Xu Chang Sauce Garden, established in the ninth year of the Xianfeng Emperor’s reign in the Qing Dynasty (1859), stands as one of the earliest sauce gardens in Wuzhen. As soon as one steps into the courtyard of the garden, a rich aroma of pickles fills the air. The entire yard is lined with grey-green sauce jars, each topped with a large bamboo hat, which has become a standard depiction of Xu Chang in photographers’ lenses.
The ancient traditional brewing methods, workshops with their own brands, and rows of outdoor sauce jars are what draw visitors’ attention to Xu Chang. The jars are imprinted with the words ‘Xu Chang Sauce Garden’ and ‘Xianfeng Ninth Year’, allowing visitors to feel the century-old history of the place. In the shop in front of the workshop, one can purchase special products from Xu Chang Sauce Garden, such as broad bean paste, soy sauce, and pickles. The prices are not too high; soy sauce is typically priced at around ten to twenty yuan per bottle. It’s a good choice to bring some back as a seasoning or to give as a gift to friends and family. The garden is open all year round from 09:00 to 17:00.
