The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Jiangnan Water Towns

This slow-paced travelogue of Tongxiang highlights the charm of "taking it easy"! Wuzhen is truly perfect for slowing down and soaking in the gentle beauty of a Jiangnan water town ✨ 🍃 About Wuzhen - Xizha Scenic Area is ideal for night tours! The lights reflecting on the small bridges and flowing water create a magical atmosphere. It's recommended to enter after 4 PM to enjoy both daytime and nighttime views. - Dongzha retains many local residents. Visiting in the morning lets you witness locals washing clothes by the river, offering a more authentic glimpse of daily life. - Don't miss the Mu Xin Art Museum. Its stunning architecture and the serene view of water through the glass windows are incredibly soothing. 🚶‍♀️ Recommended 2-Day Itinerary Day 1: Morning: Explore Dongzha → Lunch near the Xizha entrance → Afternoon: Visit Mu Xin Art Museum → Evening: Night tour of Xizha (don’t forget to take a paddle boat!) Day 2: Wake up naturally and experience rural life at Wuzhen Village → Afternoon: Visit Nanzha to see the non-commercialized old streets → Evening: Enjoy slow moments at your homestay. 📸 Photography Tips 1. Dongzha in the morning has fewer crowds and great lighting, perfect for cultural shots. 2. The lanterns in Xizha are very photogenic—wear light-colored clothes for better photos. 3. The spiral staircase and glass windows at Mu Xin Art Museum are excellent spots for pictures. 🍜 Must-Try Foods - Scholar’s Mutton Noodles: Located in Xizha, the mutton is incredibly tender. - Radish Cake: A popular snack on Dongzha’s old street. - Dingsheng Cake: A Wuzhen specialty with just the right amount of sweetness. 🏡 Accommodation Tips Staying inside Xizha Scenic Area, though slightly more expensive, allows free entry and exit, plus the chance to enjoy the serene water town views in the early morning. Tong’an Inn, where we stayed, has a great location with bridges and streams right outside the window~