Wuzhen is back, really don’t recommend budget travel—here’s some honest advice

Just got back from wandering around Wuzhen, carrying the dampness of Jiangnan and a belly full of delicious food. Quickly putting together this super practical guide! September isn’t too crowded, the weather is comfortable, friends who want to go can just copy this~

🚗 How to get there? Avoid travel pitfalls

- From out of town: I took the high-speed train from Shanghai to Tongxiang Station🚄, only 40 minutes. After getting off, take the K282 bus directly to Wuzhen West Scenic Area, 1 hour for 10 yuan, or you can take a ride-hailing car for about 30 minutes at around 50 yuan.
- Transportation inside the scenic area: West Scenic Area is large, you can take free shuttle boats🛶 (for example, from Andufang to Wangjinli), or rent a bike🚲 for 20 yuan/hour. Riding on the stone-paved roads at night feels amazing. There is a free shuttle bus between East and West Scenic Areas, running every 15 minutes.

🏮 Must-visit spots! Avoid the crowds

- West Scenic Area: A must-see! Go to Bailian Tower at dusk to watch the sunset🌇, the Grand Canal under the tower is very atmospheric; at night, see the lanterns near Mao Dun’s former residence, red lanterns reflecting on white walls and black tiles make for great photos📸; don’t miss the Mu Xin Art Museum, the architecture is simple yet stylish, and the exhibits inside are worth savoring.
- East Scenic Area: More original and natural! Visit the Baichuang Hall to see ancient carved big beds, very historic; Hongyuan Tai Dyeing Workshop’s indigo printed cloth hangs all over the yard, looks beautiful when the wind blows, and you can try hand-dyeing💙; early morning in East Scenic Area is less crowded, stroll along Dongshi River, watch locals washing vegetables and clothes, very full of life.
- South Scenic Area: Free! Not very commercialized, mostly old local houses, you can buy handmade pickled vegetables and Gusu biscuits as souvenirs🛍️.

🍜 Foodie list! Only locals eat these

- Inside West Scenic Area: Recommend “Republic Era” Wuzhen soy sauce duck noodles🍜, the soy sauce duck🦆 is flavorful but not greasy; “Yuchanghao” Ding Sheng Cake, soft, glutinous, and sweet, 3 yuan each, super cost-effective🍘.
- Outside the scenic area: “Scholar Lamb Noodles” is a must-try! September’s lamb🐑 is tender, the broth is rich, adding lamb blood curd is amazing🐑; “Old Wuzhen Noodle House” eel silk noodles, fresh eel silk paired with thin noodles is very fragrant.
- Snacks: Street-side scallion pancakes🌯 and stinky tofu🍢 are really worth trying, made fresh and eaten on the spot, crispy outside and tender inside.

📝 3 days 2 nights itinerary! Easy and fun

- Day 1: Arrive at West Scenic Area in the afternoon → check into a guesthouse → explore West Scenic Area night view → have a late-night snack
- Day 2: Morning visit East Scenic Area → lunch with lamb noodles → afternoon visit Mu Xin Art Museum → watch open-air movie in West Scenic Area at night🎬
- Day 3: Early morning stroll in South Scenic Area → buy souvenirs → lunch with eel silk noodles → return trip

💡 September tips! Key points

1. September in Wuzhen is cool in the morning and evening, bring a light cardigan👕, short sleeves are just right when the sun is out at noon.
2. West Scenic Area guesthouses are inside the scenic area, a bit pricier but you can enjoy the area late into the night. Recommend rooms by the water, with river views right outside the window🌊.
3. Don’t buy expensive stuff inside West Scenic Area, handmade goods in South Scenic Area are more affordable.
4. Avoid weekends! There are more people on weekends, weekdays are more comfortable for visiting.

The slow pace of Wuzhen really relaxes you, white walls and black tiles, small bridges and flowing water, even your footsteps slow down on the stone roads~ September is perfect to avoid the peak season, hurry and plan your trip!🍂