XITANG HISTORIC TOWN OF CHINA(Xitang Ancient Town)

I thought Wuzhen was the pinnacle of Jiangnan beauty, until I stumbled upon Xitang at night. It's often said that the beauty of Jiangnan lies hidden in the misty rain, but Xitang's night transforms that beauty into a tangible dream. As twilight washes over the bluestone slabs and lanterns light up one by one, their light and shadow mingling on the river's surface, I finally understand what "the lanterns are lit, and the ideal world is revealed" truly means. Walking along the covered corridor, my fingertips brushing against the weathered wooden pillars, I felt as if I had traveled back a century; standing by Yongning Bridge, even the wind carried the melody of "The Wanderer," every frame a natural cinematic scene. The red lanterns in Flower Lane are most eye-catching, their layers reflecting the water's hue, every snapshot a masterpiece of atmosphere; the bar street after nightfall is also fascinating, the folk songs emanating from the ancient buildings intertwining with the sound of flowing water to create a unique romance.

Xitang is nice, at least better than Zhouzhuang and Tongli. My personal ranking: Xitang, Tongli, Zhouzhuang Nanhu Lake itself doesn't have an entrance fee, only the ferry ticket. From the lakeside to the island in the middle of the lake, you can see the red boat. Xitang: 3 hours; Nanhu Lake: 2 hours

Xitang Ancient Town, located in Jiashan County, Jiaxing City, is one of the six Jiangnan ancient towns. Compared to other ancient towns, it lacks large gardens and prominent families, but it has a more lively atmosphere, and local residents enjoy a leisurely and comfortable lifestyle.

Xitang Ancient Town is very close to Shanghai, and it only takes about an hour to drive from Xuhui District. Xitang Ancient Town operates by buying tickets during the day and free in the evening. I feel comfortable visiting the scenic area during the day when I bought tickets, because there are not many people and there is no crowd when taking photos; it also allows many tourists to enter the scenic area in the evening, which makes it more popular. If you stay in the scenic area in the evening, the next day is also free. In this way, a balance will be achieved between tourists and businesses. The area of ​​the ancient town scenic area is not small, and it really takes two or three days to visit it slowly.

Xitang Ancient Town is located in Jiashan County, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province. It is one of the six ancient towns in the south of the Yangtze River and is famous for its "many bridges, alleys, and corridors". Xitang Ancient Town is famous for its water town landscape, with crisscrossing rivers and numerous ancient bridges. There are a total of 24 stone bridges connecting the ancient town. Visitors can take a wupeng boat, travel between rivers, and experience the unique charm of the Jiangnan water town. The ancient town has preserved a large number of ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The most famous of them is the Misty Corridor, a corridor built along the river with a total length of about 1,300 meters that can both provide shade and shelter from rain. Xitang Ancient Town is famous for its Hanfu Culture Week and Drama Art Week, and is a gathering place for traditional culture enthusiasts. When night falls, the lights in the ancient town light up, and the lights and the moon are reflected on the river, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. Tickets: Adult ticket price is 95 yuan, student ticket price is half price. Entry is free before 8 am or after 5 pm (after 9 pm on holidays), but some small attractions still require ticket inspection. Opening hours: 8:00-17:00 in summer time, 8:00-16:30 in winter time. Recommended attractions Misty Corridor: The landmark building of the ancient town, suitable for taking photos and checking in. Shipi Lane: Xitang’s “One Line of Sky”, a narrow and deep lane. Huanxiu Bridge: A stone arch bridge from the Ming Dynasty, suitable for taking photos in the morning and evening. China Button Museum: Showcasing Xitang’s unique craftsmanship.

Ancient town with poems and paintings, water town people are full of wine and tea! #Water town style, ancient and modern integration I. Introduction to the ancient town Xitang Ancient Town is located in Jiashan County, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, at the junction of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai, with convenient transportation. As one of the representatives of Jiangnan water towns, Xitang attracts countless tourists to explore with its simple and elegant architectural style, rich cultural heritage and unique water town style. It not only has a history of more than 800 years, but is also one of the birthplaces of ancient Wuyue culture, and is known as the "living thousand-year-old town". II. Transportation Guide Train: Xitang has no railway station, but the nearest Jiashan Station and Jiashan South Station have abundant train schedules, which can be connected to Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou and other cities. From Jiashan Station or Jiashan South Station, you can easily reach Xitang by bus or taxi. Bus: Hangzhou, Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanjing and other cities have direct buses to Xitang, which is the most convenient choice to reach Xitang. After arriving at Xitang Bus Station, you can walk or take a local tricycle to the ancient town. 3. Recommended tour routes Route 1: Wang's House - Ni's House: This route allows you to appreciate the ancient charm of Xitang Ancient Town. Along the way, you can enjoy historically significant buildings such as Wang's House, Xiyuan, and Ni's House. It is recommended that you take photos with the door frames, window frames and other characteristic elements in the ancient house when you visit. Route 2: Ni's House - Bar Street: Starting from Ni's House, you can stroll to the lively bar street and feel the unique atmosphere of the blend of ancient and modern times. The bars here have their own characteristics and are a good place to relax. Route 3: Bar Street - Huguo Suiliangwang Temple: After Bar Street, you can go to Huguo Suiliangwang Temple, which is a temple of historical significance and worth a visit. If you have enough time, you may wish to visit the ancient town again at night to experience its unique charm. 4. Food Recommendations Cicada's Shell Baoyuan: Golden skin and delicious fillings are one of the specialties of Xitang. Steamed Pork with Rice Flour: Steamed pork with pork belly wrapped in rice flour, with a unique taste that is memorable. Steamed Baishui fish: Baishui fish is fresh, tender and smooth, and paired with simple seasoning, it is more authentic. Stinky tofu: As a representative of Jiangnan folk cuisine, stinky tofu exudes a unique fragrance and is one of the must-try delicacies. 5. Accommodation recommendation There are many unique homestays and hotels in Xitang Ancient Town, and you can choose the accommodation that suits you. It is recommended to book in advance to avoid delaying the trip. 6. Warm Tips Xitang Ancient Town has multiple exits. Please be careful not to walk out of the ancient town by mistake when visiting. If you walk out accidentally, you can enter again with your ticket. Some sections of the road in the ancient town are slabs, so please pay attention to safety when walking. Some attractions in the ancient town require tickets. It is recommended to understand the ticket prices and preferential policies in advance. Taking photos is quite good

This time I chose to go there at night, so I could get free tickets. There were still a lot of people. But eating there is really not cheap. I walked around and saw the legendary bar street after crossing a bridge. It felt like I had entered another world. There were some young men and women welcoming guests at the door. The lights were dim inside. Through the window, I could feel the deafening music and crazy people drinking and dancing. I didn't dare to go in with my children. Haha! There are so many people taking travel photos, and it has become a trend now. The rest is the scenery that all ancient towns have.

Practical travel notes for Xitang Ancient Town (updated in May 2025) —— An immersive experience guide for Jiangnan Water Village I. Transportation Guide: 5 easy ways to get there 1. High-speed rail + transfer: Depart from Shanghai/Hangzhou/Suzhou, take the high-speed rail to "Jiashan South Station", transfer to bus K222 (40 minutes, fare 2 yuan) or take a taxi (about 50 yuan) to the scenic spot. 2. Direct bus: Shanghai South Station/Hangzhou Passenger Transport Center has multiple direct buses to Xitang every day (fare 35-50 yuan, 1.5 hours). 3. Self-driving navigation: Tourists from Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai can take the Shenjia Lake Expressway. The south/north parking lot of the scenic spot is capped at 30 yuan for 24 hours, and it takes 5 minutes to walk into the town. 4. Night tour line: Hangzhou and Suzhou open the "Xitang Night Special Bus" on weekends, departing at 18:30, suitable for off-peak tours in the evening. 5. Scenic spot transfer: Free battery cars in the town connect the main attractions. People wearing Hanfu or cheongsam can take priority (taking photos is more effective). 2. Must-see attractions: 10 highlights check-in points 1. Misty Rain Corridor (free): 1.3 kilometers of riverside corridors, walking in the rain is like entering an ink painting, it is recommended to take empty shots at 6:00 in the morning. 2. Songzi Laifeng Bridge (included in the combined ticket): The double bridges in the Ming Dynasty are divided into male and female paths. Touch the stone carvings at the bridge head to seek marriage. You can send future postcards at the "Cat's Sky City" bookstore on the bridge. 3. Shipi Lane (free): 68 meters long and 0.8 meters wide "One Line Sky" ancient lane, wearing light-colored clothes is easier to take pictures with a sense of depth. 4. Xiyuan (combined ticket attraction): Jiangnan Gardens and Zhu Nianci Fan Museum are combined, and there are Pingtan performances during the afternoon tea time (14:00-15:30). 5. Zuiyuan (combined ticket attraction): a miniature garden with carved window lattices that can be called an architectural textbook, a must-see for photography enthusiasts. 6. Ni's House (combined ticket attraction): a complex of official residences in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and the "Xiaoshantang" teahouse in the backyard to experience Song Dynasty tea-making (128 yuan/person). 7. Huanxiu Bridge Night View: Best after the lanterns are lit at 19:30, you can rent a black-sailed boat for a night tour (30 minutes/120 yuan), and the boatman will sing "Xitang Xiaodiao". 8. China Button Museum (combined ticket attraction): displays rare collections such as jade buttons from the Qing Dynasty, and the DIY area can customize cheongsam buttons (starting from 38 yuan). 9. Tangdong Bar Street: Recommend the "Da Bing's Hut" folk song bar, and after 22:00, switch to the "Xitang Story" to experience the water curtain DJ party. 10. Wuguniang Theme Park (free): The birthplace of love legends, there is a holographic projection light show on weekend nights (two shows at 20:00/21:00). **Conclusion**: The beauty of Xitang lies in the smoke of cooking in the "living thousand-year-old town". It is recommended to arrange a 2-day and 1-night itinerary: the first day is a rush to check in, and the second day is to enjoy morning tea and listen to the sound of oars.