Shanghai Wuzhen Water Town Day Trip: West Gate Night Views
Deciding which water town to visit from Shanghai? Discover our unforgettable Wuzhen Water Town day trip, exploring both East and West Gates, culminating in magical night views!
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Deciding which water town to visit from Shanghai? Discover our unforgettable Wuzhen Water Town day trip, exploring both East and West Gates, culminating in magical night views!
If you're planning a trip to Shanghai
and considering visiting a water town,
deciding which one to choose can be tougher than you'd think.
When my husband and I traveled to Shanghai
independently some time ago,
we compared **Zhujiajiao, Fengjing Ancient Town, and Wuzhen**.
**Zhujiajiao** seemed too close to the city,
making it easy to visit on a self-guided trip, so we ruled it out.
As for **Fengjing Ancient Town**, despite its size,
the fact that it was artificially created bothered us a bit.
So, the place we ended up choosing was
the **Shanghai Wuzhen Water Town**.
We could experience the distinct atmospheres of Dongzha and Xizha
all at once, and most of all,
I was really looking forward to the Xizha night view.
To cut to the chase, the moment the lights came on in Xizha
and the reflections twinkled over the canal!
I knew we had made the absolute right choice by picking Wuzhen!
We booked the Wuzhen Water Town Night Tour
The tour cost included round-trip transportation between Shanghai and Wuzhen,
admission fees, a Dongzha cruise, and a guide.
It was ~$54 per person.
The price has since gone up slightly to ~$55 per person.
On the morning of the tour,
we met our guide, who was holding a red flag,
near Shanghai's People's Square Station, and then
departed for Wuzhen by private bus.
After about an hour and a half of travel,
we arrived at Wuzhen's Dongzha,
and that's when our full-fledged Wuzhen day tour truly began!
![[★Special Event for Adults★] Wuzhen Water Town Night Tour (Admission & Dongzha Cruise Included)](https://dry7pvlp22cox.cloudfront.net/mrt-images-prod/2024/11/25/TT4k/41OMyXGrjp.jpg?width=480&height=360&operation=crop&quality=99)
In Wuzhen Dongzha,
we explored places like the Bed Museum and the Folk Customs Museum.
The exhibits themselves were fascinating,
but what made it truly special was our guide's
engaging explanations of ancient Chinese lifestyle and culture.
Real residents still live in Dongzha today,
which maintains a generally quiet
and peaceful atmosphere throughout the area.
What particularly stuck with me from Dongzha
was the gondola ride.
Gliding slowly along the waterways,
looking at the ancient buildings and the village,
offered a different kind of tranquility
than exploring on foot.
(Though, the Dongzha scenery was quickly forgotten the moment we reached Xizha.. haha!)
After exploring Dongzha, we traveled about 15 minutes by vehicle
and arrived at Wuzhen Xizha.
In Xizha, we mostly wandered around freely,
and thanks to arriving just as the sun was setting,
we were able to witness the entire transformation of the scenery,
from before sunset, through sunset, and into the illuminated night.
Once the sun had completely set and the buildings lit up,
the lights twinkled on the canal's surface,
and that view was
the most memorable moment of this trip.
Even my husband and I, who don't usually take many photos,
were so captivated by Wuzhen's nightscape that we took tons of pictures.
The night view was so stunning that we even thought about
staying in Wuzhen for about a day.
In Xizha, you can also enjoy Chinese traditional liquor tasting,
traditional costume experiences, and more.
Exploring souvenirs like chopsticks, bookmarks, fans, and hand mirrors
was also a lot of fun.
The biggest regret from this tour was
that I didn't bring a tripod.
Wuzhen Xizha's night view is especially beautiful, but
at night, even a slight shake
really shows up in photos.
If you want to capture lots of couple photos
against Wuzhen's nightscape,
I highly recommend bringing a small tripod or a selfie stick.
Also, while there are many restaurants in Xizha,
the day tour has limited free time,
so it felt a bit short for enjoying a leisurely meal
or having a drink.
And because there were many people on the tour,
to hear the guide's explanations clearly,
we had to stay close together,
which might be uncomfortable for some.
But when I checked again recently,
I found that China Story, the company I used,
has also launched a 2-day, 1-night tour for Wuzhen Water Town!
The biggest regret from the day tour was
the short free time in Xizha, but
if you opt for the 2-day, 1-night tour,
you'll be able to enjoy a more relaxed stay in Wuzhen!
(They say you can even stay overnight at accommodations within Xizha!!)
If you're like us and want to explore both Dongzha and Xizha in one day
and return to Shanghai, then a day tour is a great fit.
However, if you want to savor Xizha's night, which we wished we had more of,
more leisurely, then the 2-day, 1-night option is definitely worth comparing.
![[우전1박2일여행] 상하이근교 우전수향마을 1박2일 투어 - 5성급리조트 한국어가이드 포함](https://dry7pvlp22cox.cloudfront.net/mrt-images-prod/2026/01/30/TH88/LSSbViti6M.jpg?width=480&height=360&operation=crop&quality=99)
📍 Wuzhen Xizha
383 Long Yuan Lu, Tong Xiang Shi, Jia Xing Shi, Zhe Jiang Sheng, China 314501
In Dongzha of Wuzhen Water Town, Shanghai,
you can experience the daily lives of local residents and
enjoy the serene charm of the ferry boats,
while in Xizha, you can witness the splendid night views
that adorn the canal.
Although we thoroughly enjoyed this day tour,
if we visit Wuzhen again in the future,
we thought we'd like to stay a bit longer in Xizha, so
we'll probably opt for the 2-day, 1-night tour package next time.
Depending on your travel schedule,
it might be a good idea for you to compare the day tour
and the 2-day, 1-night tour and choose what suits you best.
Compare them to match your travel style.
The Wuzhen Water Town Night Tour by My Real Trip China Story costs ~$55 per person. This tour includes round-trip transportation between Shanghai and Wuzhen, admission fees, a boat ride in Dongzha, and a Korean-speaking guide.
Dongzha in Wuzhen is where local residents actually live, offering a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere through visits to the Bed Museum, Folk Custom Museum, and gondola rides. Xizha's highlight is its magnificent night view, where you can enjoy traditional Chinese liquor tasting, traditional costume experiences, and souvenir shopping.
Wuzhen Xizha is especially beautiful at night, so you'll likely take many night photos. To capture clear, steady photos during night shooting, it's recommended to bring a small tripod or a selfie stick.
If you want to explore both Dongzha and Xizha in one day and return to Shanghai, a day tour is suitable. If you find the free time in Xizha to be too short, you might consider an overnight tour to enjoy the night in Xizha more leisurely.
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