Should I visit Dongzha or Xizha in Wuzhen?

Xizha (West Gate) is the better pick for most foreign visitors. It is the larger, more upmarket zone, preserved almost like a movie set with restaurants, boutiques and B&Bs, and it is where the night experience shines. Dongzha (East Gate) is the smaller original tourist zone. A combo ticket covers both if you have a full day.

Is the Wuzhen night tour worth it?

Yes, the Xizha night visit is the highlight most travellers remember. With a roughly 5 PM entry you get lantern-lit canals, gondola rides and canal-side dinner, a genuinely magical scene. Staying overnight in a canal-side B&B lets you enjoy the town after day-trippers leave, when the lanes are quietest.

How do I get from Hangzhou to Wuzhen?

There are two routes. A direct bus from Hangzhou Bus Station takes about 90 minutes. Alternatively, take a high-speed train roughly 30 minutes to Tongxiang, then a taxi about 30 minutes to the town. Booking with your passport is required, so carry it for ticketing and entry.

Wuzhen Water Town, Hangzhou: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

1300-year-old Jiangnan water town — black-tile-and-white-wall canal houses, hosts the annual World Internet Conference. The Venice of southern China.

At a glance

What it is: Neighborhood
Also known as: 乌镇 (Wū Zhèn)
Opening hours: 7 AM – 10 PM
Time needed: Half day (or overnight)
Best time to visit: Xizha night entry 5 PM
Getting there: Taxi / DiDi from metro
English: English tours available
Cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard
Entry: Passport booking required · tickets & prices →
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi
Address: Wuzhen, Tongxiang, Jiaxing · 嘉兴市桐乡市乌镇镇

See Wuzhen Water Town tickets & tours

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Wuzhen Water Town map & getting there

Map of Wuzhen Water Town (乌镇) in Hangzhou — nearby streets and metro stations

Amap (in China)Open in Google Maps Apple Maps Interactive Hangzhou map →

Taxi / DiDi? Show the driver: 嘉兴市桐乡市乌镇镇 · Wuzhen, Tongxiang, Jiaxing

Wuzhen has been a market town for 1300 years — 90 min by bus from Hangzhou, the prototype Jiangnan ‘water town’ (canals + arched stone bridges + black-tile-white-wall Ming-Qing wooden houses). Two scenic areas: Dongzha (East Gate, the original tourist zone, ¥110) and Xizha (West Gate, the larger, more upmarket area, ¥150 day / ¥190 with night entry). Combo ticket ¥190. The Xizha (West Gate) is essentially preserved as a movie-set with restaurants, boutiques, B&Bs — it’s where the annual World Internet Conference happens. Most foreigners do Xizha night-tour (5 PM entry, gondola + lanterns + dinner — magical). Stay overnight in a canal-side B&B (¥600-2000/night) for the full effect. Bus from Hangzhou Bus Station 90 min ¥40, or 30 min by high-speed rail from Hangzhou to Tongxiang + 30 min taxi.

Highlights

Xizha Night Tour5 PM entry + lantern-lit canals + dinner; ¥190
Canal-side B&B¥600-2000/night for full effect
World Internet Conference VenueAnnual; Xi Jinping attends

What Chinese travelers actually do here

Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.

Time a 5 PM Xizha entry so you catch both fading daylight and the lanterns switching on over the canals.
Staying overnight in a canal-side B&B is the trick to having the lanes nearly to yourself after dark.
Shoot the arched stone bridges reflected in the water at blue hour, just before full night, for glassy mirror shots.
Choose Xizha over Dongzha if you can only do one; it is larger and far more atmospheric at night.
The high-speed train to Tongxiang plus a taxi can beat the direct bus when Hangzhou traffic is heavy.
Eat at quieter side-lane spots away from the main bridges, where prices and crowds both ease.
Visit on a weekday to dodge the heaviest domestic-tourist surge along the central canal.

Photos

Picturesque view of historic water town architecture in Wuzhen, a famous Chinese destination.

Explore the tranquil beauty of a traditional Chinese water town with ancient architecture by a calm river.

Picturesque view of a traditional canal in Wuzhen Ancient Town, offering a glimpse into historic Chinese architecture.

Traditional wooden boats ply the canals of a scenic Chinese water town surrounded by lush greenery.

Picturesque canal scene in Wuzhen, China with traditional buildings and boats at sunset.

Charming scene of traditional boats navigating a peaceful river in Wuzhen, China, surrounded by historic architecture.

Show all 12 photos

A serene view of traditional water town architecture in China during the day.

Scenic view of a historic Chinese water town featuring traditional architecture and vibrant red lanterns.

Charming Chinese water town scene with traditional architecture over a tranquil canal, clear sky.

Traditional Chinese architecture along the canal in Wuzhen, a scenic water town in Zhejiang.

Aged house exteriors with ornamental walls reflecting in pond with pure water under dark sky at dusk

Tranquil view of a historic Chinese village with boats along a serene waterway under a cloudy sky.

Frequently asked questions about Wuzhen Water Town

Should I visit Dongzha or Xizha in Wuzhen?: Xizha (West Gate) is the better pick for most foreign visitors. It is the larger, more upmarket zone, preserved almost like a movie set with restaurants, boutiques and B&Bs, and it is where the night experience shines. Dongzha (East Gate) is the smaller original tourist zone. A combo ticket covers both if you have a full day.
Is the Wuzhen night tour worth it?: Yes, the Xizha night visit is the highlight most travellers remember. With a roughly 5 PM entry you get lantern-lit canals, gondola rides and canal-side dinner, a genuinely magical scene. Staying overnight in a canal-side B&B lets you enjoy the town after day-trippers leave, when the lanes are quietest.
How do I get from Hangzhou to Wuzhen?: There are two routes. A direct bus from Hangzhou Bus Station takes about 90 minutes. Alternatively, take a high-speed train roughly 30 minutes to Tongxiang, then a taxi about 30 minutes to the town. Booking with your passport is required, so carry it for ticketing and entry.