A Wonderful Family Vacation in Wucun, Wuzhen
Hey there, foreign friends! Today, I’m excited to share with you a fantastic family vacation experience in Wucun, a charming village in Wuzhen.
Why Choose Wucun
As a parent, I always want my daughter to explore different worlds and have wonderful memories during her growth. Over the years, I’ve taken her to various places like the Netherlands for Halloween, Snow Village for the New Year, Kaifeng for the lantern festival, and Xi’an to experience the Tang Dynasty culture. This year, I decided to bring her to Wucun in Wuzhen.
Wucun offers a pure and original rural landscape, like a paradise on earth. It’s a one – stop rural leisure resort that includes accommodation, dining, transportation, sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment. You just need to buy a suitable package, and you can enjoy everything without worrying about additional costs. It also allows you to freely enter and exit the West Scenic Area of Wuzhen.
Arrival and Check – in
We arrived in Wucun in the afternoon, which meant we still had a whole afternoon to have fun. When checking in, we each got a bracelet. This bracelet is a magic pass! You can use it for all the food and activities in Wucun, and it also enables you to enter the West Scenic Area of Wuzhen freely.
We stayed in the Mill. After check – in, a shuttle driven by the butler took us there. Entering the Mill was like entering a cozy restaurant, filled with a faint smell of books and a touch of tranquility. The butler told us that we could order whatever we liked to eat or drink, as it was all included in the package. In the Mill, you can enjoy soy milk, different kinds of dried tofu, noodles, and wontons, which are great for refueling after a long day of playing.
The Mill has the unique charm of the Jiangnan water town and the simplicity of a rural farmhouse. We lived in a family room with a large and a small bed. The bathroom was decorated in a warm Jiangnan style, and the paper – covered lamp on the bedside table emitted a soft yellow – white light, making the room warm and comfortable, even in the Jiangnan winter.
Activities in the Village
Joyful Cycling
In the early morning, you can rent a bike at the village committee. There are single, double, and triple bikes available. Choose one that suits you and ride around the village to feel the fresh air and the peaceful atmosphere of the Jiangnan countryside in the morning.
Pig Races
Walking along the quiet country path, you’ll unconsciously reach the area where the little animals live. There, you can watch the pig races, which is one of the winter camp activities. Kids are divided into two teams. They clap their hands behind the pigs, and the first pig to reach the finish line wins. It’s a great chance for kids to get close to these cute little pigs.
Archery
After the pig races, you can go to the archery experience area near the canal. There are different types of arrows for adults and children (aged 14 and above). You can have a great time with your family, competing to see who has the best archery skills. The CCO (Cultural Creative Officer) in the archery area is very enthusiastic and patient, teaching you how to hold the bow, release the arrow, and hit the target.
Hand – made Tofu Pudding
If you’re curious about how tofu pudding is made, head to the handicraft workshop next to the Mill. You can use a traditional stone mill to grind soybeans and water in a 1:6 ratio to make soy milk, and then turn it into tofu pudding. It requires patience, but it’s a great way to experience the rural life.
Weaving
We took my daughter to the handicraft weaving class. She was very envious of the beautiful handicrafts made of wool. The CCO taught her to crochet a simple red flower. Although it seems easy, it actually requires skill and a good sense of balance to make the thread tight and even.
Baking
My daughter is quite experienced in baking. When we were at home, she often helped me make mooncakes, cookies, and other treats. At the handicraft baking center in Wucun, she made some small cookies with ease. The baking school in Wucun is a must – visit place. It not only teaches kids the skills of baking but also shows them the process of food production.
Painting New Year Pictures
Kids love to draw. My daughter chose to draw a little mouse stepping on a big ingot of gold, with a couplet on each side that says “Good luck and happiness, and an abundant year every year”. Each child interprets spring in their own way and expresses their wishes for the new year through their paintings.
Children’s Playground
This is the place where my daughter had the most fun. It has Lego, slides, climbing walls, video games, a play castle, and a drawing area.
The slides and play castle are great for younger kids. They can release their energy and exercise their bodies while strengthening the parent – child relationship.
The climbing and expansion area is a favorite of my active daughter. She had to wear a safety helmet and a safety rope, and a professional coach accompanied her throughout. It requires both physical strength and balance skills. After walking through the obstacle course once, she was sweating but still wanted to continue. It’s a great way to challenge her courage and overcome her self – imposed limitations.
Lego is my daughter’s favorite toy. In the Lego area, there are all kinds of Lego bricks. Kids can build trains, villas, and use their imagination to create on the high Lego walls. It can greatly improve their concentration and thinking ability.
Food in the Village
In Wucun, you can’t miss the delicious local food. The lunch and dinner here use fresh and healthy “one – hour vegetables”, which are picked and served within one hour. It ensures the food is both delicious and safe.
Making Huoci in the Earthen Stove
In the village market, villagers make Huoci in the most primitive earthen stoves. They scrape the cooked glutinous rice into a thin layer of rice flour skin and stick it evenly around the hot pot. When the edge of the skin curls up, they scoop it out, and the Huoci is ready. During the Spring Festival, all the tourists can taste the brown sugar Huoci tea, which makes you feel the strong New Year atmosphere.
Dingsheng Cake
Next to the rice cake – making stall, there is a Dingsheng Cake stall. My daughter was curious about its name. The aunt at the stall told us two legends. One is that during the Southern Song Dynasty, the local people made this cake to encourage the soldiers of the Han family army. The cake has the words “Dingsheng” (meaning certain victory) on it. Another legend is related to Yue Fei. After the Southern Song Dynasty established its capital in Hangzhou, the people of Hangzhou would give Dingsheng Cakes to Yue Fei’s army when they went on expeditions, hoping for their victory. My daughter said she wanted to eat the cake to bring good luck in everything.
Dinner at the Wheat Field Restaurant
The Wheat Field Restaurant is spacious and bright. The food is well – classified. The desserts at the entrance of the restaurant are so beautifully shaped that you can’t resist trying them. The Japanese sushi is also very good. There are all kinds of Chinese and Western cuisines to satisfy your picky taste buds.
Clay Pot Rice
Clay pot rice has a long history and originated in Guangzhou. It is cooked in a clay pot. The traditional varieties include spareribs with black bean sauce rice, cured meat rice, and chicken rice. When making it, you first cook the rice until it’s about 70% done, then add the marinated meat, pour in the sauce and oil along the edge of the pot, and simmer until the rice is fully cooked and a crispy crust forms at the bottom. It’s a delicious and classic dish.
In addition to these, there are also many other local delicacies, such as tea eggs, noodles, and various sweet desserts in the Taoyuan Dessert Shop.
Attractions in the West Scenic Area
The Night View of the West Scenic Area
The charm of Wuzhen is best shown at night. The gentle moonlight, the hazy night, the classical and quiet buildings around create a poetic and dreamy atmosphere. The reflection of the pavilions and towers on the water in the moonlight is like a beautiful painting, making you feel peaceful and at the same time, a little nostalgic.
The Floating Market
In the early morning, the floating market in Wuzhen shows the original way of life of the locals. Dozens of boats are moored at the shore, filled with fruits, vegetables, and flowers. During the New Year, the market is even more bustling, with freshly brewed Wu wine, cured meat, and other local specialties. Next to the floating market, there are also many snack stalls selling symbolic snacks like Dingsheng Cake, Orange – Red Cake, Begonia Cake, and round – shaped pastries.
The Dyeing Workshop
In the West Scenic Area, you can unexpectedly find a dyeing workshop, which is my daughter’s favorite place. The traditional indigo – dyeing process is very popular among tourists. The dyed cloths hanging in the winter sun are like a beautiful scenery. There are also many tie – dyed clothes and handicrafts for sale in the surrounding shops, each telling a story of the craftsman’s skills and the rural life.
The Largest Cauldron in the World
After passing the floating market and walking along the river, you’ll reach the Yichang Iron Workshop in the West Scenic Area. At first glance, it doesn’t seem special from the outside, but once you enter the yard, you’ll be amazed by a huge cauldron. It’s 3 meters high, and the edge of the cauldron is very shiny from being touched by so many people. It was made during the Tongzhi period and took more than two months to complete. Many tourists like to take pictures around it.
Zhang Hengxing Lantern Shop
Crossing the small bridge over the flowing water, you’ll see a lantern shop. Inside and outside the shop, there are all kinds of lanterns, each with its own unique shape and charm. You can either buy a lantern or make one by yourself. Lanterns are an ancient Chinese traditional handicraft with a history of more than 2,000 years. Carrying a lantern and walking around Wuzhen at night is a wonderful experience.
Accommodation on the Way Back
After leaving the West Scenic Area, for the convenience of our return journey, we stayed at the Eden Platinum Hotel, which is just across the street from Tongxiang High – Speed Railway Station. The hotel is mainly for weddings. The wedding chapel looks very sacred at night. Pushing open the chapel door, you’ll feel as if you’re attending a grand wedding.
The wedding hall is also very special. There are screens in the front, on the left, on the right, and above. When a couple gets married here, they can play videos or show photos of their love story and the blessings from their relatives and friends on these screens. It’s an unforgettable memory for a lifetime.
The 25th floor of the hotel has six different – style suites, each with its own unique charm, combining Chinese and European elements. They are all luxurious and grand. Taking my daughter to this hotel not only made our journey convenient but also broadened her horizons.
In conclusion, this trip to Wucun was a wonderful experience for my daughter and me. It allowed her to experience the beauty and tranquility of the Jiangnan region and left her with a beautiful dream in her childhood. I hope more foreign friends can come to Wucun and enjoy this amazing place!
