Dreamlike Wuzhen｜Encounter the Last Waterside Residences in China, Save This Three-Day Two-Night Guide!

Dreamlike Wuzhen｜Encounter the Last Waterside Residences in China, Save This Three-Day Two-Night Guide!

Small bridges and flowing water, white walls and black tiles, the beauty of Wuzhen makes people reluctant to leave once they arrive.

When it comes to the water towns of Jiangnan, Wuzhen is definitely the beloved memory in countless hearts. This ancient town with a civilization history of over 7,000 years is known as "China's Last Waterside Residences."

The cross-shaped water system divides the ancient town into East Gate, West Gate, South Gate, and North Gate. Among them, East Gate is full of life, while West Gate is more tranquil. Ming and Qing dynasty buildings stand by the water, and when the night lights come on, it looks like a flowing ink painting.

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Itinerary: Three Days and Two Nights to Unlock the Charm of Wuzhen

🏮 Day 1: East Gate — Explore the Ancient Charm of the Water Town

Arrive in Wuzhen in the morning and head straight to the East Gate scenic area. Early morning at East Gate (before 8 AM) is the most beautiful, with thin mist over the river, residents lighting coal stoves by the riverbank, and drying blue printed cloth, full of life atmosphere.

Must-visit spots:

· Caishen Bay: Willows hang by the shore, the water sparkles, known as East Gate’s "wealth-attracting treasure spot."
· Hongyuan Tai Dyeing Workshop: Morning light slants in, blue printed cloth flutters in the wind, light and shadow weave a natural photo studio. It’s recommended to go to the second floor for an overhead shot to capture the geometric composition of dyed cloth and white walls with black tiles.
· Fengyuan Double Bridge: The hollow stone-carved windows on the bridge are a popular photo spot, offering a bird’s-eye view of the entire East Market River.
· Hanlin Residence (Shadow Puppet Show): Enjoy a wonderful shadow puppet performance, where lively puppets under the light tell ancient stories.

In the afternoon, try some snacks in East Gate, then take the free shuttle bus to West Gate scenic area. After checking in, rest for a while and get ready to enjoy the night view of West Gate.

🌃 Day 2: West Gate — Encounter Poetry and Romance

The night view of West Gate is praised by photographers as the "ceiling of Jiangnan night scenes." It’s recommended to leisurely explore after 4 PM. When dusk falls, 12 ancient bridges and 3,200 lanterns light up together, creating a dreamy and magical scene.

Must-experience spots:

· Mu Xin Art Museum: A minimalist building by the water, housing many works of Mr. Mu Xin. The spiral staircase and the reed marsh outside the floor-to-ceiling windows are very photogenic. The stepped library on the basement level is also by the water, where you can see fish swimming through the windows.
· Caomuben Color Dyeing Workshop: This dyeing workshop continues traditional dyeing techniques, where you can watch workers skillfully dye cloth.
· Zhaoming Academy: Quiet environment with a rich collection of books. Find a quiet corner to enjoy a peaceful reading time.
· Old Post Office: Send a handwritten postcard from here, stamped with the ancient town’s exclusive postmark for a full sense of ritual.
· White Lotus Pagoda: Climb the tower to overlook the Grand Canal, watch the sunset gild the boat shadows, and take in the beautiful scenery of the ancient town.
· Rowboat Night Tour: Arrive at Andufang Pier half an hour before sunset to charter a rowboat. When the sunset dyes the white walls golden, the boatman rows forward, and lanterns on both banks reflect in the water, time seems to stand still here.

🌿 Day 3: Wucun + Wuzhen Internet International Convention & Exhibition Center — Collision of Tradition and Modernity

· Wucun: Experience rural life by participating in fruit picking, feeding animals, and tasting farmhouse dishes made with fresh ingredients.
· Wuzhen Internet International Convention & Exhibition Center: Unique architectural style full of technology vibe, where you can learn about Wuzhen’s important role in the internet field.

🍜 Taste of Wuzhen: Must-Try Foods

In Wuzhen, food is also an indispensable experience:

· Scholar’s Lamb Noodles: No. 67 West Gate, lamb is tender and free of gamey taste, noodles soak up rich broth.
· Dingsheng Cake: Red bean paste filling from Jinji Pastry Shop, mildly sweet and not greasy.
· Radish Shreds Pancake: Freshly fried in sizzling oil, a taste of childhood.
· Sisters-in-law Cake: A salty and sweet combo, perfect as a souvenir.
· Xuchang Sauce Duck: Bright red color with rich sauce aroma.

✨ Popular Inspirations: How to Play More Uniquely

· Hanfu Experience: Rent a Hanfu at Xiqing Hall in West Gate, stroll through the cobblestone alleys, and shoot a set of photos full of time-travel vibes.
· Check in at the National Geographic Famous Spot: Sit at Qiaoliqiao Teahouse, a certified "most beautiful Jiangnan ancient town" viewing spot.
· Find Hidden Corners: About a 15-minute walk to the freely open South Gate, which is less commercialized and offers a more original water town life experience. Find a window-side café and watch rowboats pass by.
· Stay Overnight in the Ancient Town: Choose a waterside guesthouse, open the window to see the water, step out and cross the bridge, truly experience the waterside charm of "boats passing by homes, people living in paintings."

📝 Practical Information

· Tickets: East Gate 120 RMB/person, West Gate 150 RMB/person, combined ticket for both gates 200 RMB/person.
· Transportation:
· Airplane: Arrive at Xiaoshan International Airport, then take a bus about 1.5 hours to Wuzhen.
· High-speed Rail: Arrive at Tongxiang High-speed Rail Station, transfer to K282 bus about 40 minutes to Wuzhen Bus Station, then change to K350 bus to the scenic area.
· Self-driving: Convenient traffic with multiple parking lots available.
· Accommodation: It is recommended to stay inside the West Gate scenic area for multiple entries and to fully enjoy the tranquility of morning and night. There are 15 hotels in the scenic area; guesthouses like Tong’an Inn and Yiyuan Shenting Hotel are good choices.

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The charm of Wuzhen lies in its ability to offer a spiritual haven for busy travelers. Whether boating on the river or sitting quietly listening to the rain, there is always a peacefulness here waiting for you away from the hustle and bustle.