Xitang

The town of Xitang, 33 kilometers from the city of Jiaxing and 110 km of Shanghai, is built on a plain crossed by nine rivers, which divide Xitang into eight districts. It is also famous for its 104 bridges, dating all from Ming and Qing Dynasty, its alleys and its covered passages.

Xitang developed into a prosperous town during the Ming and Qing dynasty and became important for commerce and handicrafts. Many popular paintings and poems can be found here, showing picturesque sceneries, excellent architecture, friendly people and a rich culture.

It contains densely distributed rivers and lakes, and displays a magnificent illustration of natural sceneries and old buildings together. On the lake, you can hear songs from the fishermen's floating boats.

Life here is leisurely and you can idle away a whole afternoon taking in the tranquil environment, watching the river scene, eating the town's snacks and listening to old stories from the local residents. You can even enjoy some sightseeing while restfully drifting along the river. In 2005, Hollywood star Tom Cruise was there filming his "Mission Impossible 3". Compared with Zhouzhuan, Xitang is less noisy and more tranquil.