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The canals and lanterns of Wuzhen water town at night, Zhejiang
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Wuzhen Travel Guide — the East and West Scenic Areas, the Mao Dun hometown and the night canals

Wuzhen - the 1,300-year-old water town of the Grand Canal country - splits into the Dongzha (East) Scenic Area with its twenty-something sights (the RMB 100 ticket) and the Xizha (West) Scenic Area of the lantern-lit canals, the old post office, the Three-Inch Golden Lotus Museum and about 280 guesthouses. The hometown of the writer Mao Dun and once the seat of the Southern Liang crown prince Xiao Tong, the town keeps its stone bridges, the dye houses and the shadow plays of the old Jiangnan. This guide carries the tickets, the show times, the hotels with their phones, the bus lines from Hangzhou and Shanghai and the practical numbers from the field guide.

WuzhenXizhaDongzhaMao Dunwater townGrand CanalTongxiangJiaxing
1-2 DaysOne day covers the East Area; a night and a day add the West Area and the lantern canals
RMB 100East Area RMB 100 (same-day valid); the West Area ticket and the combined pass are set at the gates
Spring & AutumnThe green April-May and the clear September-November seasons
Free Booking HelpHotels, tickets & tours by our team
What's inside this guide Bucket List · Highlights · Q&A · Itineraries · Attractions · Activities · Where to Stay · Food · Getting Around · Shopping · Practical Info · Day Trips · Tips · Background · Plan Your Trip

Wuzhen Bucket Listthe East sights, the West night and the Mao Dun town

01

Walk the East Scenic Area

The RMB 100 ticket opens the twenty-something sights - the Huiyuan pawnshop, the Fanglu Pavilion, the shadow-play hall, the Xiuzhen Temple, the opera stage, the Mao Dun former residence, the coin museum, the woodcarving and blue-calico dye houses, the Folk Museum and the hundred-bed museum.

02

Lose the evening on the West Area

The lantern-lit canals of Xizha - the old post office (closes 21:00), the White Lotus Pagoda, the Lingshui residence and the 280 guesthouses along the water.

03

See the Mao Dun hometown

The writer's former residence at 17 Guanqian Street - the study and the family rooms of the great realist of Chinese letters.

04

Watch the shadow plays

The shadow-play hall of the East Area runs 8:50-11:20 and 13:00-16:30 - the leather figures and the lantern theatre of the town.

05

Ride the night boat

The gondola rides at RMB 120 a boat (15-20 minutes, eight people) - the canals of the West Area after dark.

06

Buy the blue calico

The indigo-dyed cloth of the town - the dye-house yards of the East Area hang the bolts to dry; the Wuzhen Theatre Festival (from 2013) is the modern signature.

Top Highlightsthe lanterns, the bridges and the dye

No.1Xizha at night

Xizha at night

The lantern reflections of the West Area.

No.2The white walls

The white walls

The canal houses under the evening lights.

No.3The pagoda over the town

The pagoda over the town

The White Lotus Pagoda above the roofs.

Questions & Answerswhat travellers always ask about Wuzhen

How many days do I need in Wuzhen?

One day covers the East Area; the classic stay is a night and a day - the East Area by day and the lantern-lit West Area in the evening.

How much is the East Area ticket?

RMB 100, valid the same day, covering the twenty-something sights of the East Area; the West Area ticket and the combined pass are set at the gate.

How do I get to Wuzhen?

From Hangzhou, the coach terminal runs 14 coaches a day at RMB 27 (about 1 hour 20 minutes); from Shanghai, take the high-speed rail to Tongxiang then the K282 bus; the Xiaoshan airport special line runs 8 coaches a day at RMB 38.

Where do I stay the night?

The West Area guesthouses along the canals (about 280) - the Xizha guesthouse at 137 Xizha Street from RMB 198, the Ziyi Hotel from RMB 188; the East Area has the Zitan hostel from RMB 60.

What are the show times?

The shadow play runs 8:50-11:20 and 13:00-16:30; the flower-drum opera 9:30-11:30 and 13:00-16:30; the high-pole show 10:30 and 14:30; the boxing boats every two hours from 8:30.

Is the West Area worth the extra night?

Yes - the lantern-lit canals of Xizha are the most photographed night in Jiangnan; the old post office, the Three-Inch Golden Lotus Museum and the 280 guesthouses make it a town of its own.

Can ToursChinaTravel arrange my Wuzhen trip?

Yes - email [email protected] or message us on WhatsApp. Our team books the tickets, the West Area guesthouses, the night boats and the Hangzhou transfers, free of charge and without obligation.

Sample Itinerariesthe East day and the two-day water town

East & West - One Day

The East sights by day and the West lanterns at night. View the plan →

Day 1

09:00 the East Area - the dye house, the hundred-bed museum and the Mao Dun home; 14:00 the West Area - the old post office and the Three-Inch Golden Lotus Museum; 18:30 the night boat and the lantern canals; 21:00 back to the coach station.

Water Town Overnight - Two Days

A night in the West Area guesthouses and a full day on the canals. View the plan →

Day 1

Morning the East Area sights; afternoon the West Area and the Lingshui residence; night the lantern canals and the opera.

Day 2

Morning the West Area bridges and the old streets; afternoon the boat ride and the dye-house quarter before the return coach.

All plans are bookable end-to-end by our team — see the full day-by-day Wuzhen itineraries hub, or the day-trip pages for single-day options.

Top Attractionstickets, hours, transport & insider tips

East Scenic Area (Dongzha)

East Scenic Area (Dongzha)

The RMB 100 ticket opens the twenty-something sights - the Huiyuan pawnshop, the Fanglu Pavilion, the shadow-play hall, the Xiuzhen Temple, the opera stage, the Mao Dun former residence, the coin museum, the woodcarving museum, the blue-calico dye house, the Gong Sheng winery, the Folk Museum, the hundred-bed museum and the Fuyuan double bridge.

RMB 100 · 08:00-17:00 · Water Town · Historic Area
View details →
West Scenic Area (Xizha)

West Scenic Area (Xizha)

The lantern-lit West Area - the old post office (closes 21:00), the White Lotus Pagoda, the Lingshui residence, the Three-Inch Golden Lotus Museum (825 pairs of shoes) and the 280 guesthouses along the canals; the ticket is set at the gate.

Set at gate · All day · Night Scene · Water Town
View details →
Mao Dun Former Residence

Mao Dun Former Residence

The home of the writer Mao Dun (Shen Yanbing) at 17 Guanqian Street - the study and the family rooms of the author of 'Midnight'; inside the East Area ticket.

In East ticket · 08:00-17:00 · Historic House · Writer
View details →
Three-Inch Golden Lotus Museum

Three-Inch Golden Lotus Museum

The museum of bound feet in the West Area - 825 pairs of embroidered shoes and the history of the custom; the strangest and most moving museum of Jiangnan.

In West ticket · 08:00-21:00 · Museum · History
View details →
The Blue-Calico Dye House

The Blue-Calico Dye House

The indigo dye house of the East Area - the bolts of printed cloth hang in the yards; the folk museum beside it keeps the looms and the dye vats.

In East ticket · 08:00-17:00 · Craft · Dye House
View details →
The Shadow-Play Hall

The Shadow-Play Hall

The leather shadow theatre of the East Area - the performances run 8:50-11:20 and 13:00-16:30 at the Hanlin Hall.

In East ticket · Show times · Shadow Play · Show
View details →
The Night Boats

The Night Boats

The gondolas of the West Area at RMB 120 a boat (15-20 minutes, eight people) - the canals under the lanterns after dark.

RMB 120 · After dark · Boat Ride · Night Scene
View details →
Fuyuan Double Bridge

Fuyuan Double Bridge

The famous double bridge of the East Area - the two stone bridges that share a pier, the symbol of the town's waterways.

In East ticket · All day · Bridge · Landmark
View details →

More in the region on the Zhejiang attractions page.

Activities & Festivalsthe shows, the festival and the night canals

The Shadow Play

The leather theatre at the East Area Hanlin Hall - 8:50-11:20 and 13:00-16:30.

The Flower-Drum Opera

The local opera on the old stage - 9:30-11:30 and 13:00-16:30 at the ancient theatre.

The Wuzhen Theatre Festival

The international theatre festival of the town since 2013 - the plays, the street performances and the canal stages each October.

The Spring Silkworm Festival

The Xiangshi spring festival of the town - the silkworm rites and the flower fairs of the fourth lunar month.

The Night Boat

The gondola ride at RMB 120 a boat - the signature evening of the West Area.

Where to Staythe guesthouses of the West and the inns of the East

Every hotel below is bookable by our team; browse the full Zhejiang hotels directory.

Yishui Ge Guesthouse

The canal guesthouse at 65 Huanhe Road - from RMB 220; +86 573 8871 2285.

Phone: +86 573 8871 2285 · Book: Zhejiang hotels · or email [email protected]

Xizha Guesthouse

The official West Area guesthouse at 137 Xizha Street - from RMB 198; +86 400 8811 516 ext. 6642.

Phone: +86 400 8811 516 · Book: Zhejiang hotels · or email [email protected]

Shuixiang Renjia

The homely guesthouse at 188 Huanhe Road - from RMB 108; +86 573 8873 0681.

Phone: +86 573 8873 0681 · Book: Zhejiang hotels · or email [email protected]

Ziyi Grand Hotel

The central hotel at 3 Ziye Road - from RMB 188; +86 573 8872 8088.

Phone: +86 573 8872 8088 · Book: Zhejiang hotels · or email [email protected]

Zitan Youth Hostel

The budget hostel at 43-45 Sizuo Street - from RMB 60; +86 573 8873 1088.

Phone: +86 573 8873 1088 · Book: Zhejiang hotels · or email [email protected]

Jintang Club

The restored mansion guesthouse at 306 Xizha Street - from RMB 1,443; +86 573 8873 1088.

Phone: +86 573 8873 1088 · Book: Zhejiang hotels · or email [email protected]

Food & Restaurantsthe river fish and the local snacks

Jiujianglou

The riverside restaurant beside the East Area opera stage at 64 Menqian Street - the braised lamb and the river fish at RMB 30-40 per head; +86 573 8871 6799.

Phone: +86 573 8871 6799

Fengyuan Restaurant

The restaurant west of the God of Wealth Bay - the local dishes at RMB 30-40 per head; +86 573 8871 8048.

Phone: +86 573 8871 8048

Sanzhenzhai Sauced Duck

The duck shop by the Yingjia bridge of the West Area - the braised duck and the pickles at RMB 20-30 per head.

The water-town snacks

The braised lamb, the white fish, the stinky tofu at RMB 10 a box, the green dumplings and the Ding Sheng cakes of the old streets.

Shopping & Souvenirscalico, wine and the sister cakes

Blue Calico

The indigo-printed cloth of the town - the scarves, the bags and the hangings of the dye-house shops.

Gu Shao Bing & Hang white chrysanthemum

The sister cakes of the town and the Tongxiang white chrysanthemum - the town grows 90% of China's supply.

Sanbai Wine

The three-white wine of the town - the rice wine of the Gong Sheng winery, bottled on the spot.

Wujin brocade

The Wuzhen brocade of the local looms - the silk and cotton weaves of the old town.

Full local-product guides live on the Zhejiang specialties page.

Getting There & Aroundby coach, rail and the K282 bus

From HangzhouFrom Hangzhou

From Hangzhou

The Hangzhou coach terminal runs 14 coaches a day at RMB 27, about 1 hour 20 minutes; the Xiaoshan airport special line runs 8 coaches a day at RMB 38.

From ShanghaiFrom Shanghai

From Shanghai

The high-speed rail to Tongxiang, then the K282 bus (7:40-17:50 every 2 hours) to the Wuzhen coach station, then the K350 to the town.

By carBy car

By car

The G60 Shanghai-Kunming expressway, the G15W Shenyang-Haikou and the S12 Shen-Jia-Hu roads meet at the Wuzhen exit - about 90 minutes from Hangzhou.

Local buses & taxisTaxis start at RMB 8 in the town; the free shuttle between the East and West areas runs 7:30-17:00.

Taxis start at RMB 8 in the town; the free shuttle between the East and West areas runs 7:30-17:00.

https://media.doubao.com/space/api/box/stream/download/all_by_mount_point/Rw10bEPvOoICXRxIdJSc1PpAn5b

The night boatThe gondolas of the West Area at RMB 120 a boat - the water way between the bridges after dark.

The gondolas of the West Area at RMB 120 a boat - the water way between the bridges after dark.

https://media.doubao.com/space/api/box/stream/download/all_by_mount_point/G3lnbKl2fogBuUx4wAEcjM8bnab

Day Trips From Wuzhenthe lake town and the canal country

Xizha Lantern Night Day Trip

Xizha Lantern Night Day Trip

The old post office, the museum and the night canals.

Nanxun Water Town Day Trip

Nanxun Water Town Day Trip

The combined-ticket lake town of the canal country.

Hangzhou Day Trip

Hangzhou Day Trip

The 1-hour-20 coach to West Lake and the Song city.

Travel Tipsthings to remember

Do the East by day, the West by night

The East Area closes at 17:00 and the West Area is built for the lanterns - the classic rhythm of the town.

The tickets are same-day

The East Area ticket is valid the same day only - plan the sights before the 17:00 close.

Book the West guesthouse early

The 280 West Area guesthouses sell out in the season - the official booking line is +86 400 8811 516.

The shows run on time

The shadow play and the opera follow the posted schedules - arrive 10 minutes early for a seat.

The night boat needs a group

The gondolas take eight people at RMB 120 a boat - share with other travellers or book the private ride.

The festival needs tickets

The Wuzhen Theatre Festival (October) sells the performance tickets separately - book the shows you want before the trip.

Practical Informationbanks, hospitals, emergencies and local help

Wuzhen tourism enquiry

The tourism information of the town.

Phone: Not published

Tongxiang No.3 Hospital

The hospital at 48 Longyuan Road.

Phone: +86 573 8871 1364

The Wuzhen Theatre Festival

The festival box office of the October performances.

Phone: Not published

Background & Historythe town of Mao Dun and the crown prince

The 1,300-year town

Wuzhen was founded in 872 AD as the garrison town of the Grand Canal country - the name joins the Wudun and Wushu of the old chronicles.

The crown prince’s seat

The Southern Liang crown prince Xiao Tong studied here - the 'Wuzhen' of the poets and the scholars of the Six Dynasties.

The hometown of Mao Dun

The writer Mao Dun (1896-1981) was born in the town - 'Midnight' and 'Spring Silkworms' carry the town's rhythms into modern Chinese literature.

The festival of 2013

The Wuzhen Theatre Festival began in 2013 - the international stages now fill the town each October.

Plan Your Wuzhen Tripattractions, hotels, flights and specialties — all in one place

Everything on ToursChinaTravel is bookable through our team by email or WhatsApp. Here's where each part of your Wuzhen trip lives on the site.

Zhejiang Attractions

Zhejiang Attractions

Star-rated sight details — hours, tickets, phones and tips for every Zhejiang attraction.

Browse Zhejiang sights
Wuzhen Hotels

Wuzhen Hotels

Star-rated hotels across Zhejiang — sorted by rating, all bookable by our team.

Book a Zhejiang hotel
Flights & Trains

Flights & Trains

Routes, airlines and schedules for flights and rail to Wuzhen.

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Zhejiang Specialties

Zhejiang Specialties

Local products, crafts and foods of Zhejiang — where to find each one.

Browse Zhejiang specialties
Zhejiang Travel Agencies

Zhejiang Travel Agencies

Licensed agencies with addresses, phones and booking contacts.

Find a Zhejiang agency
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