Touring Xitang, One of the Five Well-Known Ancient Towns in China

Xitang, in Zhejiang Province
As one of the Six Old Towns in Southern China, Xitang is located in Jiashan County, the juncture of Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province and China Shanghai. In ancient times, Xitang was called Xutang or Xietang, with long history and rich culture. Early in Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods, Xitang was a place where Wu and Yue States fighted against each other. Thus, Xitang was also named Wu Root and Yue Corner (Wu Gen Yue Jiao).

Arriving at Xitang, what most tempts you is the gallery along the streets, which are built near river and all businesses are also done by the river. In the past, the locals went out via waterway instead of walking, and many trades had to be carried out on boat or bank. Over time, a kind of architecture able to connect the watercourse and shops as well as shield from the sun and the rain, gallery was born, and got inherited from age to age. So far, in Xitang, the well-preserved 1300-meter-long gallery has become a good site for visitors to explore the ancient times.

Specialties in Xitang
Steamed Pork Wrapped in Lotus Leaf: As a traditional famous dish in Xitang, the Steamed Pork Wrapped in Lotus Leaf has special flavour. The pork tastes crisp, glutinous and not greasy, with faint scent.

Jiashan Rice Wine: The biggest individual rice wine production base is just Jiashan Rice Wine Factory in Xitang. Currently, the two famous brands of rice wine are Diaowang and Xitang Rice Wine.

Bazhen Cake: made from eight kinds of traditional Chinese medicine.

Liuyue Hong: Especially referred to the river crabs caught in the sixth lunar month, the Liuyue Hong has small body, tasty crabmeat and thin carapace. As soon as poaching it, the Liuyue Hong will become bright red, which is also the reason for it to get the name Liuyue Hong (means becoming red in the sixth lunar month).

Tips of Travelling Xitang
From Monday to Friday, it is for free to enter Xitang. The visitors can go into it from any lane. When getting off at Xitang, go straight and pass a supermarket called Nong Gong Shang. Then walking northwards for five minutes, you can access to the scenic spot of the ancient town from Su Family Lane beside the No. 2 People's Hospital.

For those planning to tour Xitang, they can book room on the internet or via telephone.