulberry fields or sample local snacks at roadside stalls.

The journey typically takes 2.5 to 3 hours without traffic, but plan for 3.5 with a break. Here’s how to make the most of this compact, culturally rich route.

The G50 is in excellent condition, but be cautious of large trucks and sudden lane changes by other drivers. The flat terrain can cause monotony, increasing the risk of driver fatigue. To counter this, plan to stop every 45-60 minutes. Service areas, such as the Jinze Service Area, are modern and clean, with spacious parking, green spaces, and even children's play areas. Many also have covered picnic areas, making them family-friendly.

For families, the Xitang Service Area (on the Huzhou-bound side) features a small pond with ducks and a mini zip-line playground, a hit with kids. Bathrooms are Western-style and remain immaculate.

If you're traveling with pets, it's good to know that service areas typically have designated pet relief zones, though on a leash is mandatory. Some restaurants may not allow pets indoors, but outdoor tables are usually available. When visiting water towns like Nanxun or Xitang, most sights are walkable with a dog, but keep them away from boat rides to avoid accidents.

For your rest stops, combine refueling with a walk around the service area lake, if available. Many, like the one at Changxing, have a short nature trail—perfect for stretching your legs and re-energizing before the final leg.

The G50 Expressway is a well-maintained, six-lane highway with speed limits of 120 km/h (75 mph) for cars. Toll costs for a standard car are around 50–60 RMB (approx. $7–8 USD), payable by cash or ETC. Fuel prices are regulated: as of 2025, 92-octane gasoline costs about 8.50 RMB per liter. The route's flat terrain ensures excellent fuel efficiency—expect around 6-7 liters per 100 km for a mid-size sedan.

There are multiple service areas: Qingpu, Jinze, and Xitang (the latter two are well-known). These offer fuel, restrooms, fast food chains like KFC and McDonald's, and convenience stores with local snacks.

To optimize fuel costs, consider filling up in Shanghai before you hit the road, as city stations often have promotional prices. On the return, you can wait until you're closer to Shanghai for cheaper fuel.

For a scenic alternative, exit the G50 at the Jinze toll station and take County Road 319 to the lakeside town of Bansheng, then follow the southern shore of Taihu Lake on route S324. This adds about 30 minutes but offers beautiful views of the lake and tea plantations.

As you leave Shanghai, the skyscrapers quickly give way to farmland and water channels. The region is part of the Taihu Lake Plain, known for its fertile soil and intricate irrigation systems. During spring (April-May), you'll see vast fields of rapeseed flowers, a brilliant yellow carpet. In autumn, the landscape turns golden with rice paddies ready for harvest.

Just off the G50 at the Xitang exit lies the town of Xitang, a water town famous for its covered corridors and century-old bridges. While it's not a UNESCO site, it has a charm similar to Wuzhen. More notably, Nanxun, about 20 km south of Huzhou, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-stop for history buffs. Its blend of traditional Chinese architecture and Western-style villas from the late Qing dynasty is unique.

The local commerce thrives on freshwater seafood, particularly Taihu whitebait (silver fish) and hairy crab (in autumn). Along the lakeside, you'll find restaurants serving these delicacies. The area is also a major producer of silk, with mulberry farms dominating the countryside.

For a bite, try 'Qiaozha' (fried dough twist) or 'Huoshao' (a baked stuffed bun) at local bakeries. These make great road snacks.