Next stop: Xitang Ancient Town - A Dream Come True

Hey everyone! Just got back from Xitang and can't wait to share! This ancient town surrounded by rivers is truly captivating. After spending three days exploring the stone paths, ancient bridges, and Lantern Street, here's your ready-to-use travel guide! 📝 🌟Itinerary: Classic Routes + Hidden Gems Day 1: Xi Street + Shipi Lane, Immerse in Ancient Town Life Head straight to Xi Street upon arrival! 🌿 Traditional shops line both sides of the stone-paved path. Grab some Gordon Euryale cake while exploring! 🍬 Don't miss "Lu's Wonton" - a must-visit! Their fresh meat wontons are only CNY10 per bowl, with incredibly flavorful soup, and watching the auntie wrap and cook them fresh is heartwarming! 🥟 In the afternoon, visit Shipi Lane - this narrow alley (only 0.8m wide) feels like stepping back in time. Sunlight filtering through the eaves creates perfect photo opportunities! 📸 Watch the sunset from Huanxiu Bridge - the orange twilight reflecting off the boats is breathtaking! 🌅 Night tour is a must! When the riverside lanterns light up, find a riverside bar, order peach blossom wine, listen to folk music while watching the rippling water - perfect vibes! 🌸 Day 2: Rain and Mist Corridor + Wolong Bridge, Experience Water Town Life Sleep in, then stroll along the Rain and Mist Corridor! 🌧️ Red lanterns sway in the breeze under the corridor, and grandmas sell homemade osmanthus candy for CNY5 - so sweet! 🌼 Lunch at a local restaurant near Wolong Bridge - must try the steamed pork with rice powder! 🥩 The pork belly wrapped in rice powder is tender, infused with lotus leaf fragrance - so good you'll want seconds! Visit the China Button Museum in the afternoon - who knew buttons had such fascinating stories! Rent a hanfu costume (CNY80 including styling) in the evening for a traditional photoshoot at Shipi Lane and ancient bridges. Day 3: Explore Surroundings + In-depth Experiences, Beyond Surface Sightseeing On the last day, explore nearby attractions! Take a 15-minute taxi to "Biyun Garden" - perfect for photos among vast flower fields, especially the April tulips! 🌷 Back in town, try indigo dyeing at a craft shop - CNY30 for your own handmade scarf, super rewarding! 🍽️Must-Try Food List: Don't Miss These 8 Dishes! ✔️ Steamed Pork with Rice Powder: CNY15/serving, amazing lotus leaf aroma, meat lovers' paradise! 🥩 ✔️ Jiaxing Yellow Wine: CNY20/pot, rich rice fragrance, perfect with marinated duck! 🍶 ✔️ Guan's Stinky Tofu: CNY10/serving, crispy outside, tender inside, great with sweet chili sauce! 💥 ✔️ Gordon Euryale Cake: CNY12/box, soft and chewy, both osmanthus and original flavors are delicious! 🥧 ✔️ Lotus Leaf Steamed Chicken: CNY68/half, chicken infused with lotus fragrance, even the sticky rice underneath is irresistible! 🐔 ⚠️Warning! Be cautious of restaurants advertising "wild river seafood" in scenic areas - overpriced and potentially not fresh. Local restaurants with queues are more reliable! 🏠Accommodation Guide - Choose by Budget! ✅ Luxury Budget (CNY500+/night): Riverside guesthouses inside the scenic area - wake up to water views and fall asleep to the sound of oars! ✨ ✅ Student/Value Budget (CNY200-300/night): Stay outside the scenic area, 10-minute walk to Xi Street, save money for more food! 👛 Important! Check if entrance tickets are included (some guesthouses offer discounts). Book two weeks ahead for holidays - last-minute bookings are expensive! 📅 ⚠️Practical Tips: Save Money + Take Great Photos! 1. Entrance Fee: CNY100/person (includes 11 attractions), free entry after 8 PM but attractions are closed. Enter in early evening for night views to save money! 🌃 2. What to Wear: Light-colored qipao/hanfu for great photos! Bring comfortable flat shoes - cobblestone streets are tough on heels! 👠 3. Shopping Tips: Buy souvenirs at "Tang East Street" - 20% cheaper than main street, remember to bargain! 🛍️ 4. Best Time: March-May (flower season), September-November (pleasant weather), avoid plum rain season and holidays! 🌞 Three days in Xitang felt like a gentle Jiangnan dream - watching grandmas washing clothes by the river in the morning, listening to storytelling in teahouses in the afternoon, counting stars under corridors at night - every moment made you want to stay longer! 🌌