I thought Wuzhen was beautiful enough, until I came here.

In today's bustling tourism market, it's not easy to find a place with fewer people where you can immerse yourself in the charm of ancient times. Today, I'm thrilled to recommend such an ancient town—Puyuan Fashion Ancient Town! ### Transportation Guide - **High-Speed Rail**: If you choose to travel by high-speed rail, departing from Hangzhou East to Tongxiang Station is a good option. The journey only takes 17 mins and costs CNY 21.5. After getting off the high-speed rail, there are two ways to get to Puyuan Fashion Ancient Town. First, you can transfer to the You 3 Express Line and get off directly at Puyuan Fashion Ancient Town Station. This method is both economical and allows you to experience the local public transportation. Second, if you have a lot of luggage or want to get to the ancient town faster, you can also choose to take a taxi, which takes about 40 mins and costs around CNY 50. Imagine sitting in the car, enjoying the scenery through the window, and arriving at your destination full of ancient charm in no time. - **Self-Driving**: If you prefer a more flexible way to travel, self-driving is also a great option. It takes about an hour and a half from Hangzhou. On a self-driving trip, you can stop and go as you please, experiencing the local customs and practices along the way, which offers a unique charm. ### Accommodation Guide For tourists visiting on weekdays, the official package ticket is a good choice. The package includes accommodation and entrance tickets, which is quite cost-effective. Staying inside the scenic area has many advantages. You can enter the scenic area multiple times and explore the beauty of the ancient town at any time. Moreover, you can enjoy free shuttle bus transfers, making travel more convenient, and you also have free parking spaces, eliminating parking troubles. However, on weekends and holidays, accommodation prices inside the scenic area will increase. In this case, I personally think it might be more cost-effective to stay outside the scenic area or make a day trip. You can go to nearby hotels to rest after your visit, and perhaps experience a different local accommodation atmosphere. ### Attractions 1. **North Watchtower**: When you climb the North Watchtower, it's as if you've traveled through time, standing at the highest point of the ancient town. Looking out, the entire view of the ancient town unfolds before your eyes. The scattered buildings, winding alleys, and flowing rivers form a picturesque Jiangnan water town scene. The gentle breeze brings a sense of antiquity, making you feel relaxed and happy. 2. **Lord Guan Temple**: Step into Lord Guan Temple and feel the weight of history. It carries the local cultural traditions and beliefs, and every statue and building seems to tell ancient stories. 3. **Pu Merchant Guildhall**: This guildhall was rebuilt on the original site of the four dental shops established by Pu Jian 700 years ago. Stepping inside, you can almost see the bustling scene of merchants gathering in those days. It witnessed the commercial prosperity of Puyuan Ancient Town and is an important window to understand the local commercial history. 4. **Yue Family's Three Jinshi Mansion**: The Yue Family's Three Jinshi Mansion embodies a profound cultural heritage, demonstrating the family's glory and the inheritance of knowledge. Here, you can feel the presence of ancient scholars and imagine them studying hard and achieving success in the imperial examinations. 5. **Shufang Zen Garden**: This is a cultural garden landscape integrating a theater and a teahouse. The scenery in the garden is pleasant and the environment is tranquil. However, reservations are required to enter the garden. Imagine sipping tea, listening to opera, and experiencing the charm of traditional culture in the garden. What a pleasant experience! 6. **Fushen Temple**: Fushen Temple was rebuilt on the original site of Xianghai Zen Temple. The entire building complex is surrounded by water, like a fairyland floating on the water. There are two nearly thousand-year-old ginkgo trees in the temple, like two silent guardians, witnessing the rise and fall of the temple. Every autumn, the golden ginkgo leaves fall, adding a unique color to the temple. ### Boat Tour Experience Boat tours operate from 8:00 am to 9:30 pm. You can choose a suitable time slot based on your schedule. - **Route 1**: From Pu Shilang Wharf to Tourist Service Center Wharf. If you choose a chartered boat, the cost is CNY 500/boat (limited to 10 people). You can invite friends and family to enjoy a leisurely time on the boat. If you want a more economical option, you can also choose a shared boat, which costs only CNY 60 per person and CNY 30 for children. Sitting on the boat, as the water ripples, admiring the beautiful scenery on both sides, it's like being in a painting. - **Route 2**: From Tourist Service Center Wharf to Xiangyun Guan Wharf. The chartered boat price is CNY 750/boat (limited to 10 people), and the shared boat costs CNY 90 per person and CNY 45 for children. This route may bring you different scenery and experiences, allowing you to experience the water town charm of the ancient town more deeply. ### Tickets and Other Information - **Ticket Price**: A full-price ticket is CNY 120, but it only allows one entry to the scenic area. Therefore, please plan your visit accordingly. - **Scenic Area Visiting Time**: The scenic area is open from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm, and it takes about 3 hrs to visit. It is recommended to enter the park after 3:00 pm, as the weather won't be too hot, and you can enjoy the different scenery of the evening and night. In the evening, the afterglow of the setting sun casts a golden hue over the ancient town; at night, the lights illuminate the ancient town, presenting a different kind of prosperity and tranquility. - **Luggage Storage**: If you have a lot of luggage, don't worry. The Tourist Service Center provides luggage storage services, allowing you to travel light and enjoy your visit. - **Item Rental**: The scenic area also provides item rental services. You only need to pay a deposit to rent wheelchairs, strollers, canes, and umbrellas, providing convenience for tourists with different needs. - **Shuttle Bus**: For hotel guests, the shuttle bus is free. For other tourists, the shuttle bus costs CNY 10/trip, and children under 1.2m tall are free. Taking the shuttle bus can save energy and make it easier to visit all corners of the scenic area. Puyuan Fashion Ancient Town is like a forgotten pearl, quietly exuding its unique charm. I believe that you will have an unforgettable travel experience here.