Xitang Water Town lies about 90 km southeast of Hangzhou in Jiashan County, Jiaxing Prefecture, reached in 70-90 minutes by direct tourist coach, or by high-speed train from Hangzhou East to Jiashan South followed by a 15-minute taxi into town. Unlike the more manicured Wuzhen, Xitang remains a working town where residents still live along the nine intersecting canals and under the covered corridor (langpeng) that runs for over a kilometre, keeping visitors dry in the rain and shaded in summer. A typical day begins with a slow walk along the Yanyu Corridor and across stone bridges such as Wangxian Bridge and Anjing Bridge, followed by a visit to Xitang Number One Alley, a narrow lane less than a metre wide flanked by centuries-old houses. Late morning suits a boat ride along the main canal past the old distillery and dye workshops, and afternoon can be spent browsing craft shops selling paper umbrellas and Chinese knots or visiting the Chenjiaci Ancestral Hall. Food stalls along the corridor sell Xitang's baizhu (eight-treasure) rice and canal-caught freshwater shrimp, and the covered walkway has teahouses for a rest out of the sun. Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) offer the mildest weather and softest light for photographs; arriving in the late afternoon and staying past sunset lets visitors see the town's lanterns reflected on the water with fewer coach-tour crowds than during the day.
| Distance | About 90 km from Hangzhou |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 70-90 minutes by direct bus from Hangzhou |
| Getting there | Mode: Bus; Detail: Direct tourist coach from Hangzhou's long-distance bus stations to Xitang bus station, a short walk from the old town entrance |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Xitang Ancient Town Scenic Area, Jiashan, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China |
How to get there
- Bus: direct coach from Hangzhou to Xitang (70-90 min)
- Train: Hangzhou East to Jiashan South, then taxi to Xitang (about 15 min)
- Car: driver-hire direct from Hangzhou (about 80-100 min)
Weather through the year in Zhejiang
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Zhejiang.
Location
Xitang Ancient Town Scenic Area, Jiashan, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
30.9327, 120.9105 View on map
Highlights
- Nine intersecting canals crossed by dozens of stone bridges
- Yanyu Corridor, a kilometre-long covered canal-side walkway
- Xitang Number One Alley, a lane less than a metre wide
- Evening lantern reflections along the main canal
- Chenjiaci Ancestral Hall and traditional craft workshops
Tips for visiting
- Take the high-speed train to Jiashan South for the fastest connection, then a short taxi into town
- Visit in the late afternoon and stay past sunset to see the lanterns with fewer day-trip crowds
- Buy the scenic area ticket at the main gate rather than from street touts
- Wear comfortable shoes for the uneven stone bridges and narrow alley
- Book a canal boat ride in advance during weekend peak season
When to visit
Arrive in the late afternoon during spring or autumn to combine mild weather with the evening lantern displays and thinner crowds.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a visit to Xitang take?
Most visitors spend 4-6 hours covering the main canal, corridor, and Number One Alley; staying for dinner and the evening lanterns extends this to a full day.
Is Xitang less crowded than Wuzhen?
Xitang has no separate ticketed inner zone, so it tends to feel more lived-in, but weekend crowds can still be heavy; a weekday visit is quieter.
Can Xitang be combined with Wuzhen in one day?
The two towns are roughly an hour apart by car and can be combined, though most visitors find a single full day at one town more rewarding than rushing both.
Are there overnight guesthouses in Xitang?
Yes, a number of small inns and courtyard guesthouses operate inside the scenic area, letting visitors see the town after the day-trip crowds leave.