Wuzhen

Wuzhen

Wuzhen is a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction.

Wuzhen, as one of China’s first top ten historical and cultural towns, one of the top ten charming towns in China, and a nationally renowned environmentally beautiful township, has long been known as “China’s Last Waterfront Town.” In 2003, it was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation in the Asia-Pacific Region by the United Nations; in 2006, it was included on the United Nations’ tentative list for World Cultural Heritage Conservation and the re-established Chinese tentative list for World Cultural Heritage; in 2010, Wuzhen Tourism was honored as the first national AAAAA-level tourist attraction in Jiaxing.

In ancient times, Wuzhen was called Wudun. During the Spring and Autumn Period, this area marked the boundary between the states of Wu and Yue. It began to be called Wuzhen during the Xiantong era of the Tang Dynasty. With a long historical lineage, the ancestors of Wuzhen have lived and thrived here for over six thousand years.

Wuzhen is located at the northern end of Tongxiang City, Zhejiang Province, in the heart of the fertile Hangjiahu Plain. Historically, it was a borderland shared by two provinces (Zhejiang and Jiangsu), three prefectures (Jiaxing, Huzhou, and Suzhou), and seven counties (Tongxiang, Shimen, Xiushui, Wucheng, Guian, Wujiang, and Zhenze). For land transport, the county-level Yaozhen Road runs through the town and connects to provincial road Yanhu Road, national highways 320 and 318, the Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway, the Shenjiahuhu Expressway, and the Zhajiasu Expressway. Wuzhen is 13 kilometers from downtown Tongxiang, 27 kilometers from Jiaxing, 45 kilometers from Huzhou, and 60 kilometers from Wujiang, with distances of 80 kilometers to both Hangzhou and Suzhou, and 140 kilometers to Shanghai. The town covers an area of 79 square kilometers, with a built-up area of 2.5 square kilometers.

Blessed with natural beauty and talent, Wuzhen has produced many notable figures throughout history. These include Liang Zhangming, Crown Prince of the Liang Dynasty who compiled the “Selections of Refined Literature,” Mao Kun, compiler of “Collected Essays of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song,” the Neo-Confucian scholar Zhang Yangyuan, and the writer Mao Dun. ... Today, Wuzhen still retains many features unique to water towns, such as rivers, bridges, riverside architecture, streets, and storefronts. Whether strolling along the East-West Market River in the early morning or evening, you’ll find it hard to leave.

Dongzha preserves a complete water town landscape with a rich local vibe. Its workshops and traditional shops are distinct in character, and there is a wealth of special exhibition halls. Visitors can enjoy the authentic water town scenery while also indulging in shopping and gourmet delights. Compared to Xizha, Dongzha is smaller but more compact, making it ideal for travelers looking to experience the charm of an ancient water town in just a day or two.

After four years of development and with an investment of over one billion yuan, Xizha covers an area of 4.92 square kilometers and consists of twelve islands surrounded by clear waters, truly presenting the essence of a classic Jiangnan water town. The Xizha district preserves numerous Ming and Qing dynasty buildings and old alleys. While the exteriors maintain their traditional charm, the interiors have been selectively upgraded with modern amenities. This not only greatly improves the living conditions of local residents but also offers visitors comfortable accommodation and a full range of leisure and entertainment options. Here, you can deeply immerse yourself in the simple, fresh life of a water town, while also enjoying the comfort and convenience of modern living. In short, Xizha is a tranquil oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and a perfect travel destination that combines sightseeing with vacationing.

Location of Attractions

No. 18 Shifo South Road, Wuzhen, Tongxiang City, Jiaxing

Suggested Duration

1–2 days

Transportation

Located in the northern suburbs of Tongxiang City

Within Wuzhen town, the main modes of transport are pedal tricycles and taxis. Inside the scenic area, transportation mainly consists of walking and hand-rowed boats.

Tickets

Dongzha: 100 RMB, Xizha: 120 RMB, Joint Ticket: 150 RMB. Children under 1.2 meters are free; seniors with valid senior discount certificates (or those aged 70 and above without such a certificate), as well as elementary and middle school students with valid IDs, can enjoy discounted tickets (Dongzha: 60 RMB, Xizha: 80 RMB, Joint Ticket: 105 RMB); children between 1.2 and 1.5 meters can purchase child tickets (Dongzha: 50 RMB, Xizha: 60 RMB, Joint Ticket: 105 RMB).

Opening Hours

Xizha: 9:00–22:00

Opening hours for various attractions within the scenic area: Summer 8:00–17:30, Winter 8:00–17:00. Dongzha: Summer 7:00–18:00, Winter 7:00–17:30.

Wuzhen Town: Wuzhen — a historic Jiangnan water town known for its cultural heritage and tourism.

For generations, the people of Wuzhen have quietly lived on this fertile land, creating happy lives with their diligence and wisdom. Since opening to tourists in 2001, its once quiet streets and alleys have welcomed batches of domestic and international visitors. This Jiangnan town quickly rose to fame and became known across the world. The unprecedented growth of the tourism industry has also driven the development of primary and secondary industries in Wuzhen. In recent years, the Wuzhen Town Party Committee and government... More detailed information about Wuzhen Town++

Further Reading:

· 2020 Top 100 Historical Site-type Scenic Area Brands