Seeking Dreams in Wuzhen: Encountering the Poetic Time of Jiangnan Water Village
In the gentle water town of Jiangnan, Wuzhen is like a fresh and graceful poem and an ancient and elegant painting. It carries thousands of years of history and culture, and its unique features of flowing water, white walls and black tiles attract countless tourists who come to seek that touch of tranquility and poetry. Let us step into Wuzhen together and start a poetic and picturesque journey to the south of the Yangtze River.
Overview of Wuzhen and How to Get There
Wuzhen is located in Tongxiang City, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province. It is a typical ancient water town in the south of the Yangtze River and is known as "the last waterside town in China". It is divided into East Gate, West Gate, South Gate and North Gate. East Gate and West Gate are the main tourist attractions and are relatively well developed, while South Gate and North Gate have relatively retained more of their original features.
1. Public transportation:
- Plane: You can take a flight to Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. There is a direct bus from the airport to Wuzhen, which takes about 1.5 hours and costs about 30-40 yuan.
- Train: You can choose Tongxiang Station or Jiaxing Station. Tongxiang Station is closer to Wuzhen. After exiting the station, there is a direct bus to Wuzhen, K282, which takes about 30-40 minutes and costs about 3-5 yuan. After exiting Jiaxing Station, you can take a shuttle bus to Wuzhen at Jiaxing Bus Passenger Transport Center, which takes about 1 hour and costs about 10-15 yuan.
- Long-distance buses: There are long-distance buses from surrounding cities such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, etc. that go directly to Wuzhen. From Shanghai, the journey takes about 2 - 3 hours and the ticket price is about 40 - 60 yuan; from Hangzhou, the journey takes about 1 - 1.5 hours and the ticket price is about 20 - 30 yuan; from Suzhou, the journey takes about 1.5 - 2 hours and the ticket price is about 30 - 40 yuan.
2. Self-driving: It is very convenient to drive to Wuzhen. You can set the destination as Wuzhen Dongzha or Xizha scenic area through the navigation software. There is a parking lot in the scenic area. The parking fee is charged according to the type of vehicle and parking duration. Small cars are generally 10-20 yuan per time.
Must-see attractions
1. Dongzha: Dongzha has preserved many buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties and is a good place to experience the traditional water town life in Wuzhen.
- Caishen Bay: Located in the center of Wuzhen East Gate, the river is in the shape of a "丁" and has a wide water area. The surrounding quaint buildings are reflected in the river. During holidays, traditional high-pole boat performances are performed here, which are very exciting. Free admission.
- Jiangnan Hundred Beds Museum: The museum houses a collection of various ancient beds from the Ming and Qing Dynasties to modern times. They are exquisitely shaped and meticulously carved, showcasing the unique bed culture of the Jiangnan region. The ticket is included in the Dongzha Scenic Area ticket.
- Folk Customs Museum: The museum displays a wealth of Wuzhen folk cultural relics. Through scene restoration and physical display, it vividly shows the local folk customs of Wuzhen, such as weddings, funerals, and seasonal festivals. The ticket is included in the Dongzha Scenic Area ticket.
- Xiuzhen Temple: The oldest Taoist temple in Wuzhen, it was built in the first year of Xianping in the Northern Song Dynasty. The ancient stage in the temple is one of the best preserved in the ancient towns of Jiangnan water villages. Traditional opera performances such as Huagu Opera are held regularly every day, where visitors can experience the charm of traditional culture. The ticket is included in the Dongzha Scenic Area ticket. The ticket price for Dongzha Scenic Area is 110 yuan.
2. Xizha: Xizha has been rationally developed and planned while preserving the style of the ancient town. Xizha is brightly lit at night and magnificent, and is the essence of Wuzhen.
- Mu Xin Art Museum: Built in memory of Mr. Mu Xin, a painter and writer from Wuzhen, the museum houses Mr. Mu Xin’s paintings, literary works and related research materials. The art museum was designed by a disciple of architectural master I.M. Pei. Its unique architectural style complements the water town scenery of Wuzhen. The ticket price is 20 yuan.
- Caomubense Dyeing Workshop: This is where the traditional blue printed cloth production process of Wuzhen is displayed. Visitors can see the whole process of dyeing and participate in the printing and dyeing experience themselves. The huge cloth drying yard is filled with blue and white floral cloth, which flutters in the wind and creates a unique landscape. Free admission.
- White Lotus Tower: One of the landmark buildings in Xizha, it is the tallest building in Wuzhen. Climbing up the White Lotus Tower, you can overlook the panoramic view of Xizha, especially at sunset, when the golden afterglow sprinkles on the river and the beautiful scenery of the ancient town is in full view. Free admission.
- Night view of Xizha: When night falls, the lights of Xizha light up, reflecting the river water, creating a dreamlike scene. Visitors can take a rowboat, travel through the river, enjoy the night lights on both sides of the river, and feel the romance and tranquility of the Jiangnan water town. Rowing boat price: 180 yuan per boat during the day, limited to 6 people; 280 yuan per boat at night, limited to 6 people. The ticket price for Xizha Scenic Area is 150 yuan.
3. Nanzha and Beizha: Nanzha and Beizha have not yet been developed on a large scale, retaining the most original life atmosphere of Wuzhen. There are not too many tourists here, only the daily life scenes of local residents. Walking along the narrow streets and looking at the old houses and mottled walls, it feels like going back in time. South Gate and North Gate are open to the public free of charge.
Specialties
1. Wuzhen Braised Duck: Made from local ducks, it is stewed for several hours and made with a unique sauce-making process. The marinated duck has a bright red color, tender duck meat and a strong aroma of sauce. It is a traditional specialty of Wuzhen. You can taste it in restaurants and braised food shops in Wuzhen. Half a duck in soy sauce costs about 20-30 yuan.
2. Dingsheng Cake: It is shaped like a small pillow, has a soft and sticky texture, and is sweet but not greasy. It is made of glutinous rice flour, red bean paste, etc., and is printed with the words "Dingsheng", which means victory and auspiciousness. It can be purchased at snack stalls and pastry shops in Wuzhen, and the price of one piece is about 3-5 yuan.
3. Sister-in-law Cake: A traditional pastry from Wuzhen, moist and spicy, with just the right amount of sweetness and saltiness. Legend has it that it was made by an aunt and a sister-in-law, hence the name. The production process of Sister-in-law Cake is unique. Sesame seeds, sugar, salt and other seasonings are added to the flour and then baked. It can be purchased at specialty stores in Wuzhen, and the price of a pack is about 10-20 yuan.
4. Mutton noodles: Wuzhen’s mutton noodles are made with local Hu sheep, which are stewed until they are soft and tasty, with chewy noodles and rich soup. On a cold winter day, eating a bowl of steaming mutton noodles can not only fill your stomach but also keep away the cold. In a noodle shop in Wuzhen, a bowl of mutton noodles costs about 20-30 yuan.
Accommodation Recommendations
1. High-end enjoyment type:
- Wuzhen Xizha Waterside Resort Hotel: Located in Xizha Scenic Area, it is built along the river and has a quiet environment. The hotel rooms are elegantly decorated with Jiangnan water village characteristics, and some rooms offer river views. The hotel offers a variety of dining, leisure and conference facilities and first-class services. The price per night is about 800-3000 yuan.
2. Economical and comfortable type:
- Hanting Hotel (Tongxiang Wuzhen): Close to Wuzhen Dongzha Scenic Area, with convenient transportation. The hotel rooms are clean and tidy, cost-effective and provide basic accommodation services. The price per night is about 150-350 yuan.
3. Featured experience type:
- Wuzhen B&B: There are many characteristic B&Bs in the Dongzha and Xizha scenic areas, with prices ranging from RMB 200 to 800 per night. Most of these homestays are renovated from old houses of local residents and have a strong water village style. Visitors can experience the local lifestyle and taste home-cooked meals prepared by the B&B owners.
Tour routes and tips
1. Two-day tour route:
- Day 1: Depart from surrounding cities in the morning and take appropriate transportation to Wuzhen. If you choose to stay in the Xizha Scenic Area, you can first check in at Wuzhen Xizha Waterside Resort Hotel or other homestays, and after putting down your luggage, you can tour the Xizha Scenic Area. First, visit the Caomu Bense Dyeing Workshop to learn about the production process of blue printed cloth; then go to the Bailian Tower to overlook the panoramic view of Xizha; at noon, taste Wuzhen specialties such as pickled duck and Dingsheng cake in the restaurant in the scenic area. In the afternoon, visit the Mu Xin Art Museum to experience the artistic charm of Mr. Mu Xin. Take a rowboat at night to enjoy the charming night view of Xizha.
- Day 2: Take a walk in the Xizha Scenic Area in the morning and feel the tranquility of the ancient town in the early morning. Afterwards, head to Dongzha Scenic Area to visit Caishen Bay, Jiangnan Hundred Beds Museum, Folk Customs Museum, Xiuzhen Temple and other attractions to experience the traditional culture of Wuzhen. At noon, taste mutton noodles and other delicacies in a restaurant near Dongzha. In the afternoon, you can go to Nanzha or Beizha to experience the original style of Wuzhen and buy some special souvenirs such as Sister-in-law Cakes. After the tour, prepare to return.
2. Tips for playing:
- Tickets for Wuzhen Scenic Area are divided into separate tickets for East and West Scenic Areas and a combined ticket for East and West Scenic Areas (190 yuan). You can choose to purchase according to your itinerary and preferences. The combined ticket must be used within the specified time, so please make sure to arrange your tour time reasonably.
- When visiting Wuzhen in summer, the weather is quite hot, so please take sun protection measures and bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, etc. At the same time, summer is also the rainy season in Wuzhen, so prepare rain gear.
- When riding a rowboat in Wuzhen, please pay attention to safety and follow the rules on the boat. When taking photos, be careful to keep your personal belongings safe to prevent them from falling into the river.
- When purchasing specialty products, choose regular merchants and pay attention to the quality and price. When tasting local cuisine, pay attention to food hygiene and avoid buying and eating unclean food.
Wuzhen, this poetic and charming water town in the south of the Yangtze River, is waiting for your arrival with its unique charm. Here, you can slow down, listen to the voice of history, and feel the tenderness of the water town. Come to Wuzhen and start an unforgettable journey to the Jiangnan water town!