Weekend getaway in Wuzheng Watertown
A weekend break away in Wuzheng Watertown is perfect for exploring the beauty of China on a short escape in Autumn. It is also the perfect town whether you like to discover a new place on a solo trip, with family, a partner, friends or even on a dog-friendly holiday. With a history dating back more than 1,300 years, Wuzhen Water Town has been well preserved. The area is divided into two parts. The east area is more commercialized and crowded, while the west area is more peaceful and elegant. There are narrow streets and alleys in the town, boat rides along the waterways, and cultural landmarks such as the Hundred Beds Museum and the Indigo Fabric Workshop. It looks like a Chinese ink wash drawing with its black bricks and gray tiles contrasted sharply with the white walls.
East Area
Wuzhen Town’s East Area is a well-liked neighborhood that is teeming with attractions like museums, galleries, and nightclubs. Because it is located east of the Shi River, the area is known as the East Area. Generally speaking, early mornings are the best times to go because the river will be shrouded in mist and you might be able to see some folks smoking honeycomb briquettes.
Martial Arts
There is no better area in Wuzhen to get a close-up look at the art of kung fu than the East Area. On boxing boats, you may watch martial arts performances that are accompanied by gongs and drums. The performers carry swords and other conventional Chinese weaponry while donning traditional kung fu garb.
Museums
Visit China’s first antique bed museum, the Ancient Bed Museum, while touring the East Area. Beautiful Chinese antique beds, some of which date all the way back to the Ming period (1368–1644), can be seen and studied there. You can find out more about Wuzhen’s historical customs for marriages, seasonal changes, birthdays, and childbirth during the 19th and 20th centuries by going to the Folk Custom Museum.
Chinese wine distillery
Wuzhen is proud of its history of producing wine. The town started producing Sanbai Wine during the Ming period (1368–1644), a mouthwatering, mild, and mellow alcoholic beverage. This traditional brew is available for tasting at the Sanbai Wine Distillery Workshop.
Shadow Play Theater
You may view shadow puppet performances on a large screen at the Shadow Play Theatre. Chinese musical instruments including the gong, erhu, and flute are frequently used in performances of this ancient art form.
Huagu Opera
A captivating regional theatre called Huagu Opera takes you through tales of rural life in the Wuzhen region. It includes traditional costumes and live music performed in the regional tongue.
West Area
Compared to the East Area, the West Area is less crowded . The West Area is also quite charming, thanks to its elegant bridges and ancient buildings. Streets in West Area are lined with numerous inns, stores, and studios for handicrafts. When it is attractively lit at night, it is very pleasant to be explored in the evenings.
Wuzhen Grand Theater
Everything you might anticipate from a revered cultural hub is there in the Wuzhen Grand Theatre. You may feel China’s inherent beauty because to this architectural masterpiece’s integration of the north and south’s diverse cultural traditions. The Wuzhen Grand Theatre offers a range of unforgettable cultural events in a calm setting, including local operas, vintage films, and storytelling.
Footbinding Museum
Foot binding is the term used to describe the formerly common Chinese custom of tying and breaking young girls’ feet to reduce their size. In the past, some people considered bound feet to be a sign of beauty and/or prestige. To find out more about this custom, visit the Wuzhen Chinese Footbinding Culture Museum.
Wuzhen Water Market
When you go to the Water Market, you can find the freshest food, get striking pictures, and even learn how to make certain regional cuisine. Consider renting a room from some locals who live close to the market if you want to get a firsthand look at life in Wuzhen. You can purchase vegetables at the Water Market, bring them home, and work with your hosts to learn how to prepare some regional recipes with them.
Yadi Silk Workshop
The Yadi Silk Workshop is the best place to learn about silk production because Wuzhen is known for producing silk. From growing mulberry trees to weaving silk, you may learn about every step in the production of silk.
Accommodation
Tongan Hotel
The Tongan Hotel is an ideal spot for travelers wanting to discover the city. It is situated in the westernmost point of West. It has a Ming and Qing architectural complex and is in the traditional two-story beautiful Jiangnan style. Building 1, Building 2, and Tongbao Building make up its three sections. There are 349 different types of rooms, including single, standard, and duplex suites. A multipurpose conference hall, little and medium-sized meeting rooms, a standalone Chinese restaurant, and numerous eating boxes are all present.
Travel Tips
Q1: When is the best time to visit?
A1: Wuzhen is often most pleasant in the spring, when temperatures vary from 62 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (16.7 to 26.7 degrees Celsius). The town is particularly picturesque at this time of year because of the spring mist. If you enjoy cool temperatures (between 42 and 54 degrees Fahrenheit or 5.6 and 12.2 degrees Celsius), the autumn is the best time to visit. You may take in Wuzhen’s stunning clean skies by visiting in the autumn.
Q2: How to tour Wuzhen?
A2: East Area and West Area are nearly 1.5km apart. You can tour Wuzhen in one day but you need to be in Wuzhen earlier in the morning and spend 2-3 hours in the East Area, then go to visit the West Area after lunch therefore you can enjoy the night scene. The recommended time frame is two days. Without rushing, you may take your time and enjoy the water town more.
Q3: How to get to Wuzhen?
A3: you can reach Wuzhen via car or train.
Car
- Shanghai: 2 hours
- Hangzhou: 50 minutes
- Suzhou: 1.5 hours
- Nanjing: 3.5 hours
Train
- Tongxiang: 25-minute train ride + 20-minute car ride
- Shanghai: 40-minute train ride + 20-minute car ride
- Suzhou: 1.5-hour train ride
- Nanjing: 2-hour train ride to Tongxiang
Our tours are private tours and can be fully personalized based on your preferences, therefore feel free to discuss with our travel consultants.
