Wuzhen

Wuzhen enjoys a history of over 1,000 years since its establishment in 872 A.D. However, according to the textual research of the Tanjiawan site, one of the important cultural relics under state protection, ancestors of the Wuzhen people existed here during the New Stone Age 7,000 years ago. The ancient Grand Canal nurtured the splendid culture of Wuzhen, and a long historic accumulation endowed Wuzhen with deep cultural deposits. Over more than 1,000 years, Wuzhen has never changed its name, address, system of waterways or lifestyle.

Throughout history, natives of Wuzhen have become celebrities in the fields of literature, history, and natural science, leaving behind them a great deal of cultural heritage. Wuzhen has organized art exhibitions for many local writers and painters and offers an abundance of magnificent folk arts, including Huagu Opera (literally "flower drum opera”), shadow puppet theatre, and many other art forms, all of which are well protected by the developers of Wuzhen Scenic Area.

Inside town there are now more than 40 hectares of original buildings from the late 19th century, and more than 100 ancient stone bridges of different shapes. It is just like a natural museum of ancient architecture.