I really don't recommend visiting from June to August, it's truly overwhelming.

Here's a practical guide for Wuzhen travel in 2025, covering transportation, tickets, attractions, experiences, and itinerary suggestions to help you efficiently plan your Jiangnan water town trip: --- 🚌 1. Transportation Guide - By air: Fly to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport, then take a direct bus (about 110 minutes, fare 45 yuan). - By high-speed rail: Arrive at Tongxiang Station, transfer to bus K282 directly to Xizha Scenic Area (last bus at 21:40). - By car: Navigate to "Wuzhen Xizha Parking Lot", overnight fee 40 yuan/day. --- 🎫 2. Tickets & Opening Hours: - Xizha: 150 yuan/person; Dongzha: 110 yuan/person; Combo ticket: 190 yuan/person (valid for 1 day). - Free admission: Children under 1.2m, seniors over 70, military personnel, etc. - 2025 new benefit: Stay at hotels within Xizha Scenic Area (except Shui Xiang Youth Hostel) to get free Xizha admission. - Opening hours: - Xizha: 9:00-22:00 (night lights until 22:30/23:00). - Dongzha: Summer 7:00-18:00, Winter 7:00-17:30. --- 🌟 3. Must-Visit Attractions & Experiences Xizha Highlights: 1. Night paddle boat tour: Shared boat 60 yuan/person, lanterns reflecting on the river, experience "Jiangnan with oar sounds and light shadows". 2. Mu Xin Art Museum: Minimalist waterside architecture housing Mu Xin's manuscripts (closed Mondays, ticket 20 yuan). 3. Caomu Bense Dyehouse: Blue calico fluttering in the wind, try tie-dye DIY, great for photos. 4. Wuzhen Post Office: Send a postcard with century-old postmark (10 yuan/piece), romantic time travel. 5. Bailian Pagoda: Climb for panoramic views of Grand Canal and ancient town, sunset with bell chimes. Dongzha Cultural Charms: - Mao Dun's Former Residence: Visit the literary giant's home, featuring new digital exhibition of unpublished manuscripts. - Folk performances: Shadow puppetry (Hanlin Mansion), pole boat (Dragon Boat Festival only), martial arts boat (water kung fu). - Hongyuan Tai Dyehouse: Hands-on blue calico tie-dye, experience intangible cultural heritage. Spring Specials (March-June): - "Live Well" Festival: Rapeseed flower camping at Dragon Field, poetry gatherings, incense market. - Canal Spring Breeze Market: Wangjin Dyke youth market with live bands and riverside movie nights. --- 🍜 4. Wuzhen Cuisine - Breakfast: Morning Tea Market—Dingsheng cake with Hangzhou white chrysanthemum tea, radish cakes (about 15 yuan/person). - Meals: - Scholar's Mutton Noodles (Xizha): Flavorful mutton, slightly gamey but highly rated. - Lingshui Street Clay Pot Hotpot: Spring vegetables with Sanbai wine, about 80 yuan/person. - Snacks: Gusao cakes (sweet-salty crisp), Wuzhen soy sauce duck, Granny Mao's stinky tofu (crispier version). --- 🏡 5. Accommodation Recommendations - Inside scenic area: Tong'an Inn/Wangjinli Hotel (waterside rooms with views, peaceful after night tours, 800+/night). - Outside scenic area: Muyun Chunshu B&B cluster (5-minute walk, smart home + shuttle service, 200 yuan/night). --- 📅 6. Itinerary Planning One-day tour (compact version): - Morning: Dongzha (Mao Dun's Former Residence + shadow puppetry + martial arts boat show). - Afternoon to night: Xizha (Dyehouse → Zhaoming Academy → Post Office → night boat ride). Two-day tour (in-depth version): - Day1: Dongzha cultural tour (2-3 hours) → free shuttle to Xizha → overnight waterside stay → night boat tour. - Day2: Exclusive morning in Xizha (morning tea) → Mu Xin Art Museum → Bailian Pagoda → Nancha Old Street food hunt (Grandma's Home Cooking). --- ⚠️ 7. Tips to Avoid Pitfalls 1. Booking: Reserve tickets 1-3 days in advance via "Wuzhen Tourism" app during peak season. 2. Avoid: - Be cautious of roadside "Wuzhen plums"—often dyed grapes. - Low value restaurants inside scenic area, try Nancha local eateries instead. 3. Gear: Non-slip shoes (wet stone paths), mosquito repellent (riverside bugs). --- 💎 Summary - Best seasons: April-May (spring drizzle) or September-October (autumn tranquility), avoid summer heat. - Budget tip: Use "free admission with hotel stay" policy to deeply experience Xizha's dawn/dusk beauty. - Hidden gems: Free Nancha/Beicha areas (original old streets + trendy shops), great for cultural photography. > Wuzhen's charm lies in paddle boat ripples, fluttering blue calico, and that moment when you open wooden windows to "pillow-on-water Jiangnan".