Leave the city noise behind. Head to Xitang for a date with the misty rain of Jiangnan. Listen to the water flowing under the bridges, watch the lanterns glow in the dusk, feel the peace of time passing by. In these slow-paced moments, you'll meet a gentle water town.

The Button Museum records Xitang's prosperous history as the "Town of Buttons". The museum has two floors, with six themed exhibition halls. Here you can learn how buttons evolved from nothing into everyday items and then into decorations, along with all kinds of traditional Chinese knotting arts, to experience the charm of intangible cultural heritage and the joy of traditional crafts.

Step into the Xitang Wine Culture Experience Hall and discover the history of Jiashan rice wine. A thousand years of farming civilization gave rise to local winemaking traditions. Generation after generation, craftsmen have stuck to ancient methods and kept them alive.

A century of winemaking stories unfolds slowly through the exhibits and texts. With its delicate aroma, every sip lets you taste the craftsmanship of rice wine hidden in Jiashan's history. The Huguo Suiliang Wang Temple, commonly known as Qi Laoye Temple, is Xitang's most touching cultural landmark.

It actually holds a story of self-sacrifice to save the people. During the Ming Dynasty, a grain official escorting imperial grain passed through this water town during a severe drought and famine. He risked his life to distribute the grain, saving thousands of starving people, trading his own life for their survival.

The court honored his kindness and posthumously titled him Huguo Suiliang Wang. Locals raised funds to build a temple, worshipping him for generations. Xi Garden is the largest private Ming Dynasty garden in Xitang.

Originally the Zhu family residence, it was later restored and rebuilt. This century-old garden holds the elegance of the water town and tales of the past. Covered walkways circle the water, with pavilions scattered here and there.

Back then, scholars of the Nanshe Society gathered here to compose and discuss poetry, and stories of Liu Yazi's literary gatherings live on today. When you have time, sit down for tea at Tingtao Pavilion, or visit the Chuankex calligraphy gallery to feel the spirit of Jiangnan's scholars. Strolling through Xitang, you'll hear the legend of the Fifth Maiden everywhere.

It's said that the fifth daughter of the Fu family fell in love with a young man, but their mismatched status met family opposition. Unwilling to be forced apart, they held hands and jumped into the river together. Moved by their devotion, locals created folk songs and stories about them.

The riverbanks are gentle and peaceful, with small bridges reflecting in the water. Walk along the shore, listen to folk tales, and feel the romance settled deep in this water town. Xitang was born from the water.

Its ancient bridges and lanes carry the memories of Jiangnan; its intangible heritage and folk customs keep its cultural roots alive. Blending old and new, it protects the unique gentle heritage of this water town.