Wuzhen Ancient Town

Wuzhen, the most famous water town near Hangzhou, is situated in Tongxiang County of Zhejiang Province, about 1.5 hours ' driving distance from Hangzhou, and 2.5 hours from Shanghai.

It is divided into four scenic sections: Dongzha, Nanzha, Xizha, and Beizha. Nanzha and Beizha are where the locals live, and Dongzha and Xizha are open to tourists.

Dongzha has been largely preserved in its original layout. At the same time, Xizha has been reconstructed to offer a comprehensive sightseeing and leisure experience within a traditional 'water town' scenic spot.

Wuzhen Water Town Facts

• Chinese: Wūzhèn 乌镇
• Area: 79 Square Kilometers
• History: Over 1,300 years
• Opening Hours: 7:00 to 18:00 of Dongzha; 9:00 to 22:00 of Xizha
• Ticket: CNY110 for Dongzha, CNY150 for Xizha, CNY190 for both 
• Recommended Visit Time: 1-2 days
• Location: Tongxiang City, Zhejiang Province

Best Time to Visit Wuzhen Ancient Town

Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Wuzhen. In spring, the ancient town looks dreamy in the rain and fog. The willows turn green, and the flowers bloom beautifully. The white walls and black tiles look great with the flowers. From the Qingming Festival, Wuzhen has lively folk activities, like the silkworm god worship and the silkworm fairy parade.

In autumn, the maple leaves slowly turn red. The golden and red leaves look great with the white walls and black tiles. From late November to early December, the Hangbai chrysanthemums are in full bloom. The flower fields smell nice. You can pick chrysanthemums and enjoy the peace of the countryside. Walking on the stone paths or sitting in a riverside teahouse, you can feel the leisure and quietness of Jiangnan.

Why Visit Wuzhen Ancient Town

Wuzhen, one of the top six ancient water towns south of the Yangtze River, is graced by the world-famous Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal coursing through it. The town is known for its murmuring rivers, with quaint small boats decked with black awnings floating gently on the waters.

You can spot charming stone bridges everywhere, looming above the rivers. The black-bricked and gray-tiled houses present a striking contrast against the white walls, rendering Wuzhen as an exquisite Chinese ink-wash painting.

Wuzhen isn't just another pretty water town; it stands out for its rich history and profound culture. Being the birthplace of many celebrated personalities of Chinese culture, like the literary master Mao Dun and popular poet and writer Mu Xin, Wuzhen prides itself on a unique cultural legacy.

Highlights of Dongzha

Dongzha, or East Gate, keeps its authentic water town style and profound cultural heritage. The highlight of Dongzha is to enjoy all kinds of folk customs and museums. The opening hours of the Dongzha are from 7:00 to 18:00 in summer and from 7:00 to 17:30 in winter.

1. Hundred-Bed Museum

The Hundred-Bed Museum is also called Zhao Hall. It has more than 20 ancient beds from the Ming and Qing Dynasties and modern times. It is the first museum in China that shows ancient Jiangnan beds.

There is a description next to each bed. These beds have a lot of history and meaning. Some beds are for wishing for peace, and some are for hoping to have more children.

2. Hong Yuan Tai Dye House

Hong Yuan Tai Dye House Blue printed cloth of China is world-renowned for its beauty, delicacy, and good quality. Wuzhen is one of the original places where it was manufactured, and Hong Yuan Tai Dye House enjoys a good reputation for its blue-printed cloth.

The process of making blueprint cloth is complex but interesting. Observing it reminds you of the intricacy of craftsmanship in ancient China.

3. Folk Customs Museum

The Folk Museum used to be the old house of the rich Jin family in Dongzha. It shows the customs of birthdays, weddings, and festivals in Wuzhen from the late Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China with wax figures, old things, and photos.

It has 5 halls: Clothing Customs Hall, New Year Customs Hall, Festival Customs Hall, Wedding Customs Hall, and Birthday Customs Hall.

4. Enjoy Shadow Play

Shadow play is a traditional art form accompanied by traditional Chinese musical instruments, such as the flute, gong, and erhu. It is famous for its lingering music, exquisite sculpture, bright colors, and lively performances.

Show times: 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:50

5. Watch Martial Arts Performances

Martial arts are performed on boxing boats, which always moor on the bank. Actors in kungfu suits battle with sabers, swords, and other traditional weapons, fighting each other, to the sound of clamoring drums.

Show times: 8:30-8:40, 9:30-9:40, 10:30-10:40, 11:10-11:20, 13:30-13:40, 14:30-14:40 , 15:30-15:40, 16:10-16:20

6. Former Residence of Mao Dun

Mao Dun, a great and respected writer in modern China, is best known for his long novel Midnight. His former home, a traditional Chinese-style house built during the Qing dynasty (1644-1912), is located in the middle part of Guan Qian Street, where he lived his happy childhood.

7. Fengyuan Bridge

This bridge is a unique twin bridge built during the Qing Dynasty. It’s said that when one passes by this bridge, the person should walk one-half of it first, before walking the other half.

In this way, he will have “fengyuan both on the left and the right”, which means he will be successful in his career.

Highlights of Xizha

Xizha, also known as West Gate, excellently preserves Ming and Qing dynasty buildings and old streets and alleys. Despite maintaining their traditional exterior charm, interiors are selectively modernized, offering a wonderful experience of an overnight stay. The opening hours of the Xizha are from 9:00 to 22:00.

1. Visit the Chinese Foot Binding Culture Museum

Women's feet were called "three-inch golden lotuses" in ancient China. Young girls were forced to bind their feet with cloth to make the feet smaller, which was regarded as more beautiful.

This Museum displays a collection of hundreds of pairs of intricately embroidered miniature shoes and tools used for foot-binding.

It also has lots of pictures and texts explaining the history and significance of this practice. You have the opportunity to learn about this part of Chinese cultural history.

2. The Moon Old Man Temple

In front of the Temple, many red plaques hang on the walls and trees. Single people can go inside to draw lots to see their love fortune. Couples can also carve words on the ancient trees to leave their wishes, which means they will be together for a long time.

3. Wuzhen Post Office

The Wuzhen Post Office was set up in the Qing Dynasty during the Guangxu years. It still uses the old ways to deliver letters. The building is made of bricks and tiles, and the door is in a Western style. Inside the post office, there are postcards for sale. You can sit down and write a postcard, then put it in the mailbox to send it. The person who receives the postcard will surely feel the care and friendship inside.

4. Herbal Dyeing Workshop

The Herbal Dyeing Workshop is a big handicraft dyeing place in Wuzhen. The floor is paved with blue bricks. Many tall poles and step-like cloth-drying racks are standing there. On them, there are red, yellow, blue, and other colorful clothes hanging. They look very beautiful and make you feel fresh.

5. The Bailian Pagoda

The Bailian Pagoda was built in the Northern Song Dynasty. It is the tallest building in Wuzhen, with seven floors. It is made of bricks and wood, and its shape is like a shuttle. When you climb to the top of the pagoda, you can see the Grand Canal. There are lots of duckweeds on the water, and sand-carrying boats are moving back and forth. Looking from the other side, you can see the small bridges and flowing water in Wuzhen.

6. Enjoy Night Scene

The night scene is Xizha’s special attraction for tourists. At night, the lights in the houses along both sides of the river are lit, which makes Xizha a dreamlike world.

With clusters of light dots reflecting on the waving water, you can enjoy the leisure, as well as the noise or quietness of the dreamland, by taking a short single-oar ferry on the river.

Which to go, Dongzha or Xizha?

The quaint Dongzha offers rich cultural experiences, distinct workshops, traditional shops, and various exhibits. It's good for you to take a half-day or 1-day tour from Hangzhou or Shanghai.

If you prefer to explore this area longer, spending one night in Xizha is suitable. Xizha is more spacious than Dongzha, making it an ideal sightseeing and vacation destination.  

If you have 2 days, it's recommended for you to visit both Dongzha and Xizha. To visit Dongzha first, and then go to Xizha for one one-night stay and sightseeing.

How to Get to Wuzhen Water Town

Located in the north of Tongxiang City, Zhejiang Province, Wuzhen is about 140 kilometers from Shanghai and 80 kilometers from both downtown Hangzhou and Suzhou. Given its accessibility from these three places, you can easily plan your visit.

From Hangzhou to Wuzhen Water Town

1. From Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to Wuzhen

By Taxi: It takes 85 minutes and costs CNY144.

By Subway: Take Line 19 from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to West Lake Cultural Square. Transfer to Line 3 and get off at Wulin Square Station. Exit from Exit E and walk to Wulinmen Station to take a bus to Wuzhen. It takes 2 hours and costs CNY45. The bus departs at 8:20, 8:30, 8:50, 9:20, 9:50, 10:50, 11:40, 13:20, 14:20, 15:40, 16:20, 17:40, and 18:30.

2. From Hangzhou East Railway Station to Wuzhen

By Taxi: It takes 90 minutes and costs CNY125.

By Bus: Take a bus from the East Square of Hangzhou East Railway Station directly to Wuzhen. It takes 1 hour and 30 minutes and costs CNY45. The bus departs at 10:45, 12:00, 12:45, 13:40, 14:40, 15:20, 16:20, 17:20, and 18:00.

By High-speed Train: Take a high-speed train from Hangzhou East Railway Station to Tongxiang Station. It takes 20 minutes and costs CNY26. Then take Bus K281 or K282 to Wuzhen Bus Station. It takes 1 hour and 30 minutes and costs CNY2.

From Suzhou to Wuzhen Water Town

By Taxi: It takes 95 minutes and costs CNY180.

By Bus: Take a bus from the North Square of Suzhou Railway Station to Wuzhen. It takes 2 hours and costs CNY50. The bus departs at 12:00, 14:15, 16:00, and 17:00.

By High-speed Train: Take a high-speed train from Suzhou Station to Hangzhou East Station, and then transfer to a bus to Wuzhen.

From Shanghai to Wuzhen Water Town

1. From Pudong Airport to Wuzhen

By Taxi: It takes 123 minutes and costs CNY450.

By Bus: Take the airport link line from Shanghai Pudong Airport to Jinghong Road Station. Transfer to Line 15 and get off at Shanghai South Station. Exit from Exit 2 and walk to Shanghai South Long-Distance Bus Station. It takes 1 hour and costs CNY28.

Then take a bus to Wuzhen. It takes 2 hours and costs CNY55. The bus departs at 8:15, 8:28, 8:30, 9:08, 9:17, 14:13, 11:00, 11:33, 11:55, 12:00, 12:43, 13:17, 13:40, 14:00, 15:17, 16:12, 16:36, 16:55, and 17:45.

By High-speed Train: Take the airport link line from Pudong Airport to Terminal 2 of Hongqiao Airport. Exit from South Exit 1 and walk to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station. Take a high-speed train to Hangzhou East Station, and then transfer to a bus to Wuzhen.

2. From Hongqiao Airport to Wuzhen

By Taxi: It takes 90 minutes and costs CNY314.

By Bus: Take Line 10 from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Hongqiao Road Station. Transfer to Line 3 and get off at Shanghai South Station. It takes 40 minutes and costs CNY4. Then take a bus from Shanghai South Long-Distance Bus Station to Wuzhen.

By High-Speed Train: Take Line 10 from Hongqiao Airport to Hongqiao Station. It takes 7 minutes and costs CNY3. Take a high-speed train to Hangzhou East Station, and then take a bus to Wuzhen.

Note: You can find more trains to Wuzhen on China Train.

Travel with China Travel (Recommended)

We will arrange a car to pick you up at the train station or airport. After picking you up, we will take you directly to Wuzhen or to your hotel to check in. After you finish sightseeing in Wuzhen, we will take you back to the hotel or wherever you want to go. Our car won't stop in between, so it can save a lot of time. If you need it, please contact us.

Recommended Tour: 1-Day Private Wuzhen Water Town Tour from Shanghai 

How to Plan Your Wuzhen Ancient Town Tour

It will be good for you to combine your Wuzhen tour with your Shanghai or Hangzhou tour. Just contact us about your needs so our experienced travel advisor can help you arrange your unique Wuzhen trip.

Recommended Tour:

• Wuzhen Water Town Day Tour from Hangzhou
• 4-Day Essence of Hangzhou and Wuzhen Tour from Shanghai

Wuzhen Water Town Vs Tongli Water Town

When you visit Wuzhen, you'll see that it's pretty and neat. The houses have white walls and black tiles, and the little bridges and rivers go all around, looking harmonious. The night view in Xizha is like a dream. The bright lights make the whole town look like a moving ink painting. You can walk on the stone paths, look at the old buildings by the river, and enjoy the quiet and elegant atmosphere.

Tongli, on the other hand, focuses more on nature and authenticity. The rivers are wide, and the waterways crisscross. The layout of "little bridges, flowing water, and people's homes" is well-preserved. The architectural style is also fresh and elegant. The best part is the Tuisi Garden. It's the only World Cultural Heritage site in a Jiangnan ancient town. The unique garden art and philosophy are truly amazing.

Also read: the Top water towns close to Hangzhou, which is better for you?

Where to Stay in Wuzhen Water Town

1. Economic Hotels

Economy hotels cater to those who prioritize budget over luxury. These homestay-style inns offer rooms facing either a canal or a street. Note that all economy hotels are managed by the West Area Tourist Office, which means guests cannot contact the hotel owners directly.

Among the recommended hotels, all with river-facing platforms ideal for evening dinners and sightseeing, are Wen Gu Hotel, Fu An Hotel, and Ju Xian Hotel. These are subject to room availability.

2. Star-Rated Hotels

If you prefer a more comfortable environment, consider the star-rated hotels. While these hotels are high-grade, they might not meet all national four- or five-star standards.

Recommended options include Tong An Hotel, the largest hotel in Xizha, featuring various room types and extensive facilities; and Zhaoming Hotel, newly opened and nestled among tranquil surroundings.

3. Boutique Hotels

For those seeking high-quality living, there are three boutique hotels in Xizha: Shinetown, with its distinctive courtyards; Splendid Clubhouse, offering the pinnacle of luxury; and Healtown, which provides affordable pricing. These hotels primarily offer rooms with king-sized beds.

You Might Like to Read

You may get confused about which water town is the best to go to if you are the first time to visit, so we list all the water towns with detailed information for your inspiration:

• Tongli Ancient Town
• Zhujiajiao Water Town
• Zhouzhuang Ancient Town