How to Visit Wuzhen Water Town from Hangzhou and Shanghai

Wuzhen Water Town is one of the best preserved ancient water towns in the Yangtze River Delta, China. Other famous water towns include Tongli Water Town, Zhouzhuang Water Town, Nanxun Water Town and so on.

Wuzhen Water Town is located in Tongxian, Zhejiang Province, 130 km southwest of Shanghai and 90 km northeast of Hangzhou. It is a two-and-half-hour’s drive from Shanghai to Wuzhen. You may take a daily long distance bus from Shanghai South Bus Station to Wuzhen.There are also daily buses from Hangzhou General Passenger Bus Station ( east station ) to Wuzhen, a two-hour’s drive.

Wuzhen Water Village have two zones which are open to tourists: Wuzhen Dongzha (East Scenic Zone) an Wuzhen Xizha (West Scenic Zone). Both the two zones are charged separately. Most people choose to visit East Area which is getting very crowded and commercialized. Some local residents still live in Wuzhen Dongzha (East Area).

Wuzhen Xizha ( West Area) is composed of 13 isles circled by water, next to the Grand Canal, a typical Yangtze River Delta water village. There is shuttle bus service running between the two zones – Wuzhen East Scenic Zone and West Scenic Zone. Entrance Fee: RMB120 (day time ) and RMB80 (in the evening).

You will see old wooden houses built on water, stone arch or flat bridges, stone pathway and elaborate wood and stone carvings. Many of the riverside buildings have been transformed into restaurants, bars, shops, guesthouses and more.

Below are some of the pictures taken on my recent trip to Wuzhen, a good side trip either from your Hangzhou tour or Shanghai tour.

East Scenic Zone (Dongzha) 1