Location & How to Get There

Xixi Agricultural Culture Village sits inside the Xixi National Wetland Park, one of Hangzhou’s most treasured green spaces. To find it, head to 518 Tianmu Road in Yuhang District, Zhejiang Province. The village is tucked within the park’s eastern area, near the Literary Seats Villa (a historic site) and the Green Lotus Pond—perfect for a day trip combining nature and culture.

By public transport: Take Metro Line 3 to Xixi Wetland Station (East Exit), then hop on a park shuttle bus. If driving, park at the Xixi Tourist Center and walk 10 minutes through the lush gardens.

Natural Scenery: A Peaceful Escape

Nestled in the heart of the wetland, Xixi Agricultural Culture Village feels like a step back in time. You’ll wander past rice paddies, lotus-filled ponds, and narrow canals where dragonflies dance. In spring, pink peach blossoms and golden rapeseed flowers paint the fields, while autumn brings misty mornings and ripe rice stalks swaying in the wind. Keep an eye out for herons and egrets diving into the water—the park hosts over 100 bird species!

The best part? It’s quiet. Unlike crowded West Lake, here you can stroll without bumping into tourists. Rent a wooden boat to glide under arched bridges or cycle along dirt paths lined with reeds.

Cultural Highlights: Farm Life, Ancient Style

This isn’t just a pretty landscape—it’s a living museum of rural Chinese life. At Xixi Agricultural Culture Village, you’ll see farmers planting rice by hand, using tools like traditional wooden plows and woven bamboo baskets. Visit the Ancestral Farmhouse, a 200-year-old house with a thatched roof, where guides dress in blue cloth outfits and explain how families lived off the land.

Don’t miss the seasonal festivals: In spring, join a rice-transplanting ceremony (fun for kids!), and during autumn, try your hand at grape picking or tea drying. For a deep dive, book a cooking class where you’ll learn to make nongjia cai (farmer’s dishes) like steamed buns and fermented tofu.

Practical Tips: What to Bring

  • Wear comfy shoes: The village has dirt paths and wooden boardwalks.
  • Bring bug spray: Mosquitoes love the wetlands!
  • Visit early: Opens at 8 AM to avoid midday crowds.
  • Eat local: The Lotus Pavilion Café serves rice dumplings wrapped in lotus leaves and fresh water chestnut soup.

The park is wheelchair friendly, with ramps and flat routes, but bring cash—some stalls don’t take cards.

A Day in Xixi Agricultural Culture Village

Start your day with a boat ride at dawn. As the sun rises, the mist lifts over the paddies, creating a dreamy scene. Next, explore the Farm Tools Exhibit (look for the giant wooden water wheel!) and try grinding soybeans into fresh milk.

At noon, join a picnic workshop where you’ll wrap taro leaves around sticky rice, then eat by the river. After lunch, visit the Silkworm Hut to see how silk is made—kids love feeding the wiggly caterpillars!

End with a walk to the Moon Bridge, a hidden spot perfect for sunset photos. By evening, the village lights up lanterns, and you’ll hear frogs croaking as fireflies blink in the dark.

Xixi Agricultural Culture Village isn’t just a sightseeing stop—it’s a chance to slow down, smell the rice fields, and connect with China’s farming roots. Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or foodie, it’s worth every step (or boat ride!) of the journey.