A Sunrise Worth the Struggle in Xitang Ancient Town

#discoverchina #xitang After battling the biting cold and wrestling with my alarm clock, I finally dragged myself out of bed at 5:20 am—determined to catch the legendary sunrise over Xitang’s watertown. To my delight, the best vantage point was just a five-minute walk from my homestay, as if the universe was rewarding my effort. The pre-dawn mist hovered over the canals, softening the glow of red lanterns still lit from the night before. Then, as the first golden light spilled over the horizon, it set the tiled rooftops and stone bridges ablaze in warm hues, their reflections rippling like liquid fire on the water’s surface. The chill of the morning faded into awe—here was Xitang at its most magical, quiet and untouched, a scene straight out of a dream. In that moment, every shiver and sleepy groan felt worth it.