Written by Veronica |
Xitang Water Town, China is a classic Jiangnan water town that you might have seen in Chinese television or films. It is an ancient town in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province with a history of over 1,000 years. It’s about 56 miles (90 kilometers) from Shanghai, 68 miles (110 kilometers) from Hangzhou, and 53 miles (85 kilometers) from Suzhou. Xitang is highly recommended is you are planning a Shanghai water town tour.
A narrow, winding river quietly flowing through a small town, between residential houses with white walls and black-tiled roofs, you might have seen Xitang Water Town in the film Mission Impossible III. The superstar Tom Cruise came to film in Xitang. With 104 bridges, 122 ancient lanes, you’ll get lost in this small town that almost seems unreal in between metropolises like Hangzhou and Shanghai.
Fast Facts about Xitang Water Town
- Location: Jiashan County of Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province
- Hours: all day for the town; 08:00-17:00 for scenic spots
- Ticket price: CNY 100 for entrance; CNY 50 for night entrance; CNY 20 for a boat ride
- Visit time: from half a day to one day
- Best time of the year: spring and autumn, especially April to May, September to November
- Suited to: history and culture lovers, photographers
What to See and Do in Xitang Water Town
1. Admire the 104 bridges
Take your time walking around Xitang Water town and over the stone bridges. There are 104 of them in total reaching across 9 rivers and 8 sections of the town. If you pay attention, you’ll notice different designs like rainbow, arch, and flute bridges. There are also some famous ones like Anren Bridge, Wufu Bridge, and Songzi Laifeng Bridge.
2. Explore the 122 ancient lanes
Walk through the 122 ancient lanes that are a vital part of the locals’ life. They connect main streets, waterways, and homes, like the veins of Xitang Ancient Town. A lot of them have name and stories associated with them, like Shipi Lane, Sixianci Lane, and Huanxiu Lane. You might have to squeeze some part of the way, as the narrowest part is only 31 inches (80 centimeters) wide.
3. Walk along the long covered waterside walkways
The covered waterside walkways are considered an exclusive highlight of Xitang Water Town. You’ll always find shelter whether you need it for the mid-day sun or the frequent summer rains. There are chairs and stone benches for you to rest during your walk.
4. Visit old houses and gardens
With a long and rich history, Xitang Water Town has plenty of well-preserved ancient buildings from Ming and Qing dynasties, such as temples, ancestral halls, mansions, and shops. Some famous examples include Ni Family Residence, Zhang Family Residence, Xiyuan Garden, and West Garden Hall of Tea Culture.
Many of these houses retain their original appearance with gardens, artificial mountains, bonsais, furniture, and even pictures and paintings of their past owners. You’ll get a glimpse into the history behind the prosperous city life in Hangzhou and Shanghai.
5. Take a boat ride on the river
Wupeng boats are a unique sight that you’ll only see in Jiangnan water towns. They are small boats with black awnings used in the past for transport around town. Now, you can board one for a relaxing journey to see the architecture in Xitang Water Town. They are still rowed by boatmen so you might hear traditional folk songs they sing while rowing.
Taking a boat ride at night will also be a memorable experience. You might not see the architecture as clearly, but you’ll see lights along the roofs of the houses reflected in the water. On the quiet water, it’s difficult to tell apart where reality ends and the reflection begins.
6. Experience the local life
During your walk around Xitang Water Town, you’ll frequently find shops and stalls set up by locals by the lanes. They sell traditional snacks, arts and crafts. There are teahouses where you can sit and take a break. You might also see traditional performances and festival celebrations. You’ll fully experience a lifestyle of simplicity.
At night, you can sit in one of the many bars to unwind and watch live folk singers perform.
Best Time to Visit Xitang Water Town
The best time for your Shanghai tour or Hangzhou tour to Xitang Water Town is spring or autumn, especially from April to May or September to November. The weather is usually very pleasant with long hours of daylight and an average temperature of 71-86°F (22-30°C).
Whereas summer might not be the best season to visit, because the temperature frequently soars above 90°F (32°C), and it can be pretty humid. Summer is usually peak tourist season for the town as well. You can probably imagine the narrow lanes don’t particularly do well with large crowds.
How to Get to Xitang Water Town
Generally, when you travel to Xitang Water Town from Shanghai or Hangzhou, the most popular way is to go by train, because it is relatively cheap, quick, and easy. Taxis are the most convenient but also costliest. Taking a bus is the cheapest, but it can be time-consuming and difficult to navigate.
The easiest way is to hire a private driver or book a guided tour that will take you straight there with no hassle at all.
1. From Shanghai
- By Train
- From: Shanghai South Railway Station, Shanghai Hongqiao Railway
- To: Jiashan Railway Station, Jiashan South Railway Station
- Duration: 20-70 minutes
- Cost: CNY 12-30 per person
The two stations are about 9 miles and 12 miles (15, and 20 kilometers) away from Xitang Water Town. Then from the train stations, you can take a taxi or a local bus (K210, K215, K216, or K222).
- By Taxi
- From: Anywhere in Shanghai
- To: Xitang Water Town
- Duration: around 1.5 hours
- Cost: CNY 300-400
- By Bus
- From: Shanghai Bus Terminal, Shanghai South Bus Station, Shanghai Hongqiao Bus Station, Shanghai Pudong Airport
- To: Xitang Bus Station (only a 5-minute walk from Xitang Water Town)
- Duration: 5-2 hours
- Cost: CNY 30-40
2. From Hangzhou
- By Train
- From: Hangzhou East Railway Station, Hangzhou Railway Station
- To: Jiashan South Railway Station, Jiashan Railway Station
- Duration: 30-120 minutes
- Cost: CNY 20-50
- By Taxi
- From: Anywhere in Hangzhou
- To: Xitang Water Town
- Duration: 5-2 hours
- Cost: CNY 300-400
- By Bus
- From: Hangzhou Passenger Transport Central Station (Hangzhou East Bus Station), Hangzhou South Bus Station
- To: Xitang Bus Station, Jiashan Bus Station
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Cost: CNY 40-50
Attractions nearby Xitang Water Town
Wuzhen Water Town is another water town in Jiaxing, Zhejiang. It is about an hour’s drive from Xitang. There are two parts to this massive scenic spot, west and east. The west part is more commercialized with shops and museums, while the east part has more well-preserved architecture.
Xitang vs. Wuzhen Water Town: They are both water towns near Shanghai but distinct in their own ways. Xitang Water Town is known for a more authentic Chinese water town life. Its many bridges, covered alleyways, and waterside views create a more relaxed atmosphere.
While Wuzhen Water Town has more structured tourist facilities. It is more commercialized with museums, theaters, and cultural exhibitions.
China National Tea Museum in Hangzhou is a massive museum dedicated to Chinese tea and its culture. You can learn about different types of tea, their production process, and the history behind them.
The Bund is probably the most famous landmark in Shanghai and even China. It is a pedestrian street on the west bank of the Huangpu River with different types of architecture. You can look across the skyscrapers on the other side and see the amazing light shows at night.
Recommended Tours to Xitang Water Town
We can also help you with a customized tour to Xitang Water Town from Shanghai or Hangzhou.
