I have been to many ancient towns, but I have never been there before Wuzhen ~

It seems that this literary and artistic small town has had its own halo since its inception. This ancient town with a history of over 6000 years combines the style of a water town and cultural heritage, and is also a poetry and distant place in the hearts of many people;

The old eaves, broken walls, and flowing water tell the story of that warm ancient town time;

Light Luo Fan, Small Xuan Window, Green and Daisy Tiles, Listening to the Ancient Rhyme's Shallow Singing.

Walking leisurely on the quiet slate road in the daytime, washing in the river, morning tea by the river, and smoke rising from the riverbank, you can sit on a bench entwined with green vines and feel the tranquility and ancient charm that belongs to the essence of Wuzhen. It is warm, peaceful, and tranquil~

When feeling slightly tipsy at dusk, you can take a rowboat to wander the water alleys, drink a little wine, watch the singing on the opposite platform, and listen to two plays, all of which are romantic and comfortable unique experiences.

At any time, Wuzhen always carries its innate liveliness and enthusiasm, mixed with the clattering sound of shoe soles colliding with bluestone slabs, the sound of chatting and laughing, and the ancient charm permeating the wind, slowly embellishing the elegance and delicacy of Jiangnan people~

Leisurely in Jiangnan, I first met Wuzhen. Although it was not a long time in just 24 hours, I also visited Xizha all over. In fact, each scenic spot in Xizha has its own characteristics, whether it is the architecture itself or its own history, which can be savored and slowly felt~

Follow the friends to buy tickets and enter the park, and you can see the sign of the Wuzhen Drama Festival from afar~

After listening to her, I learned that Wuzhen holds a grand drama festival every year, with various and colorful programs such as special invited plays, youth performances, ancient town carnivals, and town dialogues, bringing vitality and color to this ancient town; And this year, the 7th Wuzhen Drama Festival will be held from October 25th to November 3rd, 2019. We hope that at that time, we will meet Wuzhen again and experience a spiritual and visual carnival~

Wuzhen Grand Theater

Walking along the small wooden bridge at the entrance of Xizha Scenic Area, the first stop you can see is the Grand Theater, which took three years and cost 400 million yuan to build. It is said to be the most beautiful theater in China. The architectural style of the theater is very in line with the style of Wuzhen Jiangnan Water Town, and from a distance it looks like a lotus rising from the water. It is a good place to take photos both day and night.

I heard that all the equipment and equipment in the theater of the Grand Theatre can meet the international standard. The entire cultural facilities integrate drama, concert performances, exhibitions, cultural and artistic exchanges, and are multifunctional. They also serve as auxiliary functions for cultural activities such as rehearsals, conferences, and research. Now they are also the recording site of the newly broadcasted Chinese talent show~

During regular drama festivals, there are also frequent events held here, so next time if there is a chance, we must join in the excitement of the drama festival~

【 Muxin Art Museum 】

The Muxin Art Museum is a landmark building in "Cultural Wuzhen" and a must visit destination for many literary and artistic youths. Its wooden appearance stands against the water and is adjacent to the Wuzhen Grand Theater. This exquisite art museum was designed by a disciple of the architectural master I.M. Pei to commemorate and showcase the lifelong efforts and aesthetic heritage of the painter, writer, and poet Mr. Muxin. It is also the most comprehensive collection of Muxin's works~

According to the ladies, the entire art museum is divided into two levels: the basement level and the first and second floors. There is a coffee shop on the basement level, while the first and second floors above ground collect some precious manuscripts, paintings, written works, etc. of the old man. Occasionally, there are also special exhibitions, concerts, and reading sessions.

Before coming to Wuzhen, you only briefly heard of Muxin. After arriving in Wuzhen, you will slowly approach the world in his paintings and experience up close how Mr. Muxin can create such magnificent works in every inch~

Ticket: 20 yuan

Opening hours: 09:00-17:30 (summer), 09:00-17:00 (winter);

Ticket sales will be suspended from 17:00 to 16:30 (Tuesday Sunday), and will not be open to the public on Mondays.

[Grass and Wood Natural Color Dyeing Workshop]

Just ahead is the photography destination here - the Grass and Wood Natural Color Dyeing Workshop. In the large dyeing workshop, rows of printed fabrics hang densely in the wind, with traditional blue printed fabrics being the most eye-catching.

The colorful cotton fabric fluttering in the wind and the romantic weaving of various colors make the entire courtyard full of artistic atmosphere. Let's invite some friends to come and stroll together, and in just a few minutes, the Ins blockbuster can be successfully produced~

Water Market

This is a place where residents of Wuzhen used to gather for buying and selling in the morning market by boat, and it is also one of the most distinctive places in the water towns of Jiangnan. Every morning, there are small boats carrying fresh vegetables and domestic livestock to sell on the well connected rivers. More importantly, there will also be a boardwalk here for visitors to stop and admire the big red koi in the river pond~

Opening hours: 09:00-22:00 (Monday Sunday, January 1st to December 31st)

Shen Family Hall/Shen Family Theater

The Shen Family Hall is the front hall of the Shen Family Theater, which is a collection of various Wuzhen Drama Festivals. The various cultural and creative works here also adhere to the fashion attitude of the festival, looking exquisite and trendy.

The Shen Family Hall is the headquarters of the Wuzhen Drama Festival and a great place that many drama enthusiasts cannot miss; Walking back from the front hall is the Shen Family Theater here. The entire garden faces north and south, with four rooms and five entrances, each with a courtyard and a gatehouse. Now, the five small buildings and five courtyards have also been redesigned~

Chinese Music Theatre

There are two small blackboards on both sides of the archway of the National Music Theater, which are used to announce some performance information. On the same day, the Pingtan performance of Wuzhen Bookstore and the outdoor movie screening information of Sun and Moon Square in the evening were announced. If you stay overnight in Wuzhen, it is also a good choice to come to the National Music Theater~

[Like Water and Time Winery]

The Time like Lounge is Huang Lei's industry in Wuzhen and is also open to the public on a regular basis. During the drama festival, Huang Lei would use it to receive friends. If you want to meet a big shot, it's definitely right to come here for a late night snack during the festival~

Rhinoceros Cafe in Love

There is a coffee shop named after love in Wuzhen - Love Rhino Cafe. The graffiti on the walls, the drama festival posters by the window, and the rolling drama festival videos on the TV all exude a pure atmosphere of love.

Water Theater

When strolling, I always pass by a large circular open-air square, and only by listening to the introduction of the people here do I know that this is the water theater in Wuzhen;

A performance stage with a lake of clear water and a half cut bridge, blending the graceful temperament of a water town in Jiangnan;

Behind them, more than 2300 audience seats paved with logs spread out in a fan-shaped manner, gradually rising layer by layer, taking a panoramic view of the main stage in this nearly 7000 square meter crescent shaped lake~

However, there are usually no performances at the Water Theater. Only during the Wuzhen Drama Festival will there be arrangements for domestic and foreign theatrical performances!!

White Lotus Pagoda

If the most lively part of this trip is undoubtedly the White Lotus Pagoda in the west gate of Wuzhen; This is the tallest building in Wuzhen, with seven levels of height, echoing the Shousheng Pagoda in Dongzha. It is known as the "one view, two towers, nine temples, and thirteen temples", and one of the two towers is the White Lotus Pagoda Temple.

Building along the river, the water shadows are graceful, and the boatmen who come and go form a beautiful picture of a graceful Jiangnan water family. With a glance intoxicated by the fleeting years, how many old times have been written into poetry?

Wucun

If you still have time, why not take a tour bus and continue on to Wucun to experience the peaceful scenery of Wuzhen. Wucun is a village next to Wuzhen, hidden between the countryside and nestled by the Beijing Hangzhou Grand Canal, preserving the original Jiangnan village scenery.

Unlike the bustling Wuzhen, Wucun here is much quieter and more low-key, with open fields and lush lotus trees. In the hot summer season, it also adds a touch of coolness.

Rowing on the river, gazing at the families on both sides from afar amidst the sound of oars;

Sitting leisurely in a teahouse, three or two friends chat and laugh together about the past and present;

In a secluded corner, the sound of the qin is shrouded in tranquility, enjoying the tranquility of time~

[Pillow Water Hotel]

The accommodation in Wuzhen is basically divided into two parts: inside the Xizha Scenic Area and outside the scenic area. Outside the scenic area, there are mostly local self operated homestays with varying prices. If you want to live in Wuzhen, it is still recommended that you stay in the scenic area, especially in Xizha.

And if you come to Xizha, I really recommend you to come to the Pillow Water Hotel here~

The Zhenshui Resort Hotel is based on the traditional local architecture and private garden style of Wuzhen, incorporating modern decorative styles. Living by the water, it is quiet and elegant, and the sliding windows provide a soft and beautiful view of the town. With a cup of tea or a strong aroma of coffee, the charm of petty bourgeoisie immediately spreads

Walking into the pillow water resort hotel, the antique interior decoration and the exquisite bedroom of the Republic of China style, at a glance, there is a hint of poetry fading into the picture, refreshing the heart; The clean and tidy bed, simple yet thoughtful decoration, fully prepared toiletries, and elegant and tranquil environment all make people highly appreciate the boutique hotels near this scenic area.

【 Food Recommendations 】

There are a lot of delicious food in Wuzhen scenic spot, including home style dishes, Tongxiang pot, Anhui Cuisine cuisine, mutton noodles, western food and snacks~

If you're tired of home cooked dishes, why don't you come and experience the unique snacks here~

Dingsheng Cake, black rice, Chuantou Zong, scholar mutton noodles, osmanthus rice dumpling, etc. are often recommended;

If you want to satisfy the occasional petty bourgeoisie sentiment, why not go to Wucun to experience a local exquisite afternoon tea and dessert~

[Related Strategy Tips]

Wuzhen is located at the northern end of Tongxiang City, on the west side of the Beijing Hangzhou Grand Canal, bordering Huzhou City to the west and Wujiang County in Jiangsu Province to the north. It is the junction of two provinces and three cities. As one of the first batch of Chinese historical and cultural towns, one of the top ten charming towns in China, a nationally beautiful town with a beautiful environment, and a national 5A level scenic spot, Wuzhen is known as the "last pillow water family in China".

1. Tickets

Dongzha: 110 RMB; Xizha: 150 RMB; East West Joint Ticket: 190 RMB

And our main destination for this trip is still Xizha. If there is enough time, it is recommended to buy a connecting ticket and stay in Wuzhen for a longer period of time;

2. Transportation

(1) Airplane: There is no airport in Wuzhen. If you take a plane, you can go to nearby cities such as Shanghai and Hangzhou in Tongxiang, and then transfer to a train or long-distance bus;

(2) High speed rail: The train can go to Tongxiang Railway Station, and then take bus K282 to Wuzhen Bus Station;

(3) Bus: Take the long-distance bus directly to Tongxiang Bus Station and then transfer to Wuzhen Bus Station. There are direct trips to Wuzhen Bus Station in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Xitang, etc. After arriving at Wuzhen Bus Station through the above methods, you can take bus K350 to reach the Dongzha and Xizha scenic spots in Wuzhen; There are free shuttle buses available between Dongzha and Xizha scenic spots, and you can also walk.

Overall, the most convenient one is still the bus. Nowadays, many places have buses that directly drive to Xizha or Wuzhen Scenic Area~

3. Opening hours:

08:00-17:30 (summer), 08:00-17:00 (winter);

7: 30-21:30 (Service Center Wharf, Andufang Wharf, Wangjinli Wharf, Ruyiqiao Wharf, Wujiangjun Temple Wharf);

8: 00-17:00 (Lingshuiju Wharf, Zhenshui West Wharf, Longxingtian Wharf).

4. Other tips;

(1) Alipay can be used in all Wuzhen scenic spots, and it is no problem without wallet;

(2) The scenic spot is not open to the public during the World Internet Conference at the end of November and the beginning of December every year. You need to show your certificate to enter.