Travel Experience in Xitang Town: Two Days and One Night

Xitang Town, one of the six ancient towns in Jiangnan, is located in Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province. It is a typical ancient water town. Xitang attracts countless tourists with its ancient waterways, mottled white walls and black tiles, and long history and culture. Here, you can feel the unique charm of the Jiangnan water town and immerse yourself in the traditional customs hidden in the alleys. I spent two leisurely days and one night in Xitang, and here is my travel experience. Day 1: Exploring Xitang Morning: Arriving in Xitang and Strolling Through Ancient Streets Starting from Hangzhou, it took about two hours by car to reach Xitang. This ancient town is famous for its unique water town scenery and cultural atmosphere. Walking on the ancient streets, you can see typical Jiangnan water town architecture with white walls and black tiles, and stone-paved roads, exuding a strong sense of history. My first stop was the "Wuyue Ancient Street" in Xitang. This street preserves the most original appearance of the Jiangnan water town. The street is not wide but very characteristic. The old shops and vendor stalls on both sides are full of life, making me feel like I have traveled back a hundred years. There are many shops selling local handicrafts, such as embroidery, ceramics, and wood carvings, each piece being a work of art made with care by craftsmen. As I walked, I came to the "Shipi Lane" in Xitang. This quiet and charming alley has few tourists, allowing me to hear the echo of my footsteps. The old houses on both sides are covered with moss and vines, as if every wall tells a story. This was my first time feeling the charm of Xitang: it is not just the scenery of the water town, but also the feeling of time standing still here. Noon: Tasting Local Cuisine For lunch, I chose a local restaurant with distinctive features. Xitang's cuisine is very local, especially "white-cut pork" and "water town cake." White-cut pork is a traditional dish in Xitang, with tender meat and a fresh taste; water town cake is made of glutinous rice with brown sugar, sweet but not greasy. Sitting in the restaurant, the quiet waterscape outside the window made me slow down and enjoy this peaceful life. Afternoon: Touring Xitang's Water Alleys and Ancient Buildings After lunch, I continued exploring on "Xishi Street" in Xitang. Xishi Street is an old street with hundreds of years of history. Most of the shops along the street still retain their ancient facades, and vendors come and go, selling various goods. There are some small bridges and waterways on the street, with leisurely boats floating slowly on the water, creating a serene scene that makes time seem to slow down. The highlight of the afternoon was a water alley tour. Xitang's waterways are interwoven, with both ancient Jiangnan water alleys and beautiful arch bridges. I chose to take a local black-awning boat and drift along the river. The boatman softly communicated with tourists in the local dialect, introducing the scenic spots along the way. From the boat, the ancient buildings on both sides, the green willows, and the gently rippling water formed a beautiful picture of the Jiangnan water town. This experience was truly delightful, as if all worries drifted away with the water. Evening: Xitang's Night and Night Market In the evening, Xitang's night view has a unique charm. As the sun sets, the buildings on both sides are reflected on the water, like a painting. At this time, the shops along the ancient streets and water alleys began to bustle. Xitang's night market has many authentic snacks, such as "sugar lotus root," "stinky tofu," and various stalls, with the aroma filling the streets. I stopped at a stall to taste freshly fried stinky tofu, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a rich taste. The night in Xitang is even more charming, with neon lights reflecting on the ancient streets, making people forget the time. Day 2: Exploring Xitang's Cultural Heritage Morning: Xitang at Dawn On the second day, I decided to wander around Xitang in the early morning. At this time, Xitang is completely different from the bustling daytime, with only a few early-rising residents and morning tourists. I walked along the stone-paved road to the main street, with the sound of birds in the morning and a peaceful atmosphere all around. Standing on the bridge at the corner of the street, the water in the distance reflected the rising sun, and the beauty of this moment was unforgettable. Morning: Visiting Xitang's Historical Sites Xitang is not only a picturesque water town but also has a rich historical heritage. In the morning, I visited several historical sites in Xitang, including the "Shen Wansan's Former Residence" and the "Xitang Museum." Shen Wansan's Former Residence is a famous historical building in Xitang, preserving the style of ancient Jiangnan mansions. The old furnishings and calligraphy in the courtyard made me feel like I had returned to the prosperous scene of a hundred years ago. The Xitang Museum gave me a deeper understanding of the history and culture of this ancient town. The museum displays many historical materials, old folk items, and images of Xitang, giving me a more comprehensive understanding of the development of this small town. Noon: Enjoying the Last Meal For the last meal in Xitang, I chose a local restaurant to taste more Xitang cuisine. The "old hen soup" here is very famous, with a light broth and tender chicken, allowing me to savor the unique flavor of Jiangnan cuisine. Summary The two-day and one-night trip to Xitang made me deeply feel the charm of this ancient town. Xitang is not only a representative of the Jiangnan water town, but its ancient culture, leisurely life, and water alley scenery make people linger. Walking in the small streets and alleys of Xitang, it feels like traveling back in time, with every detail making you want to stop and quietly savor. If you also want to experience the tranquility and beauty of the Jiangnan water town, Xitang is undoubtedly an ideal choice.