Wuzhen

Wuzhen is a southern China water town, which is built on a system of waterways that cross its ancient stone streets. The beauty and charm created by these canals attracts many visitors and has given rise to the nickname "Venice of the East". About seventeen kilometres from Tongxiang City and a 45 minute bus ride from Hangzhou, Wuzhen has a history of over a thousand years and is noted for its education and academic achievements through ancient history. Most of the houses, shops and other buildings that line its streets have old wooden façades with architecture from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) that paint a picture of its ancient past.

Six sections make up the town - the Local-Styled Dwelling Houses District, the Traditional Food and Beverage District, the Workshops District, the Culture District, the Shops and Stores District and the Water Township Customs and Life District.

One of the crafts Wuzhen is most famous for is making the indigo dyed calico fabric which is used to make clothes, curtains and other cloth items. Other customs include shadow puppets and the flower drum opera. Some famous attractions are the former residence of Mao Dun, a well know modern Chinese writer who's most famous work is based in Wuzhen, and the Xiu Zhen Guan Taoist temple. Also there is the "bridge in bridge" where two bridges close to each other are unique because you can see each through the arch of the other. Whether wandering its old streets, crossing its ancient stone bridges or taking a boat ride on its canals, Wuzhen will have something to impress everyone.