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Xitang Water Town

Introducing Xitang Water Town
Xitang Water Town is in Jiashan County, Zhejiang Province. As early as the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods (770-221B.C.), it was a place of strategic importance on the boundary between Wu and Yue States, and it was thus known as the Bottom of Wu and the Corner of Yue. During the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), it developed into a prosperous town, and during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911), it was known as an important town for commerce and handicrafts in South China. Today, Xitang Water Town is like an ancient piece of jade, glittering and translucent. With the reputation of simply elegance and tranquility, it is regarded as a “Living Thousand-year Old Town “the town still preserves its traditional ancient residences along the river canals and stone bridges.

Xitang Water Town Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Xitang Guzhen 西塘古镇
• Best Time to Visit: April to November
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 1 to 2 days
• Things to Do: Photography, Chinese History and Culture, Cruise, Exhibition
• Opening Hours: Town: all day; Attractions: 08:00-17:00 (summer)/08:00-16:30 (winter)
• Entrance Fee: ¥95 (including 11 attractions and Five Girls Theme Park); ¥50 for night entrance
• Address: No.258 Nanyuan Road, Jiashan County, Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province

What to expect at Xitang Water Town

Xitang Water Town has a flat terrain, and the nine rivers that run through the town divide it into eight parts. Xitang Water Town is known for its bridges, lanes, and ceilinged corridors. There are 104 bridges of varied structure, all from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, some looking like rainbows over the river, and others like long flutes. Standing on one of these bridges and watching the boats through a round opening, one feels drawn into deep meditation on the past.

Many of the shops and houses in Xitang Water Town are built on the riversides. There are a total of 122 lanes, long and short, wide and narrow. The lanes are paved with stone planks, polished by the feet of pedestrians as well as hundreds of years of weathering. Together with the black-tiled houses along the roads, the polished stone planks bear witness to the Xitang Water Town's long history.

Because of the rainy climate, local residents have invented their own style of ceilinged corridor. Each family puts a ceiling over the stone-plank road in front of its own house, and the ceilings connect with one another to form corridors, the longest being 1,300 meters. Nowadays, the ceilinged corridors are the main places for outdoor activities and attract countless tourists.

Xitang Water Town is also attractive because of the easygoing lifestyle that local residents have followed for thousands of years. Unlike the towns of Zhouzhuang and Wuzhen, Xitang is not a bustling place (see China Pictorial November 2001 and February 2002). People in Xitang Water Town live ordinary, peaceful lives. The elderly play with their grandchildren on bridges and in lanes, and women wash vegetables and clothes in the rivers running beside their houses. The simple lifestyle and peaceful atmosphere may have died out in those now commercialized ancient towns, but they fill every lane in Xitang. For tourists from modern metropolises, Xitang Water Town is a place to experience a feeling of simplicity and leisure.

Visitors can also follow the footprints of Tom Cruise in the film "Mission impossible III". Immerse yourself in the chanting local culture and township scenery.

How to get to Xitang Water Town

From Jiashan
• Take bus No. K215 or K216, K22 to Xitang.

From Jiaxing
• Take bus No. K152 from Jiaxing North Bus station to Xitang.

From Hangzhou
• Take a long distance bus from Hangzhou Jiubao Passenger Transport Center to Xitang.

From Shanghai
• Take a long distance bus from Shanghai South Long-distance Bus Station, Shanghai Tourist Center or Intercity Bus Terminal to Xitang.

Additional travel advice on Xitang Water Town
• Please buy the entrance tickets from official channels. Each attraction in the scenic area has a check-in gate. If someone tells that he/she can lead you to enter from lanes by giving him/her less money than the entrance fee, please do not believe him/her.
• Each year, large fairs and activities are held in Xitang to celebtrate Chinese New year, Middle Autumn Festival as well as Qilaoye Temple Fair (Lunar April 3rd).

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  1. Tour Highlights
    • Explore Xitang Water Town, a quaint and quiet water town with a history of more than 1,000 years
    • Experienced English speaking tour guide
    • Overland round-trip transfers with private chauffeur and in-transport refreshments

    About This Tour
    • Departure: Daily departing from Shanghai.
    • Tour Duration: Approximately 8 hours.
    • Guide Languages: Chinese & English.
    • Pick-up Time: Between 07:00 and 10:00, choose a departure time most suitable for you.
    • Pick-up & Drop-off Place: Your self-booked accommodation in Shanghai
    Advice on Meals: Lunch is not included in this tour, please have a big breakfast and pack snacks just in case you get a bit peckish during sightseeing. If you want to try authentic local food for lunch, please feel free to inform your guide who is always ready to help.

    Brief Itinerary
    • Pick up from your accommodation in Shanghai
    • Drive to Xitang Water Town (less than 2 hours)
    • Visit Xitang Water Town (3 hours)
    • Lunch on your own
    • Transfer back to your hotel in Shanghai (less than 2 hours)

    Tailor This Tour to Meet Your Needs and Requirements
    • If you want to modify this itinerary, please feel free to contact GoGrandChina by WhatsApp (+86-18309280878), Wechat (+86-18309280878) or email (info@GrandChinaTravel.com), we will create a tailor-made tour package for you.

    Tour Prices (US$ Per Person)

    1 person 2 people 3 people 4 people 5 people 6 people 7 people 8 people 9 people 10 +
    $298 $168 $128 $108 $98 $88 $78 $72 $68 $62


    Price Remark
    • Prices are not valid during China's Official Holidays (such as National Day & Chinese New Year Festival etc.).

    Price Inclusions

    •Professional English language speaking private tour guide
    • Air-conditioned vehicle with private experienced driver
    • All admission tickets to sightseeing places
    • All government taxes

    Price Exclusions
    • Hotel accommodation.
    • Your personal expenses.
    • Meals are excluded allowing you flexibility on menu.
    • Travel insurance is not included. Please purchase before your trip to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.
    • Gratuities to guide & driver. They are customary and would be of great encouragement and reward for quality service.

    Additional Info
    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking.
    • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
    • The itinerary is subject to change due to traffic conditions or bad weather.
    • The itinerary is flexible; changes can be made upon written request from travelers.
    IMPORTANT: It is required by the government regulations that travelers must provide their name, gender, nationality, passport number and date of birth to their tour operator upon booking a tour. Failure to do so could result in being denied access or admittance to sites and attractions during sightseeing. When you book this tour, please complete all required fields at checkout. Please bring your passport with you on the tour.

    Cancellation Policy
    • You may cancel the booking and receive a full refund up to 24 hours prior to the date of your tour.
    • Cancellation within 24 hours or after the tour begins is non-refundable.
    • Cancellation request will be confirmed in 2-5 business days, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.

    Why Travelers Have to Choose GoGrandChina Private Tours?
    • Choose your most suitable departure time, whether you are an early bird or you prefer sleeping in.
    • GoGrandChina private tours are more flexible, allowing you to adjust everything on your trip to your wishes.
    • GoGrandChina tour guides will be at your service to make sure you get the most from each destination. They are there for you and are responsible for making your journey special – and your needs always come first.
    • GoGrandChina offers comfortable and luxury vehicles with a private & experienced driver who’s always by your side and ready to take you to your next destination.
    • No shopping stops & factory visits, no chance of getting ripped off.
    • No hidden costs, rest assured that there are no nasty surprises.

    Learn More

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