In the south of the Yangtze River Delta near Shanghai, there are many secluded and peaceful ancient water towns. They have in common ancient bridges, flagstone streets, well-proportioned waterfront houses with whitewashed wall and black tile roofs varying in height, charming watercourses and streets running parallel to each other. But Wuzhen seems to contain richer historical and cultural flavors, maybe because it boasts the best conservation project among all of the ancient towns in Yangtze River Delta, most venerated history and least modern influences. Now it is commonly known that Wuzhen is the best preserved water town in China. Together with Nanxun, Xitang in Zhejiang Province and Zhouzhuang, Tongli, Luzhi in Jiangsu Province, Wuzhen received a UNESCO Asian-Pacific Heritage Award for its preservation of traditional architecture. When the local people opened the ancient riverine town of Wuzhen to visitors in early 2001, they were determined to avoid the tacky mix of tourist restaurants and souvenir shops that has swamped other nearby water towns. Wuzhen has been preserved rather than restored, lovingly kept rather than tarted up, and its ancient ways of life maintained. Most of all, Wuzhen is still a living town, where daily life goes on seemingly unimpeded by a growing trickle of visitors.

Wuzhen, a town with a history of 1200 years, is only around 2 hours drive from Shanghai. It is divided in two parts of touristic interest: Xizha (West Wuzhen) and Dongzha (East Wuzhen).  Xizha has a special charm, it is renovated with the investment of around 1 Billion Chinese dollar. Now The ancient Xizha Street is one of the best-kept architectures of Ming and Qing dynasties in China. There are residential area, workshop area, culture area, ancient college, temples and Pagoda, gardens, bridges, dining area, shopping area, all of these feature local traditions and customs.

The night view in Xizha (West Part of Wuzhen) boasts one of the best night view sceneries in China – it is the fairyland you never dreamed.

More about Wuzhen Town at its official website:  http://www.wuzhen.com.cn/english/index.asp

How to tour in Wuzhen Town?
1) More info about the East Part and West Part of Wuzhen Town:
When arrived at Wuzhen Bus Station, tourists should take the tricycle to the ancient Wuzhen town. It is around 10 minutes from the Bus Station to the West Part of Wuzhen Town. Maybe costs around RMB20 - RMB30 one way for one tricycle.

Ancient Wuzhen Town Tourist Area is with West and East Part. There is around 1.5 or 2 km between them. Normally one day tour can only visit one part.

The East Part is developed early and now there are still the local people staying in it. There are two streets along one limpid narrow canal with old buildings and bridges and nice canals in it. The entrance fee of it is cheaper than west part. So it is very crowded and almost all of the one day tour group of local Chinese to Wuzhen from Shanghai organized by travel services would only visit this East Part of Wuzhen, because it is cheaper. But tell you the truth that the cream of Wuzhen is its West Part - it is somewhat like a very very big Xintiandi (The Xintiandi area is the most famous fashion center inside the old building region in the former French Concession in downtown Shanghai.), but in the shape of South China Water Village with cannels, rivers, islands, bridges, temples, Pagoda, former farmers' buildings, many long and old streets, gardens and so on... 

The official website of Wuzhen is: http://www.wuzhen.com.cn/
It has the English version. So you can have more info in their website.

When you arrive at the West Part of Wuzhen, you will buy the entrance ticket at the Reception Hall which is right like a charming hotel lobby but in the typical ancient Chinese features. If you stay in the hotel in the West Part of Wuzhen, you will also check in your hotel here. Your luggage will be shipped into your hotel from here and you will check in the West Part of Wuzhen at this hall. then you will take a boat from the Check-in Lobby side to cross a picturesque lake to get into the town. It is free of charge. (of course you can also walk along the causeway to get into it.)

The main street inside the West Part is around 1800 m from the east end to the west end. The old local people's residences by the side of the street have been converted into home stay hotel which can meet the international standard. But government also employed the original owner of these houses to maintain these hotel rooms. So you will find that they will tell you that these rooms are their home and you are welcome to visit their home.

The boat course is around 1700m long. You can take boat there. But is only takes around 20 or 30 minutes. It should be paid additionally.

2) Some Tips about the sightseeing at Wuzhen Town:

If you take a private car, you can visit the East Part of Wuzhen when you arrive at Wuzhen at first. It is near the highway and the long distance bus station. After the tour in the East Part of Wuzhen, you can get to the West Part of Wuzhen to check in the hotel and the scenic area. Then enjoy the charming night view at the West Part of Wuzhen. You can also enjoy your time at the riverside bars there at night.

The set ticket totally for the East and West Part of Wuzhen is RMB200 per adult, RMB135 for the baby with the height between 1.2 -1.5 m, Below 1.2 m baby is free of charge.

If you buy the ticket separately, the entrance ticket to the West Part of Wuzhen is RMB150 and to the East Part is RMB120 per adult.

You also need to buy the entrance ticket even if you stay inside the West Part of Wuzhen.

You can get out of the West Part of Wuzhen during your stay in the West Part of Wuzhen. Please be sure that do not forget to tell the guard when you leave the West Part of Wuzhen that you stay inside the West Part of Wuzhen and will come back again, and they will ask you to leave your fingerprint there.

If you take the long distance bus to Wuzhen, you should check in the hotel at the West Part of Wuzhen at first. Then leave the West Part of Wuzhen to get to the East Part of Wuzhen for a visit.