XITANG
2008-9-8
The covered corridors- The covered corridors attract Chinese and foreign tourists for their graceful charms. Most of the streets in Xitang are covered with roofs, so merchants and passengers do not worry about rain and sunshine. Long chairs are arranged along the riverside of some covered corridors for people to have a rest. Most are made of bricks and wood and usually 2 -2.5 m wide. They are centralized in commercial areas, with a total length of over 1000 meters to provide shelters from rain or sunshine for passengers. The most elegant part is the carved decorative patterns hailed by tourists as the acme of perfection.
- Jiayin Hall, established in 1912, is located in the front part of Youjia Lane in Zhuxing Street; it has four entrances and all the doors, windows and beams are well-carved. Its owner Liu Bingnan, original Beishe people, started oil mill in Luxu at the very beginning, and moved to Tongli to build luxurious residence which cost 20,000 grams silver after becoming rich. Liu Bingnan and the famous patriotic poet Liu Yazi are of the same clan.
The main architecture of Jiayin Hall, commonly referred to as ¡°Gauze Cap Hall¡±, imitates the architectural style of Ming dynasty. It got such a name because the front beam is like the cap wing in Ming dynasty. The high and spacious court is solemn and grand. The symmetric two sides of five beams are carved with Eight Horses, and the two ends of beams are carved with Phoenix and Peony. Such patterns as Satisfaction and Destined to be Selected are carved at the back of beams. What¡¯s more rare is that the gauze cap wings (i.e. the front beam) are carved with eight pictures in Romance of Three Kingdoms including Meeting in Ancient Town, Three Big Persons (Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei) Fighting against Lv Bu, etc.. All the figures in these pictures are vividly portrayed. 
the Shipi Lane- Lanes are another feature sight of Xitang.Winding paths in the lanes lead to a secluded spot far in the deep.When reaching the end scenery of unique beauty will instantly unfold before you.Paved with 216 pieces of stones,the Shipi Lane on the West Street is 68 meters long and merely 1 meters wide.It is famous for its extremely thib stones,enjoying a saying of "A Gleam of Light"in Xitang.
Xitang belongs to Jiashan in Zhejiang Province. Inside the town, there are many well- preserved architectures of the Ming and Qing dynasties, which boast a high artistry and study value, thus being highlighted by the experts at home and abroad studying antique buildings.It is very unique among the old towns of the same rank for its great number of bridges, lanes and covered corridors.
Rivers crisscross in the whole town and bridges are densely distributed. Until 1998, there are 104 bridges existing in the whole town.Most of them are of single or three holes and with stone pillars and wooden beams.Those bridges have an exquisite workmanship and all of high appreciation value.
Besides cultural value of residential architectures, the historical cultural values of Xitang are also displayed in its bamboo-carvings, wood-carvings, bricks, stones and tiles collected and exhibited by their owners; in the open communication between owners and tourists concerning music, chess, calligraphy and painting; in the exhibits of collected ancient books and rare editions; and in the rubbing from the stone inscriptions.
NOTICE
CHARGE: Adult ticket 150yuan
PROVIDE:return coach fare and admission;lunch excluded.
TRAVELERS DISCOUNT:
The admission for adult is 100 yuan
Kids below 120cm are free ;
Kids 120-140cm and elder over 60 years old are 50% off.
You can pay 75yuan for a seat in the coach for the above people.
But the admission is excluded,you may buy it at the entrance.
OTHERS:
Tourist accident insurance is.highly recommended to travelers.2 yuan for each for one day tour
Do remember take your passport on yourself for discount
This route will be changed to ground road if the expressway is blocked due to the bad weather.
