Sights in WuZhen

Like the famous Hongyuantai Dyeing Workshop in Xizha, a variety of printed fabrics drift in the wind. The difference is that in addition to blue, there are also red, yellow, gray and other colors. These colors are extracted from plants such as tea leaves, mulberry bark, and Chinese tallow tree leaves. The printed fabrics drift in the wind, and wandering among them is perfect for taking photos.

Zhaoming Academy is named after Xiao Tong, the Crown Prince of the Southern Liang Dynasty, who studied in Wuzhen. Xiao Tong edited and compiled the Wenxuan, my country's first anthology of poetry and prose. For a long time, Wenxuan, along with later works like Guwenguanzhi and the Collection of Essays by the Eight Great Masters of Tang and Song, were essential literary readings for ancient scholars, exerting a profound influence.

The exhibition hall displays 825 pairs of foot-binding shoes from various parts of historical China, along with numerous images and foot-binding tools, accompanied by detailed text. Modern people may find it difficult to imagine that centuries ago, Chinese women judged their beauty not by their beautiful features or voluptuous figures, but by the smallness and allure of their feet. Three-inch feet were the ultimate standard of beauty.

Of all the attractions in Wuzhen, the Old Post Office is undoubtedly the most visited. Opened during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, it's still in operation and maintains the same traditional mail delivery methods. Write a postcard or mail a letter, stamp it with the Wuzhen postmark, and drop it in the mailbox, making your trip to Wuzhen truly worthwhile.

Wuzhen is known for its "one temple, two pagodas, nine temples, and thirteen nunneries." The two pagodas are located at the White Lotus Pagoda Temple. Together with the Shousheng Pagoda in Dongzha, these two pagodas are also known as the East and West Pagodas of the local people.

The White Lotus Pagoda was built during the Northern Song Dynasty. Today, it is the tallest building in Wuzhen, with seven floors, but visitors can only go up to the third floor. On the Pagoda Hill, one can see the rolling Grand Canal on one side and the small bridges and flowing water of Wuzhen on the other side. At night, the tower is illuminated by lights, making it crystal clear and beautiful.

West Bank boasts Tongji Bridge and Renji Bridge, one running north-south and the other east-west, adjacent at right angles. Standing on either bridge, you can see the other through its arches. From the south bank, the semicircular arches of the two bridges are reflected in the water, creating a seemingly circular, almost ethereal illusion, a remarkable sight in Wuzhen. At night, illuminated by lights, the twin bridges are even more breathtaking. Standing at the bridgehead, one can take in the panoramic views of the Water Pavilion, the winding Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal to the north, the graceful Wenchang Pavilion, and the towering White Lotus Pagoda – truly breathtaking views of the bridges.

Mr. Mao Dun was Wuzhen's proudest son. The exhibition hall showcases his remarkable life, focusing on his life and literary journey. To the left of the memorial hall is Mao Dun's study, recreated to resemble the layout of his former residence in Beijing. To the right of the memorial hall is a gallery showcasing Mao Dun's personal belongings. The jade plates and porcelain items on the antique shelves were gifts from friends during his visits to various countries during his tenure as Minister of Culture. Four audio players are located on the left side of the exhibition hall, allowing you to listen to him discuss the origins of his pen name, "Mao Dun," and the beginnings of his creative career.

Lingshuiju is the largest garden attraction in Xizha, a rare sight in this ancient water town. Upon entering, the first thing that catches your eye is a winding wall carved with traditional Chinese motifs: a "double dragon playing with a pearl" in the center, flanked by "plum, bamboo, and cranes." Through the transparent windows, you can admire the garden's rocky mountains, beautiful waters, and verdant trees, capturing the essence of the scenery. The entire Lingshuiju complex is bright and beautiful, elegant and simple, with winding paths and a profound depth.

Wuzhen also boasts an unexpected wetland, home to a variety of plants, including reeds, water calamus, calamus, wild rice stem, lotus, duckweed, and moss. Lush trees and shrubs, such as weeping willows, oleanders, redbuds, and pomegranates, adorn the banks. Egrets, wild ducks, and various other waterfowl can be spotted here.

The field is named after its shape, which resembles a crouching dragon. Viewed from a high point across the river, it appears to be a living dragon, its head to the west and its tail to the east. Different crops are grown in each season. A clear stream flows beneath the bridge, preventing waterlogging in summer and drying up in winter, thus reaping the benefits of irrigation and drainage.

The unique feature of this stage is that it is built on water, hence the name "Water Stage". Its scale and exquisiteness are rare in China, and it complements the ancient stage of Xiuzhen Temple beautifully.

The central performance stage is magnificent, especially the caisson ceiling in the center, which is resplendent in gold and jade. The roof is engraved with lifelike carvings of the Eight Immortals, both visible and invisible. The central beam depicts a scene of Tang Dynasty Emperor Li Longji attending a play, with images of the Eighteen Arhats carved into it.

Fengyuan Shuangqiao is an ancient bridge with unique charm. It is also called a covered bridge because of its covered shed.

There is a water fence under the bridge. Legend has it that men walk on the left and women on the right when walking across the double bridges. To walk across the bridge once, you have to walk the left and right halves. Therefore, it is said that walking across this bridge can bring you the best of both worlds.

Shenwan gathers together the characteristic buildings of the water town, including halls, corridors, water pavilions and various buildings. The well-arranged residential groups extend the quiet ancient streets, and the corridors, water pavilions are connected with the clear water and blue sky, and the beautiful scenery of the water town is in full view.

Xiangshantang Chinese Medicine Store was founded by Lu Qingyu during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty. The "Xiang" in "Xiangshan" refers to the preciousness of Chinese medicine, while the "Shan" in "Xiangshan" refers to the mountain of medicinal materials. The store faces south, and three medicine cabinets, known as "hundred-eye cabinets," are located on the east and north walls of the storefront, storing a variety of commonly used Chinese medicines. A L-shaped counter facing the street serves as the pharmacy's workstation for blending herbs. In front of the store, the mottled "North-South" sign, though somewhat dilapidated, still creaks in the river breeze.

Once home to the wealthy Jin family, this place showcases Wuzhen folk customs from the late Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China, including birthday celebrations, marriage and childbearing traditions, and seasonal festivals. Spectacular wax figures depict scenes from weddings and funerals, imbued with the hope for a better life.

The specialty here is the original Sanbai liquor, brewed using traditional methods. It gained instant fame after being chosen by Zhu Yuanzhang as the wine for his coronation. The aroma is palpable upon entering, and the liquor is made on site, with free tastings available. Watching the fine liquor drip into the jars from the giant steamer at Gongsheng Zaofang, or enjoying a sip on one of the long benches in the old shop, is a delightful way to steal a half-day's leisure.

China's blue printed fabric is world-renowned, and Wuzhen is one of its origins. Hongyuantai Dyeing Workshop, founded during the Song and Yuan dynasties, was originally located in Nanzha. It relocated here during the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty and became a production base and distribution center for blue printed fabric products.

At Hongyuantai Dyeing House, you can see a full demonstration of the traditional process, and you can also take some finished blue prints home from the shop in front.

Lizhi Academy was founded during the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty. It was renamed during the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty and became the first primary school in Wuzhen.

After restoration, it was listed as the Mao Dun Achievement Exhibition Hall, which displays more than 150 photos introducing Mao Dun's revolutionary activities and literary path throughout his life, as well as his works, manuscripts, books and periodicals, inscriptions, and items he used.

Founded by Taoist Zhang Dongming during the Northern Song Dynasty, Xiuzhen Temple has been known as one of the "Three Great Taoist Temples of Jiangnan" along with Suzhou's Xuanmiao Temple and Puyuan's Xiangyun Temple. The current Xiuzhen Temple has undergone renovations.

Xiuzhen Temple boasts a grand and imposing layout. It comprises three entrances: the mountain gate, the Dongyue Hall, and the Jade Emperor Pavilion. Flanking these entrances are the Ten Kings of Hell, the Plague Marshal, and the God of Wealth. The spacious flagstone plaza in front of the mountain gate was a popular venue for temple fairs and community operas, serving as the cultural and entertainment center of Wuzhen in the past.

Changfeng Street in Wuzhen's central market is a traditional shopping street. Among them is a pawnshop called Huiyuan Pawnshop, located between Yingjia Bridge and Nanhua Bridge. Its five-bay storefront, with upstairs and downstairs, and its tall counter (1.8 meters high) are quite impressive.