Wuzhen is situated at the northern part of Tongxiang City, Zhejiang Province; at the center of triangle formed by Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nanjing. Wuzhen was established in year 872 more than 1000 years ago. However, according to the textual research of the Tanjiawan site, one of the important cultural relics under state protection, the ancestors of Wuzhen had stayed here as early as the New Stone Age about 7000 years ago. The ancient Grand Canal nurtured the splendid culture of Wuzhen and the long historic accumulation endowed Wuzhen with sound cultural deposits. Throughout the development history, Wuzhen has never changed its name, address, water system and even lifestyle. The traditional buildings of Wuzhen are still well preserved nowadays. Wuzhen is surrounded by a dense network of rivers and wharves and the people here built their houses along the river as well as establish markets close to bridges. Stone railings and arch bridges are everywhere throughout the town which presenting an original ecological scene of a water town in Jiangnan (southern part of Yangtze River).
More than 40 hectares of late 19th century original buildings as well as over 100 ancient stone bridges of different shapes can still be found within Wuzhen. As a whole, the town is just like a natural museum of ancient architecture. The native residents of Wuzhen are still living peacefully in their old houses by the water which similar to what their ancestor did many years ago.
Located at 210 Dongzha Dajie, the Jiangnan Hundred Bed Museum as the first museum in China to collect and exhibit ancient beds of the Jiangnan area is one of the highlights within Wuzhen. Dozens of typical old beds from the Ming and Qing Dynasties as well as modern times are all displayed in this museum. Besides that, the Folk Custom Museum which display the folk custom of birthday celebration, wedding and child-rearing as well as celebration of various festivals from the late Qing Dynasty to 1949. The clothes hall displays the dressing custom of people in Jiangnan by objects, waxworks and pictures.
Besides that, Wuzhen is also famed with its wood carving. The former residence of Xu Family, named Hundred Flower Hall, has been renovated into the Wood Carving Museum. The hall is well known for its exquisite wood carvings on the beams and painted rafters especially the human figures, birds and animals on the doors and windows. Currently, various find carving craftworks of the ancient times are displayed within each of the rooms within the hall. On top of that, the Water Stage which was built over water is another unique spot to be included in itinerary as well. The scale and exquisiteness of the stage are seldom seen in China.
The stated attractions are just some of the most popular spots at Wuzhen. Famous spots like Ancient Bridges, Water Chamber, Water Market, The Old Post Office, Zhaoming Academy, White Lotus Tower, Jing-Hang Grand Canal, Shadow Play and etc are all worth for visit. You are advised to spend overnight at Wuzhen in order for you to go round the water village as just a day stop here is impossible for you to take a closer glance of all the attracting scenery of Wuzhen.