The original Xitang ancient town – a vivid landscape painting

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This post was last edited by A Senior Beginner in Design on 2017-8-24 at 13:56. Xitang – this beautiful name has long been a subject of my dreams. Whether under the bright sunshine or in a misty rain, that quiet ancient town always seems like a graceful beauty in traditional clothing, whose every smile and expression is utterly enchanting. Especially as dusk approaches, covered in moss and hues of twilight, it is framed by a warm glow, shaped over the years into a landscape painting. Xitang, an ancient town with a thousand-year history, is like a living piece of history, a tender poem – stepping into that dreamlike Xitang. Gazing at the waterside village, with its white walls and black rooftops, as well as the reflections of boats on the water’s surface, it resembles a softly colored painting on rice paper under the haze ； Entering Xitang, with its ancient covered walkways and secluded alleys, one feels as though they have stepped into a distant past. http://s11.sinaimg.cn/mw690/006RCDCOzy7dqPm9WP0fa&690 Although Xitang Ancient Town lacks the prosperity of Zhouzhuang, the wealth associated with Nanxun, and a strong commercial atmosphere, its unique charm captivates those who stay there! The essence of Xitang lies in the early mornings and late evenings: find an inn by the water, either lean on the railing while looking out of the window or sit on a chaise lounge in the courtyard by the water, brew a cup of tea, and quietly enjoy the slow pace of life in this ancient town. The charm of Xitang is beyond description. On both sides of the waterways in the ancient town of Xitang, tall pink-walled buildings stand, with tiled roofs reflected in the water, creating a scene that is both poetic and picturesque. The waterways crisscross throughout the area, and ancient stone bridges connect the various parts of the town. The ancient town of Xitang presents visitors with a ever-changing landscape typical of a water town: houses situated in the water, small bridges built over the waterways, people walking on those bridges, boats moving beneath them, shops located at the ends of the bridges, and reflections in the water – all of which leave visitors in awe. Xitang is located in a network of waterways, and its residents value land extremely highly. Whether it’s commercial buildings, residential homes, or other structures, great care is taken to optimize the available space during construction; the gaps between buildings are minimized. As a result, there are over 120 long, deep, and narrow alleys, some of which are longer than 100 meters while others are less than 1 meter wide, creating numerous areas that resemble \"one-line skies\". At the same time, the names of the streets and alleys vividly reflect the prosperity of commerce in the ancient town as well as the characteristics of these alleys. Names such as Mixingdai, Dengzhu Street, Youche Alley, Chaitan Alley, and Shipi Alley are among the dozens of such names, all of which are directly related to the commerce and architecture of that era. Xitang has won the favor of many tourists thanks to its three main features: numerous bridges, numerous alleys, and numerous covered walkways. In the ancient town area, 9 waterways intersect with each other, dividing the town into 8 sections; 27 ancient bridges connect these areas together. Many of the ancient houses and courtyards still existing in the old town are the result of the prosperity achieved by its ancestors back then. Since transportation in Xitang relied mainly on waterways back then, there was little external disturbance, which allowed Xitang to preserve its ancient town in perfect condition to this day, enabling the heritage of its ancestors to be passed down. There are 11 attractions for tourism in Xitang. Walking counterclockwise: enter from Yejia Alley in the center of the ancient town, turn right onto Xijie, and pass by the Root Carving Museum, the Tile Edge Museum, and Xue’s House Button Museum” ； Upon reaching the double bridge, go straight across Anjing Bridge and turn right; at Shao**, visit the \"Ni Residence, Sacred Temple, and Woodcarving Museum\"” ； Head north along the ancient street to the east of Yansitang Port, cross Lion Bridge, and you will see the “Huangjiu Tavern”” ； Along the slender corridor shrouded in mist and rain, passing by the Songzi Lai Feng Bridge, heading westward, one arrives at the “Drunk Garden” and the Temple of the Seventh Lord” ； Return to Huanxiu Bridge, turn right into Zhongfutang” ； Head east along West Street to finally visit the “West Garden”. In Xitang, there is a period of time called Encounter. Whether you go or not, I have already gone; whether you come or not, I have already arrived. Instead of hesitating between going and staying, it’s better to just go. In past and present lives, dreaming of Xitang, it is not difficult to meet a beautiful woman amidst the beauty of this ancient city. Those who have visited Xitang will have it deeply etched in their minds, just like the feelings of first love – a beautiful and sacred memory. Every visitor to Xitang has a seed planted within them, a seed that yearns for beauty, peace, and freedom.