Xitang Water Town

Xitang's distinguishing feature among the Jiangnan water towns is its langpeng: covered walkways running along the canal fronts for around a kilometre in total, built so that traders and residents could move and work in rain or sun, which give the town its enclosed, sheltered feel. Behind them run narrow lanes, the narrowest, Shipi Lane, barely a metre wide over a hundred metres. Nine rivers divide the old town into eight sections joined by stone bridges. At night red lanterns light the arcades and reflect in the water, which is when most photographs are taken and when the town is at its busiest. Part of Mission Impossible III was filmed here.

What you actually see

• The covered walkways - a kilometre of roofed canal-front arcades.
• Shipi Lane - the metre-wide alley running over a hundred metres.
• The night lanterns - red lighting along the arcades reflected in the water.
• The stone bridges - crossings between the town's eight sections.

When to go

March to May and September to November; evenings are the best time for the lanterns and the worst for crowds. Staying overnight in the old town lets you see it early before day trippers arrive.

Honest expectations

The town is heavily commercialised, with bars along some canals that make evenings loud. Weekend and holiday crowds are severe. Ticket rules vary by season, with some evening free entry.

Nearby

Wuzhen lies west; Shanghai is about ninety minutes northeast.