Wuzhen



Wuzhen Town, in Tongxiang City, Zhejiang Province, has a history of more than 1,000 years. Of the ancient
residential houses, workshops, and stores still standing on the banks of the rivers, 169,600 square
meters, accounting for 81.54 percent of the town's total floor area, have remained unchanged, lending an
atmosphere of antiquity.

Wuzhen has many sites of historical and cultural interest. From the Song (960-1279) through the Qing
(1644-1911) Dynasties, Wuzhen produced more successful candidates in the highest imperial
examinations than any other town south of the lower reaches of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River.

Tradition is still very much alive in Wuzhen. In addition to flower-drum opera, shadow-puppet shows, and
temple fairs, Wuzhen also attracts visitors with its time-honored art of making indigo-dyed printed calico. In ancient times, indigo-dyed printed
calico was used for curtains, scarves, and tablecloths in every household in the countryside of Zhejiang Province. Today, it is still common to see
old women in indigo-blue gowns leisurely operating spinning wheels or looms at weaving workshops in the old lanes of Wuzhen, while the
squeaks of the looms resound throughout the lanes. Carrying on this tradition has become a part of the lives of the old women.

Wuzhen is at its best on rainy days. Strolling with an umbrella along an old lane past the centuries-old wooden houses and seeing the rain flow off
the engraved eaves that cover the doorways is an amazing experience. The falling raindrops bring ripples on the river surfaces, while boats travel
to and fro. The waterside pavilions and corridors and the arched bridges, all shrouded in drizzle, make up a charming scene.

Wuzhen has become a living fossil of ancient oriental civilization for its profound history and culture, graceful water
town scenery, unique-flavoured delicious foods, various and colorful folk-customs and festivals. It’s a kind of beauty
that naturally endowed. While displaying the extraordinary charming of Chinese ancient culture and the soul of the
oriental life, Wuzhen has become a disseminator of traditional culture and an emissary of the communication
between China and foreign countries.

With a good integration of history, culture, nature and surroundings, advanced and complete service facilities,
warmhearted people, Wuzhen deserves to be your best touring destination in China, no matter for sightseeing,
leisure, holidays or business activities.