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Wuzhen Xizha
乌镇西栅景区 · Tongxiang, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
A fully preserved Jiangnan water-town district: an evening in Xizha and Mao Dun's former home explain the modern transformation of Jiangnan market towns.
Know before you go
- Don't horse around on stone bridges and landing steps — you might fall in
- residents still live normally on the old streets, so don't walk into homes or make noise.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Wuzhen is a Jiangnan water town with more than 1,300 years of history. The Xizha district, developed with conservation in mind, keeps intact the street layout of homes 'pillowed on the water' since the Ming and Qing: stone bridges, old streets, dye houses and soy-sauce workshops line the Xishi River, with rowing boats gliding between them. Wuzhen is also the hometown of the writer Mao Dun, whose story 'The Lin Family Shop' depicts its market-town life; his former home is in the Dongzha area. Since 2014 the World Internet Conference has been permanently based in Wuzhen, where the old town meets digital civilisation — a vivid example of the modern transformation of Jiangnan market towns.
Local customs
- An evening in Xizha is Wuzhen's 'standard move', with lights reflected in the water lanes
- the floating market opens in the early morning, boatmen rowing and calling out their wares just as in the water towns a century ago
- around Tongxiang there are dragon-boat races at Duanwu and incense fairs at Qixi, and festivals in the old town mostly follow old customs.
Religion & beliefs
- A secular water-town district. The town's Xiuzhen Taoist Temple and Zhaoming Temple are historic sites you can visit
- keep quiet when worshippers are praying.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
China: don't get physical in a dispute
- Walk away from an argument and call the police if needed
- Pushing, shoving or fighting
Whoever starts it, taking part in a fight can bring a fine or detention, and the injured party usually demands compensation.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: China travel advice
China: carry your original passport
- Foreign visitors should carry their original passport
- Carrying only a copy or photo of your passport
Police make random ID checks and do not accept printouts; if you cannot show your passport, you may be fined or detained.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: China travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- Don't horse around on stone bridges and landing steps — you might fall in
- residents still live normally on the old streets, so don't walk into homes or make noise.
Locals appreciate DO
- Tongxiang people love strolling in Xizha and walking by the river with their families in the evening
- young people like staying in Xizha guesthouses to 'sleep pillowed on the water'.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- Xizha is highly commercialised: the streets are as neat as new and less authentic than undeveloped old towns. Stay a night for the night views and the morning water market
- Dongzha and Xizha are ticketed separately, so check for combined tickets. Check tickets and opening hours on the official website.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Red-braised lamb
- Whitebait fish
- Dingsheng cake
Braised mutton (Wuzhen winter mutton noodles / clay pot), whitebait fish (steamed Lake Tai whitefish), dingsheng cakes, gusao cakes (sesame pastries), sanbai liquor (local rice wine)
| Where to eat | Guesthouse restaurants inside the Xizha scenic area and breakfast at the floating market; local places in Dongzha / the town are cheaper |
|---|---|
| Typical price per person | CNY 80–130 inside the scenic area, CNY 50–80 in town |
| Tips | If you stay at a guesthouse in the scenic area, you can order the landlady's home cooking — book a day ahead; mutton is richest in winter. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
Photos
Photos
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N509FZ · CC BY-SA 4.0
Wanderingchina · CC BY 4.0
Gerbil · CC BY-SA 3.0
Sources & verification notes
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