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
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi
Address: Wuzhen, Tongxiang, Jiaxing · 嘉兴市桐乡市乌镇镇

See Wuzhen Water Towntickets & tours

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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.

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.

What travelers say (3 reviews)

Scenic·TripAdvisor·5/5

Jiangnan water town with 1300-year history. Xizha night entry is magical — gondola + lantern-lit canals + dinner. ¥190.

2026-04-18

乌镇西栅·Xiaohongshu·5/5

乌镇西栅夜游必去！下午5点入场，看完夜景。住景区内民宿¥600-2000/晚。

2026-03-25

Lisa K.·Google Maps·5/5

Annual World Internet Conference venue. Xizha (West) is more upmarket than Dongzha (East) — splurge on Xizha overnight if you can.

2026-04-20

Watch creators visit Wuzhen Water Town

Each clip is timestamped to the moment the creator arrives at this stop.

Wuzhen + Xitang Water Towns Day Trip from Hangzhou

Adventures of PipStarts at 0:30

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.