Wuzhen Water Town

Brief History of Wuzhen Town

Wuzhen Town, originally named Wudun. Archaeological research at the ancient cultural site of Tanjiawan near Wuzhen Town indicates that approximately 7,000 years ago, during the Neolithic Majiabang Culture period, the ancestors of Wuzhen cultivated rice, raised livestock, and wove hemp cloth while thriving in this area. This means that the land of Wuzhen stands as one of the earliest cradles of China's civilization.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, Wuzhen lay on the border between the states of Wu and Yue, with the State of Wu stationing troops here to guard against the State of Yue. In the Qin and Han dynasties, Wuzhen was administered either by Huzhou or Jiaxing in Zhejiang Province, or by Suzhou in Jiangsu Province.

By the Song Dynasty, Wuzhen entered its first golden age in history. Why? Because of its thriving water transport and burgeoning commerce. Situated on the Hangjiahu Plain, crisscrossed by a dense network of rivers, Wuzhen became a vital hub for the flow of goods between north and south. Silk, tea, grain, and porcelain all converged and dispersed here. Taverns, teahouses, inns, and pawnshops lined the streets one after another.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Wuzhen's economy and culture reached their zenith. Its silk industry flourished exceptionally, with every household engaged in sericulture, silk reeling, and weaving, earning it the title “Silk Capital.” Numerous wealthy merchants emerged, constructing grand mansions and courtyards. Landmarks in Wuzhen like Mao Dun's Former Residence, Zhaoming Academy, and Xiuzen Temple all date back to this era.

Wuzhen Attractions: What to See

Stone railings and arch bridges, arched gates across the street, imposing dwellings and spacious courtyards, river banks and verandas are all well preserved, presenting an original ecological scene of a water town in the South of Yangtze River. Within Wuzhen Town, there are now more than 40 hectares of late 19th century original buildings, and more than 100 ancient stone bridges of different shapes. It is just like a natural museum of ancient Chinese architecture.

The traditional workshops district, the traditional local-styled dwelling houses district, the traditional culture district, the local authentic Chinese food and beverage district, the traditional shops and stores district, and the water township customs and life district are six districts of Wuzhen. 

Dongzha (East Gate) Scenic Area

Dongzha showcases a rich water town culture and rustic folk house charm. Many locals still live in the houses lining the riverbanks. The scenic area includes attractions such as the former residence of Mao Dun, Xiuzhen Temple, and the Mu Xin Memorial Hall. 

Folk performances include Fist Boat (10:30-10:40, 14:30-14:40) and Pole Boat (a third-batch National Intangible Cultural Heritage), with afternoon sessions at 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, and 16:00 (each lasting 20 minutes).

Hongyuantai Dyeing Workshop showcases traditional cloth dyeing techniques passed down since the Song Dynasty.

The scenic area offers guided tours and hand-rowed boats, with some local Wuzhen homestays providing lodging.

West Gate Scenic Area

Located at No. 18 Shifo South Road, West Street, Wuzhen, adjacent to the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Wuzhen West Scenic Zone enjoys convenient transportation with direct road access to Suzhou and Tongxiang City in Jiangsu Province. Unlike East Gate, which focuses on original local life, West Gate is primarily for business travel and leisure vacations. 

Covering an area of 4.92 square kilometers, it boasts over 9,000 meters of waterways and 72 ancient bridges connecting 12 small islands, making it the ancient town with the highest density of waterways and the largest number of stone bridges in China. 

It features 250,000 square meters of Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, with Xizha Old Street stretching 1.8 kilometers. Riverside pavilions line both banks for 1.8 kilometers. The northern area encompasses over 50,000 square meters of natural wetlands.

Xizha regularly hosts the Wuzhen Theatre Festival, featuring seven indoor theaters and a water stage. Traditional experiences like open-air movies and Pingtan performances are offered, with special events during festivals like the Double Seventh Festival.

Jiangnan Hundred Beds Museum

China's first museum dedicated to collecting and exhibiting antique Jiangnan beds, located at No. 210 East Street in Wuzhen (also known as Zhaojia Hall). Spanning approximately 1,200 square meters, it displays dozens of exquisite antique Jiangnan beds from the Ming, Qing, and modern eras.

Jiangsu-Zhejiang Subprefecture

Known as the Zhejiang-Zhili Subprefecture during the Ming Dynasty, this unique government institution in Wuzhen's history oversaw salt patrols, crime suppression, and local litigation, commonly called the “Second Prefecture Office.” Established during the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty and abolished in the early Republic era, it underwent multiple reforms and relocations over its 370-year history.

Jiangnan Folk Customs Hall

This hall showcases folk customs from the late Qing Dynasty to the Republican era in Wuzhen, including longevity celebrations, marriage and childbirth rituals, and seasonal observances. Wax figures depict traditional wedding ceremonies. The Attire Hall uses artifacts, wax figures, and photographs to display clothing customs from over a century ago in Jiangnan.

The Festival Customs Hall showcases the distinct seasonal practices of Wuzhen residents throughout the year, including: New Year's greetings during Spring Festival, Lantern Festival bridge-walking, Qingming Festival incense market, Weighing people at the start of summer, Eating zongzi during Dragon Boat Festival, Sun-drying insects on Tiankuang Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival moon viewing, Climbing heights on Double Ninth Festival, and Ancestor worship at Winter Solstice.

Jiangnan Wood Carving Gallery

Originally the Xu Family Residence in Dongzha, also known as the Hundred Flowers Hall, this site is renowned for its exquisite wood carvings. The main hall and side rooms display masterpieces of ancient Chinese wood carving, depicting folk customs characteristic of the Jiangnan region.

Yu Liuliang Coin Museum

Yu Liuliang, a native of Wuzhen and renowned numismatist, authored over ten scholarly works including Chinese Flower Coins and Chinese Appraisal and Collecting. His four-decade collection spans over 26,000 historical coins from more than 230 countries and regions worldwide, dating from the Xia and Shang dynasties to modern times.

>> Related reading: 10 Best Museums in China

Wenchang Pavilion

A pavilion named Wenchang Pavilion stands on the riverside wharf before Lizhi Academy. A narrow street, Guanqian Street, separates the academy from the pavilion. In bygone days, scholars visiting Wenchang Pavilion typically arrived by small boat, accompanied by servants.

Xiuzen Temple

Located in the central market area of Wuzhen Town. In the first year of the Xianping era of the Northern Song Dynasty (998 AD), Taoist Zhang Dongming built a hut here, cultivated his spiritual practice, attained enlightenment, and founded “Xiuzen Temple.” It is counted among the Three Great Taoist Temples of Jiangnan, alongside Suzhou's Xuanyao Temple and Puyuan's Xiangyun Temple.

Ancient Theater Stage

The theater stage of Xiuzen Temple is an auxiliary structure of the temple. Originally built in the 14th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1749), it suffered repeated damage like the temple itself. The existing structure was restored in 1919. A small staircase at the rear ground floor leads to the upper platform, while a trapdoor beneath the riverside pier provides access to boats. The platform comprises two sections: the rear houses dressing rooms, while the front stage faces the square.

Huiyuan Pawnshop

Located between Yingjia Bridge and South Flower Bridge, this two-story building features a five-bay frontage with a 1.8-meter-high counter. According to the Wuzhen Town Annals, the town once hosted up to 13 pawnshops. By 1931, only Huiyuan Pawnshop remained in operation.

Mu Xin Art Museum

Constructed over four years, the museum is curated by Chen Danqing, a student of renowned Chinese painter Mu Xin. It displays Mu Xin's paintings and manuscripts from various periods.

>> Recommended Hangzhou tours to Wuzhen:

• 3 Days Hangzhou Tour
• 5 Days Leisure Luxury Tour in Hangzhou

Top Things to Do in Wuzhen, Zhejiang

Is Wwuzhen worth visiting? Of course, in addition to taking a stroll though the town, here are more ideas for what to do in Wuzhen.

Wuzhen Theatre Festival

The Wuzhen Theatre Festival was jointly initiated by Chinese theatre masters and cultural figures Chen Xianghong, Huang Lei, Sam Lai, and Meng Jinghui. Centered around four core components—Invited Productions, Young Artists Competition, Ancient Town Carnival, and Town Dialogues (including forums and workshops)—the festival leverages Wuzhen's water town scenery and diverse theater complexes to host theatrical events. Primary venues include the Wuzhen Grand Theatre and five classical small theaters.

The Ancient Town Carnival features over 2,000 street performances spanning traditional crafts, avant-garde theater, multimedia installations, and other art forms.

Riding a Gondola

Riding a gondola is the best way to explore Wuzhen water town. We especially recommend a nighttime gondola ride to see lanterns illuminating both banks, their reflections dancing on the water. Additionally, the daytime floating market (open 7:00-9:00 AM) lets you experience the locals' “morning tea” lifestyle.

Savoring Wuzhen's Local Cuisine