"Wuzhen Dongzha 乌镇东栅 is like the gritty indie film version of China’s water towns – raw, unpolished, and completely unbothered by neon lights or commercialized stage sets. While West Scenic Zone struts around like a Tang Dynasty celebrity, 东栅 just shrugs and keeps things real.

Mornings here are cinematic an elderly man rows past collecting river trash with the patience of someone who has seen more dynasties than tourists. Many residents have long since moved out leaving behind elderly parents who run tiny shops selling handmade trinkets and snacks – authenticity with wrinkles included.

By night the place empties out into near silence. The lanterns are sparse the alleys fall quiet and you suddenly feel transported back centuries. It’s not polished or staged just the pure ancient town experience the kind that makes you forget what century you’re in.

If you want Disney-fied nostalgia go West. If you want the quiet raw heartbeat of a 1300-year-old water town that gives you history straight no chaser come to 东栅. Five stars for being beautifully human and unapologetically authentic."

The Compass Guy

"Overall the place is so nice. It was raining, but people are still enjoying under the hot and humid shower. But because it pours in the afternoon. The night view making the looks so good.

Even though it was a weekday, already quite pack. So if you really want to come, please come on weekdays. You cannot imagine for weekend.

Although the place is quite commercialised but overall is really a nice place to soak your day in. Eat, Drink, Stroll along the street.

Worth to take the boat ride by the canal."

JooZoo WG

"Wuzhen is a historic scenic town in the West of China, part of Tongxiang, located in Jiaxing in the north of Zhejiang Province, China (about 70 km from Suzhou, 85 km from Hangzhou and 135 km from Shanghai). This ancient town has more than 7,000 years of civilized history and 1,300 years established history (it was primarily built in the 7th century during the Tang dynasty).

Wuzhen is in a list of 5A, the most important and best-maintained tourist attractions in the People's Republic of China, given the highest level in the rating categories used by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. As of 2025, there are 359 tourist attractions listed as 5A. It is also considered as one of the most famous of China's top 10 historic and cultural towns, and still has preserved profound folk culture.

Wuzhen is composed of four parts. The West Gate (Xizha) and East Gate (Dongzha) are the scenic areas requiring tickets for visiting, while the southern part and northern part are the living quarters for the locals. Ticket for West Gate is CNY 150 per person, Rowing-boat fee is CNY 60 per person and CNY 480 per boat (up to 8 persons). Ticket for East Gate is CNY 110 per person. Rowing-boat fee is CNY 30 per person and CNY 160 per boat (up to 4 persons) or CNY 240 (up to 8 persons).

Spring is considered the best time to visit this “Venice of the Orient” town. Visitors can come here from late February to May, during this time the weather here is quite pleasant and comfortable, favorable for all sightseeing activities. Besides, spring is also the time when nature develops its freshest, with plenty of flowers and flora to reward visitors. Not only that, a little fog and spring drizzle couled make this town somewhat shimmer and magical, like a “fairyland”.

If you cannot come to Wuzhen in spring, autumn (from September to November) is also the recommended time to visit this town. The cool weather with clear blue sky, clear water that can see the bottom is also a great experience for a trip to Wuzhen.

Winter is cold in Wuzhen. However, tourists can enjoy a less-crowded time during then and will probably get a stunning snowy water town if snow comes. Summer is quite hot and a high-season of local tourism, remember avoiding the noon heat and be prepared to thread your way through the crowds of visitors.

Must-do activities in Wuzhen including: Boat-trip on small river canal through the town, enjoy the scenery of traditional buildings on both sides, with white walls and black tiles are scattered in an orderly manner, some buildings are covered with lush green. As well as visit famous scenic bridges (Fengyuan Twin bridges, Tongji bridge, Renji bridge). Best travelling after sun-set to enjoy the dreamy night view of lanterns reflected in the water and ancient bridge lights; Walking on stone-paved alleys to visit numerous shops, restaurants, teahouses (Longjing tea tastes great), ancient old residences, watch blue printed cloth and high-pole boat performances, visit White Lotus pagoda, Hundred-beds museum, Jiangnan Woodcarving museum, Wedding museum, Mao Dun memorial hall, Xi Qing hall, Family house of Muxin, Sanbai liquor workshop, Herb and Tree dyeing workshop and other attractions...

If wanna enjoy stunning night views and colorful nightlife of Wuzhen, it’s better to stay overnight in the West Gate Scenic Area (Xizha), for you can keep touring in the next morning without buying another entrance ticket and hotels here also have better facilities and provide more luxurious service. Some properties also include sightseeing tickets, boat tickets, and meals. The scenic area is managed uniformly, and the quality of food and accommodation is guaranteed."

Dinh Tuan