Wuzhen

Author: Zhang Jianzhi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-10-01
Features: Wuzhen is located at the center of the six major ancient towns in Jiangnan. It is only a 80-minute drive from Shanghai, 50 minutes from Hangzhou, and very close to Suzhou, requiring only a 60-minute drive (with your own vehicle). Click here to view the Wuzhen map.
Wuzhen in Tongxiang City is a water-town ancient town with attractions such as the Xiu Zhen Temple, the Study Site of Prince Zhao Ming, ancient Tang Dynasty ginkgo trees, Zhuan Chuan Bay, and the Double Bridges. The West Old Street is one of the best-preserved ancient architectural complexes from the Ming and Qing dynasties in China. Wuzhen is also the birthplace of the modern Chinese literary giant Mao Dun. The Mao Dun Former Residence in the town is Mao Dun's birthplace and is now a nationally protected cultural relic site. The Zhi Li Academy to the east was where Mao Dun studied in his youth and is now converted into the Mao Dun Memorial Hall.
Although Wuzhen has endured over 2,000 years of history, it has completely preserved its original water-town ancient town style and layout. The entire town is formed along rivers, with streets connected by bridges, houses built by the water, deep courtyards with high ridges and eaves, riverside platforms, covered walkways, overpasses with balconies, bamboo and stone railings, riverside pavilions, and ancient charm. The water-town is integrated, presenting a simple, clean, and tranquil scene—typical of Jiangnan's "small bridges, flowing water, and houses." The stone-paved streets, old wooden houses, and the clear lake water all seem to suggest a certain sentiment and atmosphere.
After passing the Feng Yuan Double Bridges, a small boat drifts slowly on the water, with two rural women sitting at the bow. The melodious Jiangnan folk tunes grow closer. Walking through some of the old streets today often evokes a sense of nostalgia: the old appearance remains, but the spirit is gone. However, visiting Wuzhen does not give one the feeling of "things remaining but people changing."
Today, Wuzhen is roughly divided into traditional commercial areas, traditional residential areas, water-town scenic areas, traditional dining areas, traditional cultural areas, and traditional workshops. In the workshop areas, bamboo crafts, fan-making, pottery, teapot craftsmanship, stationery, woodcarving, and spinning and weaving—once popular workshops around Tongxiang—stand side by side. In the commercial areas, shops that were once prominent in Wuzhen's history, pawn shops, and pharmacies are still preserved in their original form, though marked by the traces of time. The residential areas have been restored to their original state, and the most visiting are the elderly who still live along the streets, having shared decades of history with Wuzhen.
In the cultural area, the most memorable spots are the courtyard where blue-and-white patterned fabrics "dance in the air," the ancient opera stage with its resonant sound, and the shadow puppetry legend on the screen.
Wuzhen was named a provincial-level historical and cultural ancient town in 1991. In early last year, Tongxiang invested over 80 million RMB in large-scale protection and development of the ancient town, establishing a temporal and spatial positioning from 100 years ago during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, as well as a personalized positioning focused on the unique folk and cultural characteristics.