"A Pot of Osmanthus Wine, Half a Day of Leisure in Jiangnan" | Wuzhen Travel Guide

1. Best Time to Visit Spring and Autumn are the best seasons: March–May (Spring): The spring scenery is beautiful and the temperature is comfortable, perfect for strolling and sightseeing. Especially around the Qingming Festival, you can participate in the "Wuzhen Incense Market" intangible cultural heritage fair and experience silkworm flower divination. September–November (Autumn): The golden autumn rice fields and the ancient water town complement each other. It is recommended to avoid the crowds during the National Day holiday in September and October to experience the quiet autumn scenery of Jiangnan. Avoid peak seasons: During the summer vacation, Lunar New Year, and National Day, there are dense crowds of tourists. It is recommended to travel on a working day or during the off-season. 2. Transportation Guide High-speed rail/Train: After arriving at Tongxiang Station, transfer to bus K282 (fare is CNY 5, about 1 hour) or an autonomous driving bus (take the right window seat to capture the reflection of the "Land and Water City Gate") to reach Wuzhen directly. Long-distance bus: There are direct buses from Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou and other places. The fare from Shanghai South Station is CNY 55, and the fare from Hangzhou West Station is CNY 45. Self-driving: Get off at the Wuzhen exit of the Shanghai-Kunming Expressway and navigate to "Wuzhen Dongzha Ecological parking lot" (CNY 8/hour). Walk 200m to take a free shuttle boat. 3. Must-see Attractions and Experiences Dongzha (ticket price: CNY 110): Traditional Folk Customs: Experience the ancient bed culture interactive exhibition in the Jiangnan Hundred Bed Museum, and the tie-dyeing process in the dyeing workshop (you can see the intangible cultural heritage scraping pulp process on Wednesday mornings). Natural Landscape: Xiuzhen Taoist Temple is the best place to watch the sunset. During the free admission period in the early morning (before 7:00), you can photograph the river wharf shrouded in morning mist. Xizha (ticket price: CNY 120): Night View and Night Tour: Night cruise (CNY 120/person, it is more cost-effective to share a boat), light and water dance show, White Lotus Pagoda and bar street waterfront night view. It is recommended to wear Hanfu for an immersive experience. Cultural Attractions: Zhaoming Academy (ancient building photography), Caomubense Dyeing Workshop (DIY blue printed cloth souvenirs). New Secret Realm in 2025: Xinyunfu Courtyard: Ming and Qing Dynasty residences combined with AR technology to restore historical scenes. Immersive script tours can be booked on the fifth day of every month to taste the limited edition "Heyuan Zui Jiangnan" cocktail. Internet of Things Water Theater: The world's first 5G light and shadow theater. There are digital lantern festivals and water screen movies on weekends. After the show, you can scan the code to unlock the osmanthus-flavored lotus root powder ball unmanned boat. 4. Featured Food Recommendations Local Snacks: Gusao Cake (Xu Ji outside the North Gate of Dongzha, CNY 5/piece), Sanbaijiu Fish (farmhouse outside the scenic area, the price is only half of that in the scenic area). Night Snack Surprise: "Sanbaijiu Fermented Tofu" (CNY 15) at the "Yebai Du" stall outside Xizha, with a unique flavor of ancestral plum sauce. Internet-famous Experience: Listen to Pingtan in a teahouse: Make a reservation in advance to experience the charm of Jiangnan opera. Late Night Canteen: Osmanthus wine (CNY 20/glass) in the Xizha Bar Street, with a waterfront night view. 5. Accommodation Recommendations Inside the scenic area: Light Luxury Experience: Xinyunfu Courtyard (CNY 1,500–2,000/night), including a private pier and night cruise route. Cost-effective Choice: Xizha Inn (30% more expensive than Dongzha but quieter). Outside the scenic area: Economy: Youth Hostel "Attic by the Canal" (CNY 120/bed), you can take time-lapse photography of the ancient town on the rooftop. Artistic Style: "Zhi Guang" Homestay (CNY 600–800/night), shoot the "Moon Marsh Star River" on the top floor terrace. 6. Tips to Avoid Pitfalls and Practical Tips Equipment Recommendations: Umbrella (for sun and rain protection), comfortable shoes (a lot of walking in Xizha), sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Anti-fraud Reminder: Do not believe the saying that you can "enter the scenic area without a ticket". Be cautious when shopping in Nanzha/Beizha and bargain carefully. Itinerary Planning: One-day Essence: Dongzha Morning Mist → Muxin Art Museum AI Exhibition → Night Tour of Xizha. Two-day Deep Dive: Add Wucun farm experience and Nanzha Old Street to find Ke Si scraps the next day.