The Wuzhen Theatre Festival is an international cultural event held every autumn in Wuzhen, Zhejiang Province. In just over a decade, it has grown from a budding festival into a world-class platform that dialogues with the likes of the Avignon and Edinburgh festivals, transforming the millennium-old water town into a boundless stage for the arts.
Origins: The Dream of Four Founders
The festival was born from a visionary idea.In the early 2000s, Chen Xianghong, the master planner behind Wuzhen’s restoration, was invited by actor Huang Lei to watch a play. Struck by the audience’s passion, Chen envisioned creating a theatre festival in Wuzhen. He joined forces with three leading figures in Chinese theatre—Huang Lei, Stan Lai (Lai Shengchuan), and Meng Jinghui—to form the core team. After studying major international festivals, they decided to plant the seed of drama in Wuzhen.
On May 9, 2013, the first Wuzhen Theatre Festival opened with Stan Lai’s epic drama “A Dream Like a Dream.” It featured 6 invited plays, 12 young theatre artists’ competition works, and attracted nearly 180,000 visitors. Today, a single edition can present around 25 outstanding productions from across the globe and attract over 350,000 attendees.
Core Values: Significance Beyond the Celebration
Rejuvenating the Ancient Town: It has turned Wuzhen from a “sightseeing destination” into a “cultural destination,” connecting its traditional heritage with international contemporary art.
Nurturing New Talent: The “Young Artists’ Competition” is free and open to the public. Over more than ten years, it has launched the careers of over 800 emerging artists. Programs like the “Dragonfly Project” further support these works for national tours.
Demystifying Art and Aesthetic Education: With thousands of free street performances during the “Town Carnival,” it breaks down the barriers of theatre, allowing the public to encounter art in everyday settings.
Fostering International Dialogue: By consistently hosting world-class productions and masters, the festival has become a key window for deep Sino-foreign theatrical collaboration and cultural exchange.
Main Program Sections
Invited Performances: Cutting-edge theatrical productions from around the world, representing the festival’s artistic caliber.
Young Artists’ Competition: A competition for emerging theatre makers. Free to watch, it is the core platform for discovering new talent.
Town Carnival: Thousands of free street performances of various forms that fill every corner of the town.
Workshops: Conversations between artists and audiences, plus masterclasses, offering opportunities for in-depth exchange.
Theatre Market: A comprehensive cultural living area with music, market stalls, and food, particularly vibrant at night.
Granary Theatre: Performances in unique spaces like the old granary and script readings, exploring new possibilities for theatre.
Evolution: From Festival to Cultural IP
Boosting Tourism: It creates a significant “cultural golden week,” elevating the Wuzhen brand.
Extending the Industry Chain: Initiatives like the “Dragonfly Project” help tour outstanding works, forming an industrial loop.
International Positioning: By consistently presenting top international productions, it consolidates its role as a hub for Asian theatre exchange, aiming to become a “century-old festival.”
Key Travel Tips for Visitors
Timing & Ticketing: Held in mid-to-late October annually. Tickets for Invited Performances must be purchased in advance via official channels (average price ~380 RMB, includes one entry to the West Scenic Zone). Tickets for the Young Artists’ Competition are free but require reservation.
Planning Your Visit: A 2-3 day trip is recommended. Watch plays and the carnival by day; attend the competition or visit the market by night. Don’t miss a boat ride on a traditional wooden vessel and the exclusive “Morning Tea Market” for hotel guests.
Accommodation & Transport: It is highly recommended to stay inside the West Scenic Zone. Guests enjoy benefits like free scenic zone entry, shuttle rides, and luggage transfer. Fly to Hangzhou/Shanghai and transfer by direct bus, or take a high-speed train to “Tongxiang Station” and transfer by public bus.
Food Exploration: Try local snacks like Dingsheng cakes, pan-fried radish cakes, and dried vegetable pancakes. Theme restaurants inside the scenic zone also offer great dining options.
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