Attraction Selection#
We only chose Xizha as our destination for the tour, as Dongzha is too small, and Wuzhen Village is more suitable for family outings.
Parking#
The scenic area has a large underground parking lot (it is recommended to navigate directly to the underground parking when departing), and there is also a multi-story parking garage above ground. I didn't check how the parking fees are calculated, but I parked for 24 hours, and the fee was 30 yuan, which is quite affordable. On the way here, I saw many elderly people waving to signal parking, but it is completely unnecessary to go to those private parking spots, as they are too far from the scenic area and the prices won't be cheaper. During the National Day holiday, the parking volume didn't slow down in the underground garage, so everyone can feel free to drive in and park.
Accommodation#
I chose a guesthouse within the Xizha scenic area, which is a bit more expensive compared to those outside. The twin room for my grandparents was around 780 yuan, and my personal room was booked on the same day in the scenic area for 480 yuan, a windowless hotel room. This price is not very high for the Golden Week (compared to other tourist spots), and if you can book early, it should be possible to keep it under 300 yuan per person.
One thing to note is that I selected the guesthouse on Amap and made the reservation, but the actual location is not at the point shown on the map. It seems that several guesthouses use the same listing on Amap, so don't assume that the location you booked is where you will stay. If you have a specific need for a river view, it's best to clarify the accommodation location. If, like me, you are just looking for a low price, you can choose based on the lower prices.
Choosing a guesthouse within the scenic area is a very correct choice. First, when the elderly get tired from playing, they can return to the hotel to rest at any time and come out to continue playing after resting enough; second (and most importantly, which I will elaborate on later), we can enjoy the scenic area in the early morning before there are any tourists; lastly, the hygiene level of the guesthouses is very good, and all disposable items are uniformly provided by the scenic area, giving the impression that the scenic area has a unified inspection and management of hygiene.
After entering the scenic area, you can choose any guesthouse service point to register your face (it may not be possible to register at the landlord's place, I'm not sure), so make sure to carry your ID card with you and not put it in checked luggage.
Another thing is luggage check-in. As shown in the recommended video above, we checked our luggage at the No. 1 Visitor Service Center, and it was delivered to the accommodation point in about an hour (you will receive a text notification). The next morning, you can hand over your luggage to the guesthouse landlord or hotel front desk, and it can be checked back to the Visitor Service Center (also about an hour, depending on the distance to the guesthouse), and you can retrieve it with the landlord's receipt.
Dining#
There aren't any particularly impressive foods in the scenic area, but the stinky tofu for 10 yuan a portion is quite good. It gets very crowded during holidays, and by 9 PM, there are fewer people, but some shops may have already closed. If you don't like waiting in line, you can take a stroll first and then come back to eat. During the holidays, almost every snack shop has long lines, and I think it's unnecessary to wait. Some snacks may sell out. There are a few FamilyMart convenience stores in the scenic area, so buying bread to fill your hunger is also an option. I didn't experience the restaurants in the scenic area mainly because of the crowds during the holidays, making it impossible to finish the lines. I also didn't go to the bars, as such lively scenes are not suitable for me.
Regarding breakfast, the guesthouse for the elderly provided a breakfast package with several options to choose from, which may be provided by the landlord themselves. According to feedback from the elderly, "there's a lot of food, and we can't finish it." My hotel is close to the dim sum place, and the hotel charged my phone number 30 yuan for discounts. In fact, the price for dim sum is not expensive, and 30 yuan per person is basically more than enough.
Ticket and Boat Fees#
The original ticket price is 150 yuan, but if you book a guesthouse within the scenic area, you can purchase it at a 20% discount. My grandparents, being over 70 years old, can enter for free.
There aren't many activities in the scenic area, just boat sightseeing. There will be a lot of people in line, but if you stay in the scenic area, you can line up before 9 AM when outside visitors haven't entered yet, and only tourists staying in the scenic area will be there, making the line shorter. The price for a single ticket is 80 yuan per person (I think), and the price for our three-person boat rental was 280 yuan plus a 20 yuan insurance fee (no discount for the elderly).
Other Information#
- Map: Highly recommend using Amap, as the positioning is very accurate, and the entire map is in a hand-drawn style. You can also enter navigation mode to listen to explanations;
- Internet: The entire scenic area is covered by WiFi, with download speeds of up to 1MB/s;
Summary#
Wuzhen, although not very large, is a place where you can take your time to explore. If you can only choose to visit during holidays, it is advisable to book a guesthouse early, spend the day leisurely, save energy, and come out to explore after 9 PM, while getting up early in the morning to take photos and check in.