Dongzha for the lived-in town, Xizha for the two hours after the lanterns come on
Twelve and a half hours with a night at the end: Dongzha in the afternoon, Xizha after dark when the lanterns come on and the day crowds have gone.
If you need to be back in Hangzhou by dinner, take the afternoon-only version.
Wuzhen is two separate ticketed areas, 20 minutes apart by shuttle. Dongzha is the older streets; Xizha is the restored, quieter half.
Set pick-up points in Hangzhou (Wulin Square, East Railway Station area); departure confirmed the night before
Local time (GMT+8). A free shuttle links the two zones.
Board at Wulin Square or near the East Railway Station; about 90 minutes
Mao Dun’s former residence, the Jiangnan bed museum, the indigo calico workshop, shadow puppetry at the old stage. About two hours
Braised goat, steamed white fish, dingSheng cake. Outside Dongzha is cheaper than inside
Free shuttle, about 15 minutes
The indigo cloth hung in the drying yard is the most photographed frame in town; the academy is where Prince Zhaoming of Liang studied
The museum is ¥20 and closes Mondays. Skip it and take tea by the canal instead until the light softens
The pagoda looks over the Grand Canal; the double-bridge frame is best in the ten minutes around sunset
Lights at 19:00 — lanterns and reflections down the canal. They go out from 21:30
About 90 minutes
Drop-off at the meeting point
About 6 km on foot over stone flags and steps. Strollers work in Xizha; Dongzha’s lanes are tighter.
$82 per person on the group tour, or from $256 per vehicle for a private car with driver and guide. The group price includes the driver, guide and admission; the private price is for the whole vehicle, whatever the party size.
It runs 09:00 to 21:30 — about 12.5 hours from pick-up to drop-off, including the drive. If you are catching a train or flight the same evening, book it for after 23:00.
Hangzhou city meeting points. Your driver and guide meet you there; the exact spot is confirmed the day before travel.
Wuzhen Dongzha admission (¥110); Wuzhen Xizha admission (¥150); Air-conditioned coach and Mandarin-speaking guide.
Lunch and dinner; Mu Xin Art Museum ¥20.
Two days. We do not accept same-day or next-day bookings because the car, guide and admission have to be arranged in advance. Cancellation is free up to 7 days before the tour; inside that it steps to 20% (6–3 days) and 60% (2–1 days), and nothing is refunded on the day itself.
Restored rather than rebuilt, which is why it feels inhabited: stone lanes, an arched bridge every few steps, water pavilions, and boats poled by men who clearly love the place.
修旧如旧的乌镇古色古香，石板小街、几步一座拱桥，还有遍布的水榭楼台和枕水人家，坐着乌篷船仿佛回到旧时光。
The classic Jiangnan look — dark timber, whitewash, water lanes — and quiet enough outside the main street to actually enjoy. Best walked slowly, in the evening when the lanterns come on.
古色古香的民居依水而建，石板巷陌间尽显江南韵味，沿途风景很美，适合慢慢散步、拍照。
Worth staying into the evening: the site puts on small performances in the courtyards and the whole place lights up. A completely different mood from the daytime tour groups.
非常值得去，晚上五六点景区时不时有表演，夜景灯光氛围感拉满，和白天完全不同的感觉。
