Wuzhen Water Town
Wuzhen Water Town
4.5
Points of Interest & LandmarksScenic Walking Areas
7:20 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
7:20 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
7:20 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
7:20 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
7:20 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
7:20 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
7:20 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
7:20 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Wuzhen, a 1300-year-old water town on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, is a national 5A scenic area and one of China's top ten historical & cultural towns. Located on the Hangzhou-Jiaxing-Huzhou Plain in northern Zhejiang Province, it is at the center of the golden triangle consisting of Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou. Wuzhen can be easily accessed through a number of expressways and national highways. In 2001, Wuzhen was named as a candidate for UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage List. At the end of 2006, it was included in the revised List of China's Candidates for UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. In 2009, Wuzhen was named as the first PATA eco-tourism destination in Mainland China. The ancient Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal flows through the town, which is divided by waterways into four areas, Dongzha, Xizha, Nanzha, and Beizha. Since its foundation in 872 A.D., Wuzhen has never changed its name, location, waterways, or way of life. Traditional buildings remain intact today even after hundreds years of weathering.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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  • CLO2509
    Melbourne, Australia188 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful water town
    Spent a night at homestay in Wuzhen Xizha area. The town is clean and the scenery is really beautiful. Free delivery of luggage from the counter to the homestay. Overall an excellent service experience. Having the breakfast at the breakfast place inside Xizha is also an unforgettable experience. The nearest train station is Tong Xiang station, which requires taxi ride to get there.
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written January 12, 2024
  • Yan C
    Hong Kong, China882 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A tourist resort not to be missed
    This is one of China’s famous cultural heritage. For those growing up in the countryside, this old town is perhaps nothing very special. But, for those living in the city, this is a gem not to be missed. The old town is crisscrossed by waterways. The shores are lined with old buildings built during unknown years but well preserved. The stone bridges crossing the waterways come in different shapes and sizes. Throughout the day and the evening, small rowing boats stream along the waterways with tourists. The place is a heaven for photographers, professional or not. There are shuttle buses taking the visitors to different hotels inside the town, but you would not see them as they travel on their special lanes, hidden mostly from sight. A pity is that despite an entrance fee close to 200 yuan, the resort is still flooded with tourists, especially during holiday time.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written February 20, 2024
  • Yap M
    Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany58 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A unique picturesque water town
    A very unique place. The facade of buildings and architecture are different compared to Amsterdam canals. Ensure that you visit the main entrance which opens till 10 pm. This way you can admire both the day and night scenery. The smaller entrance/ section closes at 6pm. Entrance fee per person is 150 yuan. A lot of people will dress up for photography, so you will be competing with them to take the picturesque scene. Both ride is a must for 65 yuan per person ( max 8 pax on a boat) It is a good one day trip to remember.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written May 26, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles2,637 reviews
Excellent
1,306
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981
Average
307
Poor
28
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14

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Stephen C
Singapore, Singapore1,144 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2020 • Couples
This is a beautiful water town located less than two hours drive from Shanghai. There are quite a few water towns around Shanghai, but this by far is the best.

The township has done a very good job of preserving the original architecture. It is clean and well organized.

You can do a day trip from Shanghai, but I would recommend a 1 night stay within the West or East Zha (gates). The reason is so that you can enjoy the wonderful scenery in the morning before the gates are open to day trippers. The highlight must be the lighting along the banks of the river town because it’s awesome so you must definitely make it a point to stay for the evening.

Entrance fee for the West park is 150 RMB. If you are staying within the park, you will get a 20% discount for the entrance fee.
Written June 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

expat84
Arizona37 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
We really recommend this little canal town. Some of China's greatest painters and writers are from here, and there are many historic buildings and sights. It's fun to wander the streets and poke into the many shops selling everything from clothing to souvenirs. Restaurants are good, too. Be sure to ride in one of the boats!
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cecilia chin
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia181 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 • Family
An ancient town with the charm of the water flowing from the canals, preserving the ancient appearance. The view of exactly of what is usually seen in the Chinese ink wash painting. A worth while experience and a pleasant relaxation place. Besides, the musuem that arouse lots of interest and the blue printed cloth of China manufacturing place.
Written August 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

UnclePen
Creedmoor, NC1,555 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2021 • Couples
This place feels totally manufactured and contrived, and when you read about how it was rebuilt and re-developed over recent years, you realize it is.

Basically the scheme is, you pay 150Y per person to get into the old town to snap some photos, to shop in the developer owned stores, eat in the developer owned restaurants, and stay in the developer owned Hotels (over priced and lacking alot.)

Save your money and go somewhere authentic during your limited time in China. This place will be a disappointment.
Written November 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Yan C
Hong Kong, China882 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
This is one of China’s famous cultural heritage. For those growing up in the countryside, this old town is perhaps nothing very special. But, for those living in the city, this is a gem not to be missed. The old town is crisscrossed by waterways. The shores are lined with old buildings built during unknown years but well preserved. The stone bridges crossing the waterways come in different shapes and sizes. Throughout the day and the evening, small rowing boats stream along the waterways with tourists. The place is a heaven for photographers, professional or not. There are shuttle buses taking the visitors to different hotels inside the town, but you would not see them as they travel on their special lanes, hidden mostly from sight. A pity is that despite an entrance fee close to 200 yuan, the resort is still flooded with tourists, especially during holiday time.
Written February 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Yap M
Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany58 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Family
A very unique place. The facade of buildings and architecture are different compared to Amsterdam canals. Ensure that you visit the main entrance which opens till 10 pm. This way you can admire both the day and night scenery. The smaller entrance/ section closes at 6pm. Entrance fee per person is 150 yuan.
A lot of people will dress up for photography, so you will be competing with them to take the picturesque scene.
Both ride is a must for 65 yuan per person ( max 8 pax on a boat)
It is a good one day trip to remember.
Written May 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Shopagaga
Hakata, Japan207 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
The Watertown is well organized- in terms of its layout. Entrance fees vary. Crowd Control is minimal. We visited during the peak season in August, on a cool night. Do avoid if you are claustrophobic and visit in the morning before the tour coaches come in.
Written August 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Best food best hotel
Hong Kong, China6,080 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Solo
The dusk in Wuzhen is beautiful. The night scene is also good, very quaint and unique. Those who like to visit the ancient town can walk, and those who don't want to walk can take a boat. , Take a ride from Hangzhou. The price is not expensive, less than 200 yuan. But there is a ticket.
This place is more commercial. Residents rarely stay here at night, and most of those who stay at night are tourists. I heard that many inns have no employees at night. Fortunately, I live outside the west shed of Wuzhen. I am glad that I didn't live in Wuzhen, which is a bit gloomy at night. And the lights are very dim at night in Wuzhen. If your homestay is in a remote place in the scenic spot, you may get lost. I walked into one of the alleys and couldn't get out after three turns. In the end, I followed a few men to successfully leave. I almost cried! Single ladies are advised to live outside Wuzhen and have dinner outside Wuzhen at night, otherwise if you can't find the way, you really don't know what to do like me! To be honest, this terrible experience made me dare not return to Wuzhen again.
Google
Written March 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alberto C
Vicenza, Italy174 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Solo
I have visited many cities in China and Wuzhen is definitely one of those that deserve the most. Village in "ancient" style that you visit in 1 or 2 days on foot, walking through the canals.
Recommended visit during the evening, when the city is decorated with LEDs.

To reach it you have to arrive at Tongxiang train station (in the middle of nowhere) and take the bus which takes 1 hour.
Automatically translated
Written August 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marit B
20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Solo
Despite being turned into an 'amusement park' (with ticket gates, shops and boats), it is beautiful! I have only been in the northern part (Xizha scenic area) because this is also open in the evening and then beautifully illuminated. The entrance fee is 150 CNY and the ticket is great for 1 day. There are floor plans everywhere and clean toilets. There are also many restaurants that stay open in the evening. Very nice to walk through this old town and a feast for the eyes!
Automatically translated
Written October 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Wuzhen Water Town - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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