Dongzha of Wuzhen

Dongzha of Wuzhen

In 2001, the Dongzha protection and development project of Wuzhen was officially completed, and the Dongzha Scenic Area was opened to the public. The first phase of the scenic area covers an area of approximately 0.46 square kilometers, with nearly 60,000 square meters of protected architecture. With its authentic water town charm and profound cultural heritage, it quickly became one of China’s renowned ancient town tourist destinations.

Since its opening, Wuzhen has attracted over two million domestic and international tourists every year, making it the single attraction in Zhejiang Province that receives the highest number of foreign visitors annually. It has successfully hosted numerous party and state leaders as well as distinguished guests. During this period, it was rated as one of the first national AAAA-level scenic spots, and received the “2003 Asia-Pacific Heritage Outstanding Achievement Award” from the United Nations. It has also been listed in the “National Key Tourist Attractions Information Broadcast System” for three consecutive years.

The Dongzha Scenic Area operates on a one-ticket system, with a ticket price of 110 RMB per person, valid for one entry on the day of purchase. The ticket allows access to more than twenty attractions, including the Huiyuan Pawnshop, Fanglu Pavilion, Shadow Puppet Show, Hanlin Mansion, Xiuzhen Taoist Temple, Ancient Theater Stage, Mao Dun’s Former Residence, Yu Liuliang Coin Museum, Woodcarving Museum, Blue Calico Dye Workshop, Gongsheng Distillery, Wuzhen Folk Customs Museum, Jiangnan Hundred Beds Museum, Traditional Workshop Area, Xiangshan Hall, Boxing Boat Performance, and the Twin Bridges of Fengyuan (Tongji Bridge and Renji Bridge).

The Mao Dun’s Former Residence in Wuzhen, Tongxiang City, Zhejiang Province, is the birthplace and the home where the great revolutionary writer and pioneer of the May Fourth New Culture Movement, Mao Dun (original name Shen Yanbing), one of the earliest members of the Chinese Communist Party, spent his childhood and youth. The residence is located at No. 17 Guanqian Street, Wuzhen, Tongxiang City, Zhejiang Province.

The residence was originally built in the mid-19th century as a two-courtyard, four-bay wooden structure facing the street, divided into eastern and western sections, with a total construction area of 444.25 square meters. Around 1885, Mao Dun’s great-grandfather purchased it as a residence. Behind the building lies a garden of about half an acre, where Mao Dun’s great-grandfather built three simple rooms. In the early 1930s, Mao Dun used his manuscript earnings and personally designed the renovation plans to rebuild it into a study with Japanese-style architectural features, covering an area of 104.92 square meters.

Mao Dun lived in this residence for thirteen years, from his birth in 1896 until he left his hometown for school in 1909. In 1983, with approval from the central government, the restoration of Mao Dun’s Former Residence was initiated, and it was refurbished to resemble its appearance during his childhood. In April 1985, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee personally inscribed the plaque “Mao Dun’s Former Residence.” Mr. Qian Juntao donated a bronze bust of Comrade Mao Dun sculpted by Mr. Zhang Chongren. The site was officially unveiled and opened to the public on July 4 of the same year, coinciding with the 89th anniversary of Mao Dun’s birth. In January 1988, it was designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the State Council. The restored Mao Dun’s Former Residence recreates the living environment of his childhood.

The woodcarvings in the museum feature rich themes, including folk tales such as “The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea” and “Guo Ziyi’s Birthday Celebration,” daily life scenes like fishing, cricket fighting, and drumming, as well as traditional patterns such as dragons and phoenixes, and the “Four Gentlemen” (plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum), all filled with the flavors of Jiangnan folk culture. Tour groups visit the Woodcarving Museum daily in an endless stream. Listen to the guides’ explanations, and you’ll gain a deeper understanding of local folklore and carving techniques.

The Jiangnan Woodcarving Exhibition Hall, also known as the “Baihua Hall,” was originally the grand mansion of the Xu family in Dongzha. The architecture itself is a work of art with carved beams and painted rafters. The hall houses many exquisite pieces of Jiangnan woodcarving, among which the most notable is the “Guo Ziyi’s Birthday Celebration Horse-Door Carved Beam,” made from a single piece of camphor wood—it is the treasure of the museum.

The Yu Liuliang Coin Museum is located on Guanqian Street in Dongzha. Though the small blue-tiled house may seem unremarkable, it displays batches of world coins and commemorative coins collected by Mr. Yu Liuliang over 40 years. Even a brief visit will offer you a glimpse into the vast world of numismatics.

Located at the western end of Dongzha in Yinja Alley (now known as Guanqian Street). In the first year of the Xianping era of the Northern Song Dynasty (998 AD), Taoist priest Zhang Dongming built a hermitage here, cultivated himself, and attained enlightenment, eventually founding the “Xiuzhen Taoist Temple.” Since ancient times, the Xiuzhen Taoist Temple has been regarded as one of the “Three Great Taoist Temples of Jiangnan,” alongside Suzhou’s Xuanmiao Temple and Puyuan’s Xiangyun Temple, holding a highly revered status. The current Xiuzhen Taoist Temple is the result of another round of renovations, maintaining the original layout without alterations. The temple is grand in scale and majestic in appearance, consisting of three courtyards: the first being the Mountain Gate, the second the East Peak Hall, and the third the Jade Emperor Pavilion. On both sides are auxiliary halls dedicated to the Ten Kings of Hell, the Plague Marshal, the God of Wealth, and others.

Across from the Xiuzhen Taoist Temple, separated by the central square, is a theater stage. It is an auxiliary structure of the temple, initially built in the 14th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty. After suffering damage, it was renovated in 1919 and has remained preserved to this day, which is why locals refer to it as the Ancient Theater Stage.

The Lizhi Academy is located right next to Mao Dun’s Former Residence. It was once the private school where young Mao Dun studied and has now been converted into the Mao Dun Memorial Hall. The academy displays photographs related to Mao Dun’s life, as well as his works, manuscripts, and personal belongings, allowing visitors to learn about the growth journey of this literary giant.

Address: No. 468-17, Huanhe Road, Wuzhen, Tongxiang City, Jiaxing

Type: Ancient Town/Village

Recommended Visit Duration: 3–4 hours

Phone: 0573-88731088

Opening Hours:

Summer (Daylight Saving): 7:00–18:00; Winter: 7:00–17:30

During May to National Day Golden Week: 7:20–18:00 (Mao Dun’s Former Residence and Lizhi Academy: 8:00–17:30)

After National Day Golden Week to April: 7:20–17:30 (Mao Dun’s Former Residence and Lizhi Academy: 8:00–17:00)

Transportation

Transportation within the scenic area is mainly on foot or by hand-rowed boat; within the town, the main options are pedal tricycles and taxis

Ticket Information

Dongzha Scenic Area: 120 RMB per person; Joint ticket for Dongzha and Xizha: 200 RMB per person

Discounted tickets for seniors over 70 and active military: Dongzha 60 RMB per person; Joint ticket for Dongzha and Xizha: 105 RMB per person

Discounted tickets for university undergraduates and below, and children between 1.2–1.5 meters tall: Dongzha 50 RMB per person; Joint ticket for Dongzha and Xizha: 105 RMB per person

Wuzhen Town: A historic water town in Jiangnan with a rich cultural heritage, famed as a popular tourist destination.

For generations, the people of Wuzhen have lived quietly on this fertile land, crafting a happy life with their diligence and wisdom. Since opening to the public as a renowned tourist town in 2001, the once tranquil streets and alleys have welcomed wave after wave of domestic and international visitors. This Jiangnan town has suddenly risen to fame, gaining renown both at home and abroad. The unprecedented development of the tourism industry has also driven the growth of Wuzhen’s primary and secondary sectors. In recent years, the Wuzhen Town Party Committee and government... Wuzhen Town detailed information++