Introduction
Traveling from Hangzhou to the ancient water town of Wuzhen is straightforward. One of the most efficient route involves a high-speed train to Tongxiang followed by a bus or taxi. This guide outlines your options for a smooth journey.
Your Two Main Travel Options
You essentially have two primary routes to choose from:
- 1. Train + Bus/Taxi (Most Common): Take a high-speed train from Hangzhou East Station to Tongxiang Station (20-30 minutes), then transfer to local buses or a taxi for the final segment to Wuzhen.
- 2. Direct Bus (Simplest): Board a direct bus from Hangzhou to Wuzhen, which takes you to the scenic area with minimal transfers.
Option 1: High-Speed Train & Local Connection
This is often the fastest overall method.
- Step 1: Train to Tongxiang: High-speed trains (G-trains) depart frequently from Hangzhou East Railway Station to Tongxiang Station. The journey is brief, taking only 20-30 minutes.
- Step 2: Tongxiang to Wuzhen: Upon exiting Tongxiang Station, you have two choices for the final leg:
- By Local Bus: Take bus K281 or K282 to Wuzhen Bus Station (approx. 1 hour), then transfer to bus K350 for a short 10-minute ride to the Xizha Scenic Area entrance.
- By Taxi/Didi: For greater convenience, take a taxi or a Didi (ride-hailing app) directly from Tongxiang Station to Wuzhen Xizha. This takes about 40-50 minutes and costs approximately CNY 100 (just for reference), but eliminates bus transfers.
| Route Segment | Bus Number(s) | Estimated Time | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tongxiang Station to Wuzhen Bus Station | K281, K282 | ~60 minutes | Every 15-30 minutes |
| Wuzhen Bus Station to Xizha Scenic Area | K350 | 10-15 minutes | Regular intervals |
| Buy bus tickets online at www.trip.com/wuzhen-water-town.htm | |||
Option 2: Direct Bus from Hangzhou
If you prefer to avoid train transfers, direct buses are a good alternative. They depart from several stations in Hangzhou, such as the Jiubao Bus Station and the Tourism Distribution Center, and go directly to Wuzhen. The trip takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Direct Buses from Major Cities via Trip.com
For an even more streamlined journey, you can bypass the train journey to Tongxiang altogether. Trip.com offers direct bus services to Wuzhen from several major cities. This can be a great time-saver, connecting tourist areas directly and eliminating the hassle of multiple transfers. Key departure points include:
- Shanghai: Longyang Road Metro Station, Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, Shanghai Pudong Airport.
- Hangzhou: West Lake, Wulin Square, Hangzhou East Railway Station, Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport.
- Suzhou: Suzhou Railway Station.
- Tickets can be bought via link www.trip.com/travel-guide/attraction/tongxiang/wuzhen-79254/.
Ticket Purchase & Helpful Tips
- Tickets: Buy train tickets in advance via Trip.com or at the station. For local buses, pay with cash upon boarding. Direct bus tickets can also be booked online.
- Wuzhen Entry: The West Scenic Area (Xizha) requires a separate ticket (approx. CNY 150). A combined ticket for both East and West areas is available for CNY 190.
- Pro Tip: Consider spending a night in Wuzhen. The atmosphere becomes especially peaceful after day-trippers depart.
Trusted Online Ticket Agents:
Option 1: Trip.com is an internatioal brand owned by Ctrip Group, China's largest online travel booking platform. Trip.com offers booking service for flight, train, hotel, activities, etc
Option 2: China Highlights is a reliable online agency for China train ticketing. They get positive reviews on TripAdvisor & Trustpilot. Sharon and her team help you buy tickets & plan rail routes even deliver tickets to your hotels with a service fee.
