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Peiying Mo | profile | all galleries >> Travel >> Shanghai to Beijing 2010 >> Water town Xitang, Zhejiang Province tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Water town Xitang, Zhejiang Province

Xitang (or 西塘) is an ancient water town in Zhejiang Province, an hour drive from Shanghai. Its history dates back to 5 century BC and earlier. The scenic town, crisscrossed by 9 rivers, connected by old-style stone bridges, serves as a main transportation hub in the area. Its tranquil ambiance and color schemes have been a popular subject in Chinese watercolor paintings. The water town becomes more popular after it was featured in the final sequences of the motion picture Mission: Impossible III.

My sister, our host and I went there on a weekend day. We missed many of the paid stops and simply enjoyed our surroundings. Wuzhen, the water town I visited a few years ago is not far from here: https://pbase.com/faerie_39/wuzhen.
Entrace to the town
Entrace to the town		 Signature style and color
Signature style and color		 Even trash bins are custom made for a perfect match
Even trash bins are custom made for a perfect match		 Ferries
Ferries
Ferries can be chartered or paid by number of people
Ferries can be chartered or paid by number of people		 Ferry operator is secured with a foam pad strung to the butt
Ferry operator is secured with a foam pad strung to the butt		 Ferry docking station
Ferry docking station		 Ferries await to get to the other side of the town
Ferries await to get to the other side of the town
We have the ferry to ourselves
We have the ferry to ourselves		 Red lanterns against the black/white buildings - a signature look
Red lanterns against the black/white buildings - a signature look		 A boat restaurant
A boat restaurant		 THere are many of these bridges - the handrails are only at knee high.
THere are many of these bridges - the handrails are only at knee high.
B&B: house with waterview
B&B: house with waterview		 Window with a view
Window with a view		 B&B: we have computer and bed with carved headboard.
B&B: we have computer and bed with carved headboard.		 B&B: operated by trusted party memeber (it doesn't specify what party, but assuming the only and one party in China)
B&B: operated by trusted party memeber (it doesn't specify what party, but assuming the only and one party in China)
Sign: We have tatami, IKEA bed, and bed with carved headboards
Sign: We have tatami, IKEA bed, and bed with carved headboards		 This studio claims that Tom Cruise's Mission Impossible III was filmed here
This studio claims that Tom Cruise's Mission Impossible III was filmed here		 Sign: people's commune is a gigantic iron bowl.
Sign: people's commune is a gigantic iron bowl.		 Sign: Commuism is good. Iron bowl eating method - eating from your own bowl while checking what's in the iron bowl
Sign: Commuism is good. Iron bowl eating method - eating from your own bowl while checking what's in the iron bowl
Narrow passage from one end of the house to the other
Narrow passage from one end of the house to the other		 This is a living town for the locals, not just a tourist spot
This is a living town for the locals, not just a tourist spot		 The residents add a human touch to the otherwise very touristy place
The residents add a human touch to the otherwise very touristy place		 Fisherman
Fisherman
Lunch time
Lunch time		 Only the locals feel comfortable using the canal water
Only the locals feel comfortable using the canal water		 Kids are used to tourists looking in
Kids are used to tourists looking in		 Ferryman picks up trash on the canal
Ferryman picks up trash on the canal
Artistic expression, both self satisfying and entertaining
Artistic expression, both self satisfying and entertaining		 Too hot and muggy to stay alert; on top of the wall is a typical old style Chinese calendar.
Too hot and muggy to stay alert; on top of the wall is a typical old style Chinese calendar.		 Things you can do at the bar: chat, kill time, get online, spend the night, have tea, day dream
Things you can do at the bar: chat, kill time, get online, spend the night, have tea, day dream		 A bar with a list of unwelcome guests: people who are rich but pretend to be poor
A bar with a list of unwelcome guests: people who are rich but pretend to be poor
A drinking country: beer bottles dangling at the store front
A drinking country: beer bottles dangling at the store front		 The region is known for brewing its own rice wine, about 50%+ proof.
The region is known for brewing its own rice wine, about 50%+ proof.		 Mopad and sugar cane: both are common here.
Mopad and sugar cane: both are common here.		 There is always room to grow some shade
There is always room to grow some shade
Water lily growing out of a pot, not on the canal
Water lily growing out of a pot, not on the canal		 A large money tree
A large money tree		 Xitang
Xitang		 Xitang
Xitang
Xitang
Xitang		 Signature red lanterns are painted with the town's sceneries
Signature red lanterns are painted with the town's sceneries		 In the background, the walkways are elevated above water
In the background, the walkways are elevated above water		 A popular place for the whole family
A popular place for the whole family
Art students busy sketch the scenes
Art students busy sketch the scenes		 Shaded but narrow passage along the canal
Shaded but narrow passage along the canal		 The walkway is only on one side of the homes
The walkway is only on one side of the homes		 People buy stuff or pose with it.
People buy stuff or pose with it.
One way street
One way street		 Smoking can kill - not sure who buys these souvenirs
Smoking can kill - not sure who buys these souvenirs		 Panda look incorporated in electronics. The currency is in Yuan!
Panda look incorporated in electronics. The currency is in Yuan!		 The old style rain coat looking strange to the new generations
The old style "rain coat" looking strange to the new generations
Booklets for all things you can think of. They are made to look like Chinese passport
Booklets for all things you can think of. They are made to look like Chinese passport		 Fried stinky tofu - a specialty of the area - more like blue cheese of the west, but smellier
Fried stinky tofu - a specialty of the area - more like blue cheese of the west, but smellier		 Air dried sweet potato chips
Air dried sweet potato chips		 Marinated edemames and pickled vegetables
Marinated edemames and pickled vegetables
Snails, pork loins and more unidentifiable food
Snails, pork loins and more unidentifiable food

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