– A day trip from Shanghai to see a water town at night –
📍 Date of visit: early July 2025
📍 Starting point: opposite the New World department store in Shanghai
📍 Tour format: accompanied by a Korean-speaking Joseonjok (ethnic Korean Chinese) guide, canal boat ride included
📍 Key words: Wuzhen water town, Chinese water towns, trips near Shanghai, Wuzhen at night, Dongpo pork, the Venice of China
🌊 Why "the Venice of China"?
Wuzhen water town (烏鎮, Wuzhen) in Zhejiang Province, China, is an ancient canal town with 1,000 years of history. Its scenery of canals, old houses and stone bridges resembles Venice in Italy, earning it the nickname "the Venice of the East".
The wooden boats gliding quietly along the canals and the night view of traditional houses reflected in the lantern light were truly spectacular.
I went on a day trip from Shanghai with a Joseonjok guide. Even as a one-day trip, I could feel plenty of its charm, and I can confidently say it was the best choice for my last day. 😉
🚕 From Shanghai to arrival
📍 Meeting point: opposite the New World department store in Shanghai (新世界城南二门)
🕐 Travel time: about 90 minutes by taxi
After meeting the guide and getting a brief rundown of the schedule, we traveled by taxi. From central Shanghai, Wuzhen is about 1 hour 30 minutes away, which makes it a good route for a day trip. Thanks to the comfortable transport and clear guiding, it felt reassuring from the start.
🛶 Dongzha (东栅) route: old-world charm and history as they were
The first stop was the Dongzha (东栅) area.
It's a quiet area where the traditional atmosphere is still alive, preserving the old look just as it was. Museums, art halls and traditional craft workshops are gathered throughout the streets, and there were many small teahouses and souvenir shops too.
And the highlight was the canal boat ride. As the boatman rowed quietly on, the old houses, bridges and people around us blended into a truly peaceful scene. 🛶✨
At that moment it felt so European that I wondered, "Is this really China?"
🍖 A delicious meal: Dongpo pork and tofu dishes
We had our meal at a local restaurant in Wuzhen.
The main dish was Dongpo pork: gently braised pork belly infused with a subtle soy sauce aroma, and it was truly excellent. It practically melted in my mouth from the first bite! 😋
The tofu dish that came with it was also memorable for its light, nutty flavor.
Balanced with the meat, it was an experience that let me properly taste the essence of traditional Chinese cooking.
🌉 Xizha (西栅) route: a dramatic shift in mood from day to night
In the afternoon we moved to the Xizha (西栅) area.
Xizha was an area with a more commercial and modern feel. With cafés, galleries and book cafés, you could feel a youthful, atmospheric mood.
But the real magic began after sunset.
Lights spreading softly over the water, couples walking across the bridges and wooden boats drifting quietly by….
In a word, Wuzhen at night was overwhelming. 🌙🌉
More beautiful than photos, more moving than videos…
The reflections created by the lights and the canal in particular were a truly dreamlike scene. Enough that it would be worth coming back just to see this view.
🧳 Wrapping up the trip: a perfect last night in Shanghai
This was the last day of my Shanghai trip. Honestly, the journey had been long and I was a little tired, but it was a perfect day, with Wuzhen's night view and scenery making up for everything.
Along with the regret of "Why did I only come now?", it made me think, "Next time I'd actually like to book a hotel near Wuzhen and definitely stay one night." 🧡
💡 Wuzhen travel tips at a glance
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Getting there | Shanghai → Wuzhen (about 90 minutes by taxi) |
| Recommended time to visit | Spring to autumn / especially summer evenings |
| Dongzha vs. Xizha | Dongzha for traditional beauty, Xizha for the night view and atmosphere |
| Signature food | Dongpo pork, tofu dishes, local Chinese set meals |
| Time needed | Possible as a day trip (takes 9–12 hours) |