Full-Day Discovery of Wuzhen's East and West Scenic Zones
Begin the morning with a tour of East Gate (Dongzha).
Your route includes Fengyuan Twin Bridges, a water-based checkpoint where walking across the left bridge is said to bring good fortune, while the right brings wealth. Continue to the Mu Xin Art Museum, which showcases the literary and artistic works of Mr. Mu Xin, then visit Caishen Bay, shaped like ancient gold ingots. Explore the Jiangnan Bed Museum, displaying antique beds from the Ming and Qing dynasties through to the modern era, and stop at the Sanbai Wine Workshop to observe traditional brewing techniques and taste Sanbai wine and sweet fermented rice wine.
The tour continues to Hongyuantai Dye House, where you can watch the production of blue-and-white calico and try tie-dyeing a handkerchief yourself. Visit the Jiangnan Woodcarving Museum to see traditional Chinese woodcarving craftsmanship, then continue to the Former Residence of Mao Dun, the home of the renowned translator and leftist figure. Further stops include Xiuzhen Taoist Temple, Hanlin Di for shadow puppetry, and Huiyuan Pawnshop for an introduction to pawnshop culture.
In the afternoon, continue with a tour of West Gate (Xizha).
This part of the itinerary includes Wuzhen Grand Theatre, the Mu Xin Art Museum designed by a student of I.M. Pei, and Caomu Bense Dye House, an indigo-dyed fabric workshop. Visit Zhaoming Academy, a library established by a Crown Prince, and the Museum of Three-Inch Golden Lotuses, which exhibits the history of women's foot-binding and "lotus shoes." Continue to the century-old Wuzhen Post Office, Qiaoliqiao Bridge, White Lotus Pagoda, Wuzhen's tallest ancient structure, and the Temple of General Wu.
You will also explore Nvgong, or Needlework Street, and the Water Market, a floating morning market and food street. At Xuchang Sauce Workshop, you can taste traditionally brewed soy sauce. The tour also covers ancient Chinese wedding customs at the Wedding Customs Museum, as well as traditional forging and textile techniques at the artisan workshops.
Enjoy local cuisine on Longyuan Street at lunchtime.
After dinner, board a sculling boat at Bailian Pagoda White Lotus Tower to admire the night scenery of Wuzhen's West Scenic Zone. The tour concludes here.
