和家老街酒楼

Most of the dishes are good, but some portions are a bit small.

🏮【Must-See Attractions】 ▫️West Street: We recommend entering the park after 3 PM! Start by strolling along the cobblestone streets and alleyways. The waterfront houses are adorned with red lanterns, and vines drape from the eaves over the water, creating a Jiangnan ink painting experience. Around 6 PM, the lanterns light up, bathing West Street in warm light. Take a rowboat under the bridge and watch the lights on both sides of the river shimmer in the water—it's truly relaxing! 🏮 Evenings are perfect for visiting the open-air cinema, where you can grab a bamboo chair and sit by the river to watch a classic film, the breeze filled with the fragrance of green grass. ▫️East Street: Arrive early! Arriving before 7 AM, before the tourists flocked in, local residents washed vegetables and hung laundry by the river. The cobblestone pavement was wet with dew. The photos I took were free of the crowds, showcasing the authentic nature of the ancient town. 📷 Don't miss Mao Dun's former residence inside. The wooden window lattices of the old house are carved with patterns, and the pomegranate trees in the courtyard are laden with fruit. Standing under the porch, you can imagine life in the old days. ▫️Mu Xin Art Museum: Tucked away deep in Xizha, this white, exposed concrete building sits next to the river. The light inside is incredibly soft. When reading Mr. Mu Xin's manuscripts, the sunlight filtering through the blinds onto the paper gives even the words a gentle touch. 🎨 Outside the museum, there's a small plaza with benches where you can sit and watch the wupan boats drifting slowly on the river. It's a relaxing place to spend half an hour. ▫️Wuzhen Theater Festival: Held every year in mid-to-late October! Grab your tickets in advance on Ctrip. Not only can you see the show in the theater, but the streets and alleys are filled with surprises—you might even stumble upon a masked actor performing an impromptu performance on a corner, or someone playing the piano and singing on a stone bridge. 🎭 Remember to bring a small notebook so you can ask the performers to sign your favorite street performances. 🍜[Local's Secret Delight] ✅ Dingsheng Cake: Head to the "Old Street Cake Shop" at the entrance to Dongzha! The pink cake is soft and non-sticky, and the delicate red bean paste filling is just the right amount of sweet without being cloying. The owner explains that the cake is steamed with glutinous rice flour and brown sugar, symbolizing "certain victory." Buy two as a perfect souvenir!🍡 ✅ Scallion-wrapped cypress: Made fresh at the "Old Jiangnan Snack Stall" in Xizha! The chef fries the dough sticks until golden and crispy, wraps them in a soft, toasted spring roll, and smears them with sweet bean sauce and a hint of chili sauce. They crackle when you bite into them, and the aroma of scallions and the sauce permeate your nose. 😋 It's best eaten hot; if they're cold, the dough sticks won't be crispy. ✅ Black Rice: "Grandma's Black Rice" on Nanzha Old Street is a time-honored establishment! They use glutinous rice soaked in juice from pounded nanzhu leaves. The rice is a vibrant purple with a delicate herbal fragrance, and it's soft and chewy without being sticky. Grandma always adds a small dish of white sugar for dipping, making it even sweeter. 🍚 A bowl for breakfast is both filling and refreshing. ✅ Scholar's Lamb Noodles: If you're visiting in winter, you absolutely have to stop by "Canal Lamb Noodle House"! The lamb is stewed to a tender, boneless consistency, easily falling off the bone with chopsticks. The broth, simmered with lamb bones and spices, is a creamy white. Sprinkle with chopped green onions and enjoy with the chewy noodles. Every bite of noodles and broth warms you up. 🍜 The owner says their lamb is pre-diluted with rice wine, leaving it completely free of any tang. 🏡[How to Choose Accommodation] ▫️B&Bs within the Xizha Scenic Area: Choose the "Waterside Home" series! With the river right outside your window, you can fall asleep to the sound of boats. In the morning, a hostess will deliver a complimentary Wuzhen breakfast—white porridge with pickled vegetables and freshly steamed rice cakes. B&B owners are very helpful and can point you to the least crowded alleys for photo opportunities. Booking on Ctrip two weeks in advance will ensure you get a room with a small balcony. ▫️B&Bs near the Dongzha Scenic Area: Choose one within a 5-minute walk of the Dongzha entrance! For just over 100 yuan per person, you can stay in a clean room. It's super convenient to get up around 6 a.m. and walk to Dongzha to take photos of the deserted ancient town. The innkeeper can even lend you bamboo poles (the kind used for hanging clothes) as photo props, giving your photos a whirlwind of Jiangnan flair. 🚣‍♀️[Special Experience] ✔️ Take a Wupeng Boat Ride: For Xizha's rowboats, opt for a "double-person sculling boat"! The boatman sings a soft, melodious Jiangnan tune as he rows. Watching the houses on both sides slowly recede, and the occasional cat perched on the riverside railings, gazing at the water, makes time seem to slow down. Be sure to choose a boat around 4 p.m. to enjoy the ride from daylight until dusk, watching the light and shadows transform the colors. ✔️ Handmade Grass Dyeing: Visit the "Grass Dyeing Workshop" in Xizha! The master will teach you how to soak the cloth in indigo juice and weave your desired pattern. Watching the white cloth slowly transform into a blue background with white flowers as it hangs to dry is a truly rewarding experience. The finished small square scarves can be used as bookmarks and even printed with the Wuzhen seal. ✔️Listen to Pingtan in a Teahouse: Sit down at the "Linshui Teahouse" in Dongzha! Order a pot of Biluochun (Biluochun) with a plate of sunflower seeds, while the aunt on stage sings "Jasmine Flower" on a sanxian (three-stringed lute). The soft Wu dialect blends with the music, while you sip tea and watch the black-sailed boats pass by outside the window – this is the true comfort of Jiangnan. ⚠️[Avoid Pitfalls] ❌Don't buy cheap silk scarves sold at the entrance to scenic spots! Those colorful scarves look cheap, feel rough, and pill easily. If you're looking for souvenirs, head to the "old-fashioned silk shops" in Xizha for small, reliable silk square scarves. ❌Don't take a pedicab! Those pedicab drivers who claim to take you to the scenic spot for 5 yuan actually take a longer route and even take you to buy local specialties for a commission. The walk from Dongzha to Xizha takes 20 minutes, so if you don't want to walk, take a regular taxi. 💡Tips: Taking photos in Hanfu is super atmospheric! Choose a light-colored ruqun (skirt) and pair it with embroidered shoes. Stand on the stone bridge in Xizha and have your companions take photos from the other side of the river. With lanterns as the backdrop, it's so beautiful you'll look like you stepped out of a painting. Bring an oil-paper umbrella as a prop! ☔ When it rains, hold it open while walking through the alleys. The sound of the rain hitting the umbrella is so soothing. #WuzhenTravel #ZhejiangTravel #AncientTownsAndVillagesWorthVisiting #JiangnanWaterVillage #ThePlacesMyFriendsOnFacebook