Visiting Xitang, Zhejiang for the first time? Don't just read travel guides—here are the locals' favorite ways to explore. Save this post!

Xitang Ancient Town in Zhejiang is one of the iconic water towns of Jiangnan! Address: Xitang Town, Jiashan County, Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province. It sits at the junction of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai, and has long been known as "the root of Wu and the corner of Yue." About Xitang: In ancient times, Xitang was called "Xutang" or "Xietang." During the Spring and Autumn period, Wu Zixu, a minister of the State of Wu, built waterworks here and channeled water from north of Mount Xu to irrigate the area, giving it the name "Xutang." It gradually grew into a market town, took shape as a village during the Tang and Song dynasties, and developed into a major handicraft and commercial hub in Jiangnan during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Because it has preserved its Ming- and Qing-era water town scenery and way of life so completely, it's known as "the thousand-year-old town that's still alive." Today, more than 2,600 original residents live along the canals, rising with the sun and resting at sunset—a living portrait of Jiangnan unfolding poetically before your eyes. Events like Hanfu Culture Week, Hanfu weddings, themed creative markets and folk music concerts are held here from time to time, making Xitang not just a sightseeing spot but a dynamic, participatory cultural space! Attractions: 9 winding waterways, 104 ancient stone bridges of all shapes, over 1,000 meters of riverside covered corridors, and 122 alleyways. Homes and gardens follow layouts like "shop in front, home behind," "shop below, home above" or "street in front, river behind." Whitewashed walls, dark roof tiles, horse-head walls, carved wooden windows and brick-carved gate towers are everywhere. Is Xitang Ancient Town in Zhejiang what you picture when you think of a Chinese Jiangnan water town?