Ancient Town of Wuzhen
» Hangzhou, Zhe Jiang

乌镇 '田在港西家港东,断桥春水步难退.束芦抉翁稳来去,不碍小船分钓筒'

Wuzhen Town, in Tongxiang City, Zhejiang Province, has stood on the riverbanks for nearly 2,000 years. On both sides of a slabstone-paved street stand pubs, restaurants, pawnshops, weaving and dyeing establishments, and other businesses, all housed in wooden structures of brown. Rivers and creeks spanned with stone bridges in various designs flow through the town, and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal passes by.

Interesting story about "archway"

During the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420 - 581), Crown Prince Liang Zhaoming once studied at Wuzhen. The prince is famous for his Literary Selections by Zhaoming, a milestone in the history of Chinese literature, and the town of Wuzhen built a memorial archway to commemorate his stay there and has kept it well preserved.

Sites must see

Wu Zhen is famous for its natural beauty and many talented people in history. Some historical and cultural sites include the Wenchang Pavilion, the Xiuzhen Taoist Temple, the ancient stage, the mansion of a member of the Imperial Academy, and the former residence of Mao Dun, a great master of contemporary Chinese literature.

Former Residence of Mao Dun

Mao Dun is a famous literature Writer in modern China, with novel of "Midnight", etc. literary works. His former home is located in the middle part of Guan Qian Street of the town, where he had his happy childhood. The home is a traditional Chinese style house built in Qing Dynasty.

Xiu Zhen Guan

Xiu Zhen Guan is a Taoist temple which is built in Xian Ping Yuan period of Bei Song Dynasty. It is one of three famous Taoist temples in South Bank in Yangtze River.

Xiu Zhen Guan Stage

The stage is built in 1749. It is sitting back on a major river of the town and facing a plaza. In the ancient time, farmers around the town came to watch plays by rowing boat. While a play was going on, boats were floating on the river.

Pavilion

There is a length of 1000 meters wriggling corridor along the bank of a river, which demonstrate a particular charming of towns in south Bank of Yangtze River.

Local Housing

An architectural complex that is a legacy of Qing Dynasty reflects local architectural style and humanity.

Aged Qingko Tree

There is a gingko tree over 1000 years old in the town, which is a living witness of the history of the town.

Traditions still alive

Tradition is still very much alive in Wuzhen. In addition to flower-drum opera, shadow-puppet shows, and temple fairs, Wuzhen also attracts visitors with its time-honored art of making indigo-dyed printed calico.

In ancient times, indigo-dyed printed calico was used for curtains, scarves, and tablecloths in every household in the countryside of Zhejiang Province. Today, it is still common to see old women in indigo-blue gowns leisurely operating spinning wheels or looms at weaving workshops in the old lanes of Wuzhen, while the squeaks of the looms resound throughout the lanes. Carrying on this tradition has become a part of the lives of the old women.

Rain days is best

Wuzhen is at its best on rainy days. Strolling with an umbrella along an old lane past the centuries-old wooden houses and seeing the rain flow off the engraved eaves that cover the doorways is an amazing experience. The falling raindrops bring ripples on the river surfaces, while boats travel to and from. The waterside pavilions and corridors and the arched bridges, all shrouded in drizzle, make up a charming scene.

Friends in Wuzhen

People in Wuzhen live a simple life. Many of them breed silkworms and raise chrysanthemums, and they have mostly retained the tradition of buying fruit and vegetables from trade boats through the windows of their waterside houses. They benefit from an inherited harmony of man and nature and enjoy the pleasing living environment that comes from social progress.

Efforts have been made by government

In May 1999, the local government invested 200 million yuan for maintaining and improving the town's environment. The project was to be completed within five years, and the first phase, with an investment of 80 million yuan, was completed by the end of 2001.

While taking care to retain the town's original look, efforts have been made in the treatment of the water environment, the renovation of public toilets, the installation of outdoor lighting, and the management of the sanitation and appearance of the town. A clean, beautiful environment has thus been ensured.

Art work suggest to buy

For convenience in transporting the cloth, the weaving workshops and dyeing workshops are usually on the same street, only a few doors from each other. At the dyeing workshop, the cloth is soaked and air-dried again and again to produce white flowers on a blue background. The raw material for dye printing is Eupatorium fortunei, a herb that turns into indigo after being fermented and precipitated.

Folk custom

Wu Zhen boasts its prosperous past and simple lifestyle. Tongxiang's unique folk custom, such as Boxing Boat, Hua Gu Opera with local character, Shadow Play and Gathering Pilgrim, show the rich tradition of the locality!

Local food suggest to try

Visitors can try the famous local food Steamed Pork Slices with Glutinous Rice Flour Wrapped in Lotus. Travelers can also chooes to dine at one of the local's home, provided you know some Chinese. Food is simple but dining at a casual Chinese family's home may provide a quite different experience.

Getting there

By highway

Shanghai-Wuzhen

On weekends or some major festivals, there are special-line buses departing from Shanghai Hongkou Football Stadium at 8:00 am or Shanghai Stadium at 7:50, 8:45 am for Wuzhen. Shanghai Xiqu Bus Station also has some bus connections to Wuzhen and the ticket price is 30 yuan per person.

Hangzhou-Wuzhen

There are no direct buses running between Hangzhou and Wuzhen, Visitors want to travel Wuzhen via bus journey has to make a transfer at Tongxiang.

Nanxun-Wuzhen

Buses from Nanxun to Jiaxing all passing through Wuzhen.

Local Transportation

Rickshaws and taxis are the main transportation means in Wuzhen.

Attractions around » Hangzhou, Zhe Jiang

Natural Scene

Natural Scene

Historical Site

Historical Site

Cultural Site

Cultural Site

Day Entertainment & Sports

Day Entertainment & Sports

Shopping & Leisure

Shopping & Leisure

  Weather

  1. Hangzhou's weather and something we need to know

  Food

  1. What's the specialty of Hangzhou cuisine?
  2. What are some famous restaurants in Hangzhou?

  Shopping

  1. What are the best souvenirs in Hangzhou?

  Customs

  1. What are some local festivals in Hangzhou?

  • Hangzhou's weather and something we need to know

    Hangzhou's weather is always warm and humid, with a clear division of four seasons.

    The peak season usually starts in March and lasts for a month, due to a flower-blooming season, with a temperature of 9 to 15 C.

    From late June to early July, it is the plum rain season. Rainfalls are very unpredictable. Typhoon takes places in the early August with pouring rains, so during this period of time, an umbrella is always needed when you prepare to go out.

    The winter in Hangzhou is just like other cities' in south China, with piercing cold. Warm clothes are strongly suggested.

    If you want to take a walk alongside the West Lake, please wear some warm clothes too, to avoid from getting a clod which will affect your journey.

    Each season in Hangzhou has its own splendid view and specialty, which are all worth visiting.


  • What's the specialty of Hangzhou cuisine?

    Hangzhou cuisine does have it's own characteristics: smells nice, tastes good and looks pleasant. Fresh tastes is the most well-known specialty of Hangzhou cuisine.

    The most famous dishes are Fish Maw with Chinese Broccoli, Dongpo Pork, West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy, etc.

    You can not underestimate Hangzhou's snacks. Thousands years of history provides a peculiarity of Hangzhou snacks. Congbaohui, Cat Ears (Do not panic. It's not really cat's ears. It's dough in a cat's ear's shape and is cooked in different ways), Noodles with Preserved Vegetable and Sliced Pork and Bamboo Shoots in Soup, Crisp Cakes, etc.


  • What are some famous restaurants in Hangzhou?

    Louwailou Restaurant

    Built in the 1840s by a Qing Dynasty Noble, Louwailou Restaurant is said to be the oldest restaurant in China. Many foreign heads have dined there when visiting this city.

    The Restaurant features authentic Hangzhou cuisine. Tasty food served including West Lake Carp in Sweet and Sour Sauce, Beggar's Chicken as well as Dragon Well Tea served with snacks.

    Address: No 30 Gushan Road
    Tel: (0571) 8796 9023
    Opening Hours: Open daily 11:30am - 2:30pm and 4:30pm - 8:30pm

    Tianwaitian Restaurant

    This is also a very old restaurant first opened in 1910. its nice location close to the Lingyin Temple, tasty seafood and warm service make the restaurant very popular eating place for tourist.

    Address: No. 2 Tianzhu Road, outside the Peak Flown from Afar Park entrance
    Tel: (0571) 8796 0599
    Opening hours: Open Daily 7am - 9pm


  • What are the best souvenirs to best in Hangzhou?

    Silk

    Hangzhou is well known for producing excellent silks, including satins.

    The best place for purchasing silk in Hangzhou is at Hangzhou Silk City, the biggest silk wholesale and retail market in China with more than 600 silk enterprises dealing in a wide variety of pure silk fabrics, garments, handicraft articles, scarves, and ties.

    It is located at No.253 Xinhua Road (at the intersection of Fengqi Road, Tiyuchang Road, and Xinhua Road). You can get to the site by bus No.11 and 28.

    Tea

    Hangzhou Longjing Tea (Dragon Well Tea) is considered China's best. It is not only famous for its unique green color, fragrant aroma, sweet taste, and flat appearance, but is also regarded as a health elixir.

    The tea falls into different grades; the best is the first pick of a year, normally in late March or early April.

    Besides its good quality, Longjing Tea also enjoys a famous long history. If you are interested in tea culture and history, Meijiawu Village in West Lake District is the ideal spot where you can have a cup of tea, watch a tea ceremony, and select tea under professional guidance.


  • What are some local festivals in Hangzhou?

    There are some remarkable festivals in Hangzhou, maybe you will experience one of them if you are lucky enough:

    • Dragon Well Tea Festival (April-May)
      The annual Dragon Well Tea Festival, hosted by Dragon Well Village, attracts people from everywhere to take part in activities such as picking tea, drinking tea, enjoying a tea ceremony, and walking in the countryside.

    • West Lake Lotus Festival (July-August)
      The main activities of this festival include viewing the beautiful lotus, picking lotus seed pods, shelling lotus seed, watching folk drama performances, and visiting the lotus exhibition. The host area is one of the scenic spots of West Lake-Qu Yuan Feng He.

    • West Lake Osmanthus Festival (September-October)
      Since osmanthus is the city flower of Hangzhou, the government has decreed that each year during September when osmanthus blooms, Hangzhou citizens host the West Lake Osmanthus Festival.

      The sites of the celebration are usually in Man Long Gui Yu Park, Man Jue Long Village, and Hangzhou Arboretum. Appreciating osmanthus and the food made of osmanthus, drinking tea, watching shows and painting exhibitions are the main activities during the festival.

    • China International Qiantang River Tidal Bore Festival (September-the 18th day of the eighth lunar month)
      During this tourist-friendly festival, one of the largest in China, visitors arrive to appreciate the great spectacle of the Qiantang River Bore. The bore is a unique natural phenomenon triggered by the pull of the moon.

      When the tides come in, a wave is produced so large that it surges several meters high. Every year this magnificent wonder draws thousands of tourists from all over the world.

    • West Lake International Fireworks Show (In the middle of October)
      This dazzling event in West Lake draws thousand of viewers to the fireworks site to witness the glittering and colorful skyline. Thousands of new fireworks products from different countries entertain enthusiastic visitors.


Tradition is still very much alive in Wuzhen. In addition to flower-drum opera, shadow-puppet shows, and temple fairs, Wuzhen also attracts visitors with its time-honored art of making indigo-dyed printed calico. Today, it is still common to see old women in indigo-blue gowns leisurely operating spinning wheels or looms at weaving workshops in the old lanes of Wuzhen.

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