The tranquil, mystical beauty of Wuzhen, an ancient town over a thousand years old, is what Minh Nha, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, remembers most after her trip to China.
Located 140 km from Shanghai, Wuzhen, along with Zhouzhuang, Xitang, and Luzhi, are four famous ancient towns along the Yangtze River.
The ancient town, built in 872, is located in Tongxiang City, Jiaxing Province, within the triangle formed by Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Shanghai. Covering an area of over 71 square kilometers, Wuzhen has a total population of 60,000 people.
Minh Nha, 32 years old, and her friend took an 8-day trip to Shanghai, Wuzhen, and Hangzhou in March. She was impressed by the ancient town, from its name and address to its water system, architecture, and the way of life of its people, all of which have remained intact for over a thousand years.
Currently, Wuzhen has a 40-hectare ancient house area built in the late 19th century, and more than 100 ancient stone bridges. The canal system running through the town divides it into four main scenic areas: Dongsach, Nansach, Xisach, and Beisach.
Over 80% of the old houses and riverside shops here have remained unchanged over time, reflected in the calm water. All of this creates an Asian Venice, with its green canals and winding stone bridges.
Wuzhen showcases its history through ancient stone bridges, stone pathways, and exquisite wood carvings. Minh Nha explains that upon arriving in the town, visitors are guided by a tour guide who will tell them about the history and development of this ancient city through the work "Lin's Shop" by the famous modern Chinese revolutionary writer Mao Dun. If it's convenient or time-consuming, visitors can also visit the Mu Xin Art Museum in the city, dedicated to his works. The museum is open from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Tuesday to Sunday. The entrance fee is approximately 600,000 VND.
For thousands of years, local people have preserved traditional customs and crafts such as brewing rượu (rice wine), weaving, dyeing fabrics, and making handicrafts to serve tourists.
Wuzhen is divided into six traditional areas: a conference area, a local-style residential area, a cultural area, a food and beverage area, a shopping area, and a riverside town lifestyle area. These six areas form an east-west-east axis, making it convenient for visitors to explore and learn about traditional customs and culture.
Hong Yuan Dyeing Workshop, specializing in a famous type of blue floral printed fabric, is a must-visit in the shopping district. What makes the workshop special is that the colors are made from natural ingredients, without any chemical dyes. The fabrics and dyes are made from traditional materials, and the designs and patterns are distinctly Jiangnan style.
"In Wuzhen, you can feel the breath of time in every street corner, every small brick," Minh Nha said.
Before the advent of railways in China, boats were the only way to travel between the regions and towns along the Yangtze River. Many travelers who visit Wuzhen have given it the memorable nickname "water town".
Wandering through the village, Minh Nha felt like she had stepped into a colorful culinary world . The bustling night market, with its array of typical Chinese street food, made her feel like she was participating in a joyful festival. Riverside eateries with their delicious fish dishes and romantic atmospheres offered a relaxing spot for a memorable dinner. Exploring the farmers' market and roadside stalls revealed unique street food flavors and interesting souvenirs. Life felt strangely peaceful in her mind.
Spring and autumn are the ideal times to visit Wuzhen because of the blooming flowers and pleasant weather, neither too hot nor too cold. If you visit Wuzhen at the right time, you can watch the Silkworm Flower Boat performance, shadow puppetry, or the Flower Drum opera.
From Ho Chi Minh City, tourists can fly to Shanghai and then take a bus, taxi, or high-speed train to Wuzhen. The journey takes one to two hours, depending on the mode of transport.
Taking a boat trip along the canals is a must-try activity. There are two types of boats for visitors to choose from: one for groups of 6 and another for groups of 10 or more. Drifting along the clear blue water, you'll feel like you've stepped into an ancient world with centuries-old houses, bridges, and stone pillars.
"Although Wuzhen isn't luxurious, it's captivating enough to make visitors want to gaze at it endlessly," Minh Nha said.
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