Wuzhen is an ancient town with a history of 1,300 years, located in south China. There are many ancient towns resembling Wuzhen and are located on the Yangtze River Delta. They are as peaceful and beautiful as bright pearls. Besides owning characteristics of ancient residence in southern China such as ingenuity, elegance and picturesque scenery, Wuzhen is more a town, which is full of historic and cultural atmosphere. In spite of over one thousand years’ vicissitudes, Wuzhen still kept its original format and appearance. Wood and stone carvings on the beams, pillars, doors and windows are still vivid and exquisite. Local residents still live in the ancient houses. Constructed on the river surface, the simple and unsophisticated town symbolizes a special kind of temperament and atmosphere. Perhaps that is the reason why Wuzhen is popular and prolonged prosperous. According to its excavated materials such as potteries, stone implements, bone implements and more, Wuzhen is identified as Majiabin cultural category (a Neolithic culture). It is also a powerful testimony which proves the ancestors of Wuzhen have lived in the town since 6,000 years ago. Belonging to alluvial plain, Wuzhen is wet and warm all the year round. Plentiful rain, abundant sunshine, rich productions make it commonly known as a fertile land of rice and fish and home of silk.
Wuzhen Attractions
One Hundred Beds Museum in southern China
Folk Custom Museum in southern China
Wuzhen Storys
An old temple, named as “General Wu Temple”, was initially located on the north of the theatre on the west bank. Inside the temple, there was an old ginkgo. At present, the temple has disappeared; but the ginkgo still stands on the relic. The old tree is too wide that three people can just embrace it hand in hand. Seen far from over 10km away, the treetop is still visible. As to the ginkgo, there is an ancient legend about it. It is said that about 1,000 years ago, in the Tangxianzong (an emperor of Tang dynasty) period, a general, named Wuzan, was patriotic and heroic. Most local common people spoke highly of him. However, central authorities became weaker and weaker after the Rebellion of An and Shi because of local separatists. The governor of Zhejiang Province, Liqi, also wanted to dominate and revolt. Being conscious of his intention, the emperor dispatched general Wu and another general, Wuqi, to suppress the traitor. At first, the rebel army was defeated and ran away. General Wu and his army did not give up catching up with them until Liqi suddenly hung the cease-fire flag. However, to general Wu’s surprise, Liqi’s army stroked his campsite at night. General Wu fell into
a trap which was designed by Liqi when he pursued and attacked. Finally, he was murdered by arrows. General Wu drew up with Liqi and repelled Liqi and his army. He buried general Wu and his horse on the Chexi River bank. Out of the blue, a plant of gingko nearby his tomb grew up in one night. But it never fruited. Local common people believed the tree was an incarnation of general Wu. To memorize this patriotic general, “General Wu Temple” was constructed.
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