Located in the south of Yangtze River Delta, Wuzhen is in the center of Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou. This small town, with its black tied and timber framework houses, contrasts sharply with its white walls and gray flagging, bringing to mind a Chinese ink and wash painting. The name “water town” is especially apt; besides lying on the Grand Canal, the settlement is completely encircled by two rivers - the Dong Shi and a smaller tributary, which meet at a T-junction. No matter where you stand, water provides the backdrop and the raison d'être of the whole town. Mao Dun, a great modern writer and the first cultural minister of the People's Republic of China, was born here.

Scenic Spots

Wine Distillery workshop

Wine Distillery workshop lies at the old street. Wuzhen's rice wine is called “San Bai Wine”. In the Wine Distillery workshop, you can not only have a chance to drink the pure “San Bai Wine”, but also watch the process of making the wine.

Teahouse

In Wuzhen, you can find that many local people, especially old people, like to drink tea in teahouse. Why is the teahouse business still booming after hundred and thousand years of history? One important reason is that since the ancient times, teahouses have played the role as an important occasion for normal people to exchange information and handle with public affairs. A teahouse is a Xinhua News Agency of the small town, from where various information is published.

Shadow Play

Shadow play is also known as leather-silhouette show. It is a traditional folk art. In the old times, in the festivals and occasions of celebrations, shadow play always played an important role and it was one of the major entertainment forms. Today, people can hardly have a chance to appreciate this ancient folk art. But Wuzhen Town still remains the performance of shadow play. The themes of the shadow play are mostly historical stories and legendaries, such as “the Monkey King fighting against the Ox King”, “Outlaws of the Marsh”.

Martial Arts Performance on Boat

On the river throughout the year, there are martial arts performances performed by the warriors wearing warriors’ suit. When performing, the warriors with machetes, sword, or gun fight stormily and accompanied by gong and drum. That is Wuzhen’s traditional folk program, the martial arts performance. Martial arts performance is known as boxing boat. This performance derives from the official hitting the robbers on the river in the ancient time.

Bridge in the Bridge

Tongji Bridge, also known as Xigao Bridge, was reconstructed 500 years ago. Afterwards, it had experienced another five times of reconstruction. Renji Bridge also experienced several times of reconstruction in the history. Since Tongji Bridge stretches from east to west and Renji Bridge stretches from north to south. From the distance, you can see two bridges seem to intersect. And from either hole of the two bridges, one can always see the other bridge, which looks like a round moon in the well. That is why the two bridges are also called “bridge in the bridge”.

God Fortune Bend

God Fortune Bend known as boat bending bay, assembles special buildings here. Fairs were held here in ancient time. There are halls, corridor sheds, water pavilions, and variety of buildings bringing the feeling as it is centuries ago. There are residences finely divided stretching out to ancient streets, corridor sheds and water pavilions to the green water and blue sky, showing you the beautiful scene of the water town.

Water Pavilion

Most of Wuzhen's streets and residences were built by brook and river. The residential houses by the river are partly stretched out, supported by stakes or stone piles hammered in the water and with boards arranged upon. These buildings are called water pavilions. Water pavilions usually have windows on three sides, from which people can watch the beautiful scenery of the Shi River. Living in the water pavilions, you will get the feeling of “resting on the river”. And when you wake up from the dreams in the midnight, you can hear the sound of rowing boats floating in the air with particular spice.

Old Street and Bank

The quantity and scale of Wuzhen street, workshop, lane are extraordinary, commonly called as having four several dozen lanes, eight workshops. These old streets of old slab stone without exception pave the ground, both sides are the shop and house owed by a citizen among one that separate out in the wall of head of the horse. Doors belong to plank mostly, incomplete carving let people feel the infinite glamour of time with mottled paint.

Local Products

San Bai Wine

Wuzhen’s San Bai Wine is very famous. Historically Wuzhen’s Gongsheng Wine Shop produces the best of San Bai Wine and has been widely known. The wine is noted for being pure, mild, sweet and tasty. Local people used to entertain guests with San Bai Wine during the spring festival.

Gusao Cake

The town has hundreds of years of history in making this kind of snack food. The making of the food is: mix completely the best flour, sugar and ground sesames, use mold to make cake. The cake tastes sweet and soft.