Wuzhen East Scenic Area: A Place that Rekindles Past Memories
Wuzhen East Scenic Area is a place that brings back past memories—after all, this visit counts as a return trip. I remember the last time I came here, it was a drizzly day and I was holding a small umbrella. At that time, only the East Scenic Area was open to the public, while the West Scenic Area was still under construction. Due to a tight schedule, I only managed to stroll around for less than two hours—maybe even less than an hour before leaving in a hurry.
However, my impression of the East Area was quite good. What stood out was how well it had preserved its original charm. It wasn’t overly commercialized and still retained a sense of everyday life. There were still some actual residents living there. It was simply a peaceful attraction, free from the noise and chaos. (Zhouzhuang, by contrast, has long been a highly commercialized ancient town.)
Originally, I hadn’t planned to visit the East Scenic Area again during this trip—I thought I’d dedicate all my time to the West Area instead, especially since I had already been to the East once. Plus, the West Area is much larger and requires more time to explore. However, I took the suggestion of the homestay owner, who felt that it could still be squeezed into the itinerary. After all, the West Area doesn’t necessarily require that much time.
Personally, I wouldn’t recommend taking the boat ride in the East Area. A simple walk around the area is more than enough. If you don’t feel like walking the entire loop, that’s totally fine—there are bridges in the middle where you can cut across and return.
There are stage performances here—probably twice a day. If you happen to be around when one is scheduled, it’s worth checking out. I even saw tour guides waiting with groups for the show to begin.
On a sunny day, you can take lots of great photos here, and the atmosphere is very evocative.
Most of the doors along the streets are closed, so you might easily miss the spots that are actually open to visitors. Occasionally, you’ll come across places that were clearly once homestays, although they don’t seem to be operating anymore. Perhaps there’s not much demand for staying here—most tourists prefer accommodations in the West Area. That said, you can still sense that some locals live here, which adds to the authenticity and everyday feel.
Today, the East Scenic Area is no longer the main attraction for most visitors. Most people treat the West Scenic Area as the highlight of Wuzhen. The difference between the two can only be understood after visiting both—there’s no better or worse, just what suits you best. If you have ample time, the East Area is worth considering. Otherwise, the daytime and nighttime scenery of the West Area should be your top priority. The East Area has no night view to speak of, but one of its few advantages is the absence of street vendors at every corner—they’re mostly gathered in a single area. Still, after walking a while, it all starts to feel repetitive, and you might wonder whether it's worth completing the full loop.
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