24 Hours Hotline: +86 137-3541-1378
Email:info@tripstoshanghai.com
24 Hours Hotline: +86 137-3541-1378
Email:info@tripstoshanghai.com
Tucked between Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou, Xitang is a hidden gem among China’s ancient water towns. With its nine intertwining rivers, 27 stone bridges, and centuries-old covered walkways known as “langpeng,” Xitang offers a uniquely tranquil atmosphere that sets it apart from other towns in the Yangtze Delta. A Xitang tour is perfect for travelers who want to experience the slower rhythm of traditional Chinese life while still being within easy reach of the modern city.
On your Xitang water town tour, you can explore charming alleyways lined with local shops, enjoy a boat ride under arched bridges, and sip tea at a riverside pavilion just as locals have done for generations. Unlike the more commercialized towns, Xitang remains beautifully low-key, especially at dusk when red lanterns reflect on the water and the old town takes on a magical glow. Whether you're drawn by its romantic scenery (featured in the movie Mission: Impossible III) or its preserved Ming and Qing architecture, Xitang offers an authentic and peaceful escape into China’s cultural heartland.
Duration：8-10 Hours
Attractions(Cities)：Xitang water town
Tour Style：This Xitang ancient water town tour from Hangzhou spends a full day in one of the Jiangnan region's best-preserved canal towns, with over a hundred stone bridges and centuries-old lanes. Your guide and private driver handle the roughly ninety-minute road from Hangzhou. You walk the covered Mist Rain Corridor, cross the Ming-dynasty Huanxiu and Songzi Laifeng bridges, and visit the Zhang Zheng Root Carving Art Museum and the Button Museum, where you can try tying a traditional knot. Your guide introduces local artisans and folk stories along the way. Pickup and drop-off are at your Hangzhou hotel, the train station or the airport, and lunch is left open so you can eat along the canal.
Duration：2 Days, 1 Night
Attractions(Cities)：Xitang Water Town
Tour Style：This two-day tour goes from Hangzhou to Xitang Water Town and stays one night in the town, so you see Xitang by day and by night. Your guide meets you at your hotel in Hangzhou and drives you to Xitang. In the evening you walk the Mist-Rain Long Corridor as the lanterns come on, take a canal boat ride, and have dinner by the water before Bar Street. The next day you cross Huanxiu Bridge and Songzi Laifeng Bridge and visit the Zhang Zheng Root Carving Museum and the Button Museum, then stroll Flower Alley before the drive back to Hangzhou. A private car, a local guide, and entrance fees for the sites in the itinerary are included.
Duration：6-8 Hours
Attractions(Cities)：Jiaxing South Lake, Yuehe Historical District, Xitang Water Town
Tour Style：This full-day tour covers Jiaxing and nearby Xitang with a private car and guide. It starts at your hotel in Jiaxing. You begin at South Lake, the site tied to the founding of the Chinese Communist Party, with its Red Boat, meeting hall, willow paths, and optional boat ride. Then you walk the stone lanes of Yuehe Historical District, an old town quarter of Ming and Qing houses, tea houses, and craftspeople, where you can try local snacks. In the afternoon the tour moves to Xitang Water Town for a canal boat ride, the Mist-Rain Long Corridor, and Bar Street as the lights come on. The day ends with a drop-off back at your hotel in Jiaxing. Entrance fees, transport, hotel pickup in Jiaxing, and a bilingual guide are included.
Duration：4-6 Hours
Attractions(Cities)：Xitang water town
Tour Style：This Xitang water town night tour from Hangzhou is timed for the evening, when the lanterns come on and the canals are lit. Your guide meets you at your Hangzhou hotel and drives you to Xitang in a private car. You walk the Mist-Rain Long Corridor, take a wooden boat cruise on the canals, cross Huanxiu Bridge, and visit the Zhang Zheng Root Carving Art Museum. The evening ends on Bar Street and with a canal-side dinner of local dishes before the drive back. Entrance to the sites, a private car, hotel pickup in Hangzhou, and a bilingual guide are included, so the whole evening runs at your own pace.
1. Where is the Xitang Water Town
Xitang Water Town is located in the Jiashan County, around 120 km from Hangzhou City. It is one of the six most famous water towns in South China. 9 rivers converge in this town, dividing it into 8 sections, but many bridges link this water town together. Inside the town, there are many well-preserved architectural groups constructed during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
2. How to get to Xitang Water Town from Hangzhou?
By High-Speed Train:
If you travel alone, you can take the high-speed rail from Hangzhou east railway station to Jiashan south station, there are 28 high-speed trains from Hangzhou passing through Jiashan every day. The journey takes around 35 minutes. The first train departs at 07:06 and the last train departs at 20:20.Then take the bus to Xitang Water Town.
By Car:
If you want a more comfortable way to go there, you can ask a travel agency or hotel to rent a car for you, which will take about 1.4 hours for one way.
By Bus:
There are two bus terminal where you can take the bus to Xitang. 1. Hangzhou Jiubao Passenger Terminal, the last bus is 6:15pm. 2. You can take the bus from Hangzhou East Bus Station to reach Jiashan County first, then take the local bus to Xitang Water Town.
3. What is the opening hours in Xitang and does the Xitang Water Town have the Night View?
Xitang Water Town will open from 08:00-17:00 all day, the ticket is 100RMB/per person for entrance ticket. If you want to see the Night View, the ticket will be 50RMB/per person, and 20RMB/per person for boat cruise.
4. What is the best way to travel to Xitang water town from Hangzhou train station?
Taking tourist bus or private transfer is the best way to visit Nanxun from Hangzhou. It takes around 1 hour 40 minutes to get there. As for the high speed train, you can reach at Jiashan station, then take about 1 hour Jiashan public bus to Xitang water town. If you are confused about the public transportation and want to enjoy the hassle free tour, you can book a private transfer with Hangzhou local tour company.
5. How long does it take to visit Xitang water town if i come from Hangzhou?
Xitang water town is not very big, one day will enough for the water town sightseeing. It takes around 2 hours from Hangzhou downtown to Jiashan county, you will have 3-4 hours to visit the gardens, museum, ancient buildings, experience the traditional boat ride along the grand canal. You can stay longer at Xitang water town for the night scenery, to relax yourself at the local bar street.
6. What kind of food should we try during the Xitang water town sightseeing? Any good places for eating there?
There are some famous dishes in Xitang Water Town, including Braised Baisi Fish, Yellow Rice Wine, Bazheng Cake, “June red” crab, water bean curd, meat braised with lotus, etc. Many hotels can offer nice dining condition with comfortable atmosphere. You can try lots of snacks when you walk around the town and find a restaurant along the riverside to enjoy the local food and the riverside view.
7. I want to visit water town near Hangzhou, which one is better? Xitang or Wuzhen?
Both are the famous water towns near Hangzhou & Shanghai. If you travel from Hangzhou, Wuzhen is close to Hangzhou. Xitang water town is less crowded and popular for the young people and family, it has a colourful night life. Wuzhen is bigger but crowded since it has a great reputation, the World Internet Conference held here, a traditional & modern water town in China.
8. How about the hotel conditions in Xitang water town? Will be expensive to stay there?
There are starred Hotels & Waterfront Hostels in Xitang water town. There are many starred hotels in Xitang. Compared with those in big cities, their rooms are simpler, reflecting the water town’s characteristics. The most popular is Xitang Holiday Inn (three-star), near the Water Town entrance. These hostels are built on the waterfront, so the beautiful scenery outside the windows is their distinctive feature, despite their plainness otherwise. They are cheaper than starred hotels. Normally, the cost for one night will be 200RMB-400RMB, the rate will be higher during the weekends and holidays.
9. How to get around the Xitang water town? Is the wheelchair friendly here?
Xitang does not have motorized traffic, for motor vehicles are prohibited. The only available transport is by boat or on foot when you go to visit Xitang scenic area. The water town with many water way, narrow alley & stone bridge, so it is not such convenient to use the wheelchair inside the town. You can try to do the boat ride if you have walking problem.
10. When is the best time to visit Xitang water town?
Xitang has different highlights in different seasons. April and May when the flowers, are the most romantic months. And July is the best month for tasting crab. Most rain falls between September and November. Besides, there are far fewer tourists in December and January, so those two months are ideal for those who like to travel in relative peace.
Wechat: YourWayHolidayAsia
24 Hours Hotline:
+86 137-3541-1378
Certificate of Excellence
2012~2026
Your Way Holiday
1 to 1 tailor-made service from our professional travel advisors for the most sophisticated
Constantly excellent reviews for attraction, hotel and service Competitive price
Local experts provide quality tours Best selected knowledgeable local guides Authentic local restaurants
7*24 hours available to create you a worry-free tour. No Hidden Fees and absolutely no pressure to buy. Secured
Copyright © 2017 Hangzhouprivatetour.com All rights reserved.
