Not far from the hustle and bustle of Shanghai is a beautiful town that seems like a completely different world. Cobbled streets, old buildings, bridges arching over canals, rowing boats lingering on the river, locals singing folk songs - this is Xitang, a charming, ancient water town far away from the noise of the big city. Mornings in Xitang bring fresh air and light fog; during the evening, the setting sun casts a rosy glow on the old tiled rooves. It truly is a world away.
It dates back to the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC-476 BC) and the Warring States Period (476 BC-221 BC). Xitang was a place of strategic importance on the boundary of the Wu and Yue states. Its flat terrain is marked by a quiet, natural environment with rivers running through it. From a bird's-eye view of the whole town, one sees blue water sparkling almost in every point the eyes touch and reflections of the houses in the water. The quiet water, handsome bridges, and the reflections in the early morning and the rosy sunset, fishing boats and the glistening lights in the evening, form an amazing picture full of a sense of poetry which can only be seen in the south lower reaches of the Yangtze River. People in Xitang, whether local residents or travelers, feel that this is fairyland. They even have no idea as to whether people are wandering in the picture or the picture is moving in their hearts.
Accommodation The best place to stay in town is undoubtedly the Xitang Hotel. It is at 308 Hongfu Road, and is situated close to the river, so you ll feel like you re floating on the water as you sleep!
Food: Although it's a small town, Xitang has a whole host of tasty local treats for you to sample and enjoy. There s a great mix of folk dishes and street snacks which have all the flavors of the southern Yangtze River region. For something a little more elegant, try the Qiantang Restaurant to the north Yongning Bridge. Have a leisurely meal beside the water, taste local Chinese wine, and watch the rowing boats pass a perfect dining experience!
Shopping: If you want to take home some local souvenirs and delicacies, buy some "Liuyuehong" crab, and "Bazhen" cake, which is reported to have special medical effects. Also, pick up a bottle of the well-known Jiashan yellow wine which was first made in the Qing Dynasty.
Entertainment: Unlike the big cities nearby, Xitang doesn t have very much by way of entertainment facilities. Having said that, the opportunity to go fishing with the locals on their boats shouldn t be missed. What better way to get to know a town than to spend time with local folk? As night falls, walk along the river banks to hear folk songs it s not a nightclub, but who needs rowdy hip-hop when you can listen to local girls singing traditional melodies as the sun goes down?
Bridges
The bridges to the south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River are like the hyperlink to the internet. They are indispensable not only in terms of convenience but also in terms of beauty. Waterways are interwoven in Xitang, so it is not surprising that many bridges cross over the rivers. Here the creative shapes of bridges are very different from each other. What's more, beautiful legends about these bridges are still spread among the people. The craftsmanship of these well-preserved bridges is so masterly that they are indeed a feast for your eyes. Exquisite bridges dot the mirror-like rivers one after another, like flaring clusters of diamonds on the neck of the old town.
Houses
In the old town of Xitang, people who live there are not rich, so no newer modern houses have been built there. That's maybe one of the reasons why the old constructions are preserved as a whole almost without damage. In those archaic houses, besides the culture and value of the houses themselves, there are also displays of cultural relics or woodcarvings or eaves tiles collected by the house owner. To this day there are exhibitions of the ancient rare books of the owners passed down from generation to generation or rubbings from a stone inscription of a famous calligrapher.
On the roofs of some old houses in Xitang, the grass is about one chi (about 13 inches) tall. It is said that the spirit of the former owner of the house joins with the grass, making it flourish and blessing the peace and permanence of the house as well as the prosperity of the entire town.
Transportation
Normal Bus Timetable: In Shanghai, you can wait in the waiting hall of the side of No. 5 gate of Shanghai gymnasium of Xuhui District, the bus to Jiashan County will start on time at 09:00 am in every Saturday and Sunday. In Nanjing, you can wait in the east long-distance bus station and the bus to Jiashan County will set out on time at 14:40 pm.
Admission Fee:
CNY 100 (tickets include both the scenic region and 11 sightseeing spots);
CNY 50 (tickets for the scenic region only)
Opening Hours: Whole day