Discover Xitang’s Timeless Charm on a 2-Day Xitang Water Town Tour from Hangzhou with Night Tour Highlights

Day1 Xitang Water Town

Your guide will greet you at the agreed meeting spot in Hangzhou holding a clear “Your Way Holiday” sign ready to welcome you warmly with a smile. From there you will be chauffeured in a private air-conditioned car straight to Xitang water town. During the drive your guide will share local tales and handy tips setting the mood for a trip that goes beyond sightseeing and is full of cultural connection. Right from the start we ensure your journey is smooth cozy and personalized just like a good friend showing you around.

As evening settles you will arrive at Xitang Ancient Water Town a place where time seems to slow and history whispers from every corner. Soft lantern light begins to glow along the stone bridges and narrow alleys casting golden reflections across the calm canals. Your guide will walk you into the town’s heart pointing out quiet details many visitors might miss such as black-tiled roofs curling like waves doorways marked with faded family crests and the gentle shuffle of locals closing shops or chatting by the water. One standout sight is the Mist-Rain Long Corridor a nearly kilometer-long riverside walkway with a covered roof and wooden beams that once shielded residents from sun and rain as they moved between homes and markets. Your guide will highlight delicate window carvings explain the corridor’s role as a social hub and help you picture life in this very spot centuries ago. As you stroll the scent of river breeze mixes with the faint smell of fried snacks while soft Jiangnan folk tunes hum nearby. Each step feels like a quiet conversation bridging past and present.

To truly take in Xitang you have got to get on the water. Your guide will lead you to the riverbanks where traditional wooden boats gently sway under lantern strings. Boarding one you will begin a peaceful canal cruise that carries you deep into the town’s soul. The boat slips slowly beneath ancient arched bridges and glides past waterfront homes with shimmering reflections on the surface. This perspective is for those who embrace the town’s natural pace. As your guide tells stories of silk traders scholars and star-crossed lovers who once floated these waters the layers of history unfold around you. Locals sit on porches brewing tea while cats lounge lazily on windowsills perfectly relaxed in the quiet rhythm of daily life. For photographers romantics or anyone craving stillness this is where Xitang truly speaks softly but deeply.

After your peaceful journey, the vibe changes as your guide leads you into Bar Street, the liveliest spot in Xitang at night. What were once quiet canal side homes now glow with soft neon lights and buzz with laughter, live music, and the cheerful clinking of glasses. Bars with their own unique character line the water’s edge. Some are rustic and local with wooden stools and rice wine. Others are modern and inviting with rooftop seating and creative cocktails. Your guide will help you pick the perfect place, whether you want a quiet riverside retreat or a lively spot to mingle with the crowd. The street is vibrant without ever feeling overwhelming. The air carries the smell of grilled treats and jasmine tea, while the water mirrors the colorful lights like a living painting. Here, tradition and modern life blend effortlessly. Locals sip tea beside travelers, and historic buildings host the rhythm of today. It’s the perfect balance to the peaceful canals, showing that even in a town as ancient as Xitang, there’s room for celebration, connection, and a touch of unexpected fun.

As the night deepens, your guide will take you to a canal side restaurant chosen not only for its food but for its atmosphere and local spirit. Lanterns hang warmly from wooden beams, their glow reflecting on the water outside while the gentle river sounds drift through open windows. Inside, tables are set with rustic charm, and the air is filled with the aroma of freshly steamed fish, spices, and seasonal vegetables. Your guide will guide you through the menu, suggesting dishes based on your preferences and sharing the cultural stories behind them. Try the braised river fish, flavored with sweet soy and ginger, or the lotus root stir fried with vinegar and chili, celebrated for its crisp texture and fresh taste. You might also enjoy crispy tofu, made locally and fried to a golden crisp, served with a light dipping sauce or garlic greens. The meal unfolds slowly, paired with soft conversation and the peaceful beauty of the nearby canal. Dining here is more than just a meal. It’s a chance to connect with the land, the people, and the enduring spirit of Jiangnan evenings. Each bite offers a taste of the region’s calm rhythm and warmth that has lasted for centuries.

After dinner, take one last stroll through the quieting alleys as the crowds disperse and Xitang settles into a dreamy calm. When you’re ready, your guide will walk you to your waiting private car, you’ll be dropped off at your hotel in Xitang.  Your guide stays with you throughout the journey, ensuring your comfort. Whether you’re going to rest or reflect, we make sure your trip ends as smoothly and personally as it began. Thoughtful and local in every way.

Day2 Xitang Water Town

Your Way Holiday guide will be waiting for you at the airport holding a sign that reads “Your Way Holiday” and greeting you warmly before driving you to your hotel. After you have settled in your adventure begins as you explore the charm of Xitang, a vibrant ancient town famous for its scenic canals, Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, and relaxed pace of life. With more than 100 bridges and alleys steeped in history, Xitang perfectly captures the poetic beauty of a Jiangnan water town. Along the way your guide will share insights into the local culture, ensuring your journey starts smoothly and meaningfully.

As you walk along the Mist Rain Corridor your guide will explain that these covered walkways with their tiled roofs, wooden beams, and intricate lattice windows were built to protect residents from both the sun and the region’s characteristic light drizzle. Stretching for over a kilometer beside the canals this corridor weaves through neighborhoods, teahouses, and historic shops creating a calm, rhythmic space where locals stroll, rest, and chat. Stone benches provide spots to pause and listen to the gentle sound of water lapping against the banks. Your guide may point out subtle carvings on wooden posts or highlight the corridor’s architectural balance. Flower pots and red lanterns often hang outside doorways here adding to the atmosphere. You might even see elderly residents playing Chinese chess by the canal or quietly sipping tea and with your guide sharing their stories and gestures, you will feel more like a welcomed guest reconnecting with a timeless way of life.

When you cross the elegant Huanxiu Bridge which arches gracefully over the water you will admire its sturdy stone construction from the Ming dynasty perfectly symmetrical and worn smooth by centuries of footsteps. Your guide will tell you how this bridge once connected important markets and served both boatmen and townspeople. It is a wonderful spot to pause framed by weeping willows and historic buildings lining the canal. The name “Huanxiu” suggests a sense of encircling and reunion reflecting traditional values of family and community. Your guide can help you capture photos of the bridge’s reflection or lead you to a nearby terrace where locals gather to sing folk songs during festivals. Through the guide’s stories you will picture scenes from long ago wedding processions crossing the bridge or moonlit poetry readings. Even today newlyweds come here to pose beneath the arch keeping the tradition alive.

Next, your guide will lead you to the Zhang Zheng Root Carving Art Museum, a remarkable place where natural tree roots are transformed into stunning sculptures. Zhang Zheng, a master of this traditional craft, is famous for shaping raw, twisted roots into detailed figures like dragons, deities, scholars, and mythical creatures that appear to naturally emerge from the wood. As you explore the museum, your guide will explain how this art reflects Taoist principles of harmony with nature combined with deep folk traditions from rural life. Many pieces symbolize themes such as longevity, prosperity, or spiritual contemplation. The museum’s lighting and layout highlight the unique textures of the roots, while your guide points out the meaning behind each artwork. If the workshop is open, you may see artisans drawing, carving, or polishing in action. Your guide will walk you through the process, giving you a rare insight into the thoughtful and meditative work behind the finished pieces.

Afterwards, your visit continues to the Button Museum, a special site celebrating Xitang’s historic link to button making. Located in a traditional riverside residence, this museum features six themed rooms that trace the history of buttons from the Han dynasty to modern times. Your guide will show you early buttons crafted from shell, bone, and bamboo, alongside twentieth-century metal and plastic designs. Especially interesting are the embroidered buttons and handmade silk knot fasteners inspired by Suzhou embroidery and traditional Chinese garments. Your guide might discuss how the local button industry flourished during the reform period, establishing Xitang as a national leader. Some exhibits display old factory equipment and handmade molds, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how buttons were formed, colored, and finished. There is also a small interactive area where, with your guide’s help, you can try threading and tying a Panlong knot to take home as a souvenir.

When you reach Songzi Laifeng Bridge, your guide will encourage you to pause and admire one of Xitang’s most romantic and meaningful landmarks. This elegantly arched stone bridge is decorated with finely carved railings and balustrades featuring motifs that symbolize prosperity, harmony, and good fortune. Built during the Ming dynasty, it has long been regarded as a symbol of blessing for newlyweds and couples hoping to start a family. The name “Songzi Laifeng,” which means “Bringing Phoenix and Offspring,” embodies cultural beliefs in fertility, happiness, and family continuity. Your guide may share traditional poems or folk stories passed down through generations, describing how locals once held quiet ceremonies here during festivals. The scene becomes especially enchanting at sunset when the bridge’s reflection in the water forms a perfect circle. Your guide can help you capture a beautiful photo or simply invite you to sit by the canal and soak in the serene atmosphere, where time seems to slow and memories quietly linger.

Your walk ends at the charming Flower Alley, a narrow lane hidden away from the busier streets where every element seems crafted to awaken your senses. The alley is flanked by low brick homes with weathered wooden doors and windows decorated with lace curtains or red paper cutouts. Depending on the season, fragrant climbing plants like jasmine, osmanthus, or morning glories fill the air. Your guide will explain the significance of small decorations often found on doorsteps—lucky charms, festive calligraphy, or bamboo flutes that serve as wind chimes. During local festivals, the alley brightens with hanging lanterns, while residents light incense or play soft folk music in their courtyards. Some families open up small exhibitions of embroidery or calligraphy for visitors to enjoy. Your guide may highlight which households have lived here for generations and describe how the neighborhood embodies Xitang’s slower, community-focused way of life. As the day comes to a close, your guide will lead you back to your hotel, leaving you with a gentle, lasting feeling of connection to this poetic water town.

After your day’s adventure, your guide will escort you back to your hotel, sharing recommendations for local dining or helping arrange plans if you want to keep exploring Xitang after dark.

Price Per Person in US Dollars