Xitang Ancient Town from Shanghai, No Shopping

Your one day private Xitang Water Town tour from Shanghai just kicks off! In the morning, your private guide and the driver will meet you at your hotel in downtown Shanghai, the Shanghai airport, or train station, and escort you to Xitang with a 1.5-hour private car drive. 

The small, quaint town had long been off the radar for most international travelers until the adrenaline scenes of Tom Cruise jumping over the black-tiled roofs, running across its old stone bridges and long covered corridors in Mission Impossible 3 showed up in cinemas. Set amidst a network of winding canals, Xitang is the most unique water town among so many counterparts in South China, dubbed ‘a thousand-year-old living old town,’ where over 3,000 households still maintain their traditional lifestyle. Let’s savor the quite vibrant and mellow atmosphere as we meander through the time-worn flagstone alleys and explore the well-preserved gardens, residences, and chic museums.

Your guided walking tour starts with the Zui Garden, a small, intimate space enclaved by mottled white walls and lush vegetation. It possesses a poetic charm, with stacked rockeries, rainbow bridges, and tranquil little ponds. Afterward, head to the West Garden, the largest private resort in the town, where you can enjoy traditional Chinese architecture as well as the romantic stories of modern literati. Stepping into the garden, you’ll be captivated by its exquisite layout: rockeries and winding bridges complement each other, pavilions and waterside terraces are scattered harmoniously, while the hexagonal-eaved pavilion atop the hill offers a vantage point to enjoy the garden. Also, browse the stunning miniature calligraphy works in gold powder on folding fans, with each character of only 1 millimeter in size; nearly 100 seals involved with local culture and customs; and learn about the stories of modern revolutionary intellectuals in the exhibition halls.Afterward, marvel at the sculptures at the Zhangzheng Root Carving Museum, which once held the Guinness World Record for the largest number of large root carving works, comprising more than 500 pieces, each averaging 250 kg. These ingenious carvings are based mostly on the wood's natural shapes but meticulously crafted into vivid images like roaring lions, majestic peacocks, and crowing roosters. Then, let’s dive into the interesting Button Museum, which displays major reforms of buttons through thousands of years, evolving from straw ropes, tangling vines used in primitive societies, to hooks and loops in the Bronze Age, and to modern resin, shell, and metal buttons. Xitang is the hometown of buttons, and 70 billion buttons are produced here every year, accounting for one-third of the world’s total button trade. If interested, you can also try making delicate buttons by yourself.

Your guide will also accompany you to explore the century-old residential complex, Wang’s House. Brick-carved gate towers, blue bricks and gray tiles, wooden windows and doors that are carved with various patterns of flowers, figures and animals, traditional furniture, and daily necessities in the main hall, all showcase a typical architectural layout from the 17th century. The old pomegranate tree in the courtyard and the copper lock on the mottled porch instantly transport you back in time. Getting out of the house, you’ll see the narrowest lane of the town’s over 120 alleys, the Shipi Lane, with its narrowest part of only 80 cm (31.5 inches), allowing only one person to pass at a time. The lane paved with 216 super-thin stone slabs has been polished smooth over the years, while an old drainage system lying below the slabs still functions well. 

As you wander out of the lanes, don’t miss viewing the various stone bridges dotted throughout the town, including the single arched and three-arched designs, most of which are associated with good blessings in local folklore. For instance, the Songzi-laifeng Bridge, meaning sending sons and welcoming phoenix, and if a newlywed couple walks over the bridge, they’ll get blessed with a baby. Similarly, those who cross the Five Blessings Bridge will be blessed with five good fortunes: longevity, wealth, health, virtue, and a peaceful death. What’s more, standing on the highest single-arched Huanxiu Bridge, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the whole town. Walk across the bridge to the Covered Corridor by the river, where Xitang's most unique charm lies. Strolling along the 1,300-meter-long (0.8 mi) walkway, you can admire rustic wooden pillars with exquisite carvings, browse the specialty, knick-knack and souvenir shops, and glimpse the wooden boats with black arched roofs floating beneath the bridges.
► Tip: If interested, you can also try a hand-rowed boat ride at your own expense, gently swaying along the water lane leisurely. It takes about 20-25 minutes and costs CNY 45 (USD 6.5) per person. A private chartered boat costs between CNY 240 and 320 (USD 35-46).► Local Food Recommendation: (at your own expense)
Hungry in Xitang? Follow the sizzling aromas to discover tasty snacks hidden in inconspicuous alleys! Taste the soft, glutinous and slightly sweet water chestnut cake sold by old nannies, and it's still steaming hot when it comes out of the pot. Grandma Guan's stinky tofu is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Drizzled with a secret spicy sauce, it's so delicious that you can't help but stomp your feet for its incredible flavors. You'll also find braised pork and malt cakes. Just devour whatever you want!

If the weather permits, you may capture a captivating sunset, when the stone bridges, whitewashed houses with black tiles, and flowing streams are all bathed in the orange glow. Finishing the 1 day private Xitang tour itinerary from Shanghai, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel in Shanghai. Wish you a nice trip!