I want to go to Xitang in November. How about going during this season? Who can give me detailed self-guided tour guide to Xitang? gratitude!
I don’t think Xitang is better for taking pictures than Wuzhen. I just came back from Xitang yesterday. I went there with my boyfriend and stayed for a day. The weather is not bad, not cold, and the sun is just right.
Xitang is really very small. There are only two streets on the other side of the river and the main street here, and it’s almost the same as walking to the end. However, it seems that there are fewer people on the Beizha side and the stores are relatively deserted. There is the Wolong Bridge attraction just over the bar.
If you want to stay, check out the Xitang accommodation website. There are many hotels for reference. The ones facing the water, with large carved beds, may be slightly more expensive. Generally speaking, the price is less than 100 from Monday to Thursday, about 100 to 120 on Friday, and more than 120 on Saturday. Saturday is the highest price. But it also depends on the conditions of the inn, some only cost 120, and some cost 200. The more you ask, the more choices you will have. There are many accommodations along the street, but I was worried that I would be a little nervous to find accommodation as I arrived late that day. The best thing is to book in advance and go early. Many hotel owners can take you in to avoid the entrance fee.
Speaking of tickets, there is a disadvantage of running away. Most of the attractions in Xitang require separate tickets to enter. The ticket for Xitang Scenic Area is RMB 50, and the combined ticket is RMB 100, which allows you to enter a total of 11 attractions. We evaded fares so we didn't go into any of the attractions that require tickets. I don't know what's going on inside. However, I personally feel that Xitang is not very fun, at least Wuzhen is more fun.
If you travel, there are small shops, bars, attractions, etc. on the two streets. Xitang is really small and you can visit it in less than a day. You can put up lanterns at night, they are very beautiful, but if they are taken away, they are said to pollute the environment.
For food, Ding Kee is good and relatively affordable. The fried screws in sauce are delicious, and the old duck wonton pot is also good. Business is pretty good, so try to go early or late to miss the peak period.
As for snacks, Lao Ma’s steamed pork with rice noodles is delicious. It’s worthy of being on the show. I forgot about the bridge opposite the bar. Then, the pork belly is also very delicious. The fat meat is not greasy. I even eat it even if I don’t eat fat meat. Maltose is a good choice for those who love sweet food. There is also rice wine, which is sold on the street, priced at 2.5 yuan or 3 yuan. You can try the sweet rice wine. The so-called Guan Laotai stinky tofu seems to be authentic. There are many, including Guan Lao Liu. The price is cheaper in a small alley opposite the bar. It is 5 yuan and 10 yuan, while others are 5 yuan and only 8 yuan. There is also Gorgon Cake. The one in Beizha is relatively cheap, priced at 6 yuan per box. Others are 10 yuan or 8 yuan, so you can look for them along the way. Zongzi is also a specialty of Xitang, or Jiaxing. It costs one yuan a piece and can be eaten in one bite. Duck gizzards also taste good. They usually cost 4 or 5 yuan per skewer, which is relatively expensive. The tofu pudding in Xitang is average and more expensive than the ones outside. It costs 4 yuan for a small bowl. It only contains chopped green onion vinegar and not even peanuts. I don’t recommend it. By the way, I must say that there is a store called Yu Cake House, which is really a scam. I strongly despise it! It's almost done. The only regret is that I didn't try the Lu's wontons. I heard they were delicious, but that's just what I heard.
Let me tell you a little more about my own feelings. Before going to Xitang, I read a lot of information about Xitang bars. In fact, it may be that we are not suitable for going to bars. They feel smoky inside. Most of them require a minimum consumption of 100, and some do not require a minimum consumption, such as Hongting, but its beer requires 4 bottles to be purchased together. Yes, in fact, it is equivalent to requiring minimum consumption in disguise. I don't like it very much, personally.
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the restaurant in My Youth Who Calls the Shots was very majestic. I have never eaten in it. It has a nice environment and has two floors. You can eat by the water upstairs. However, most restaurants in Xitang have water frontage on the second floor.
To be honest, things like trinkets are the same in every house. Some of them can even be bought in other places. It depends on personal preference. But I suggest not to spend too much, it’s not very interesting. Buy what you like and don't follow the trend.
Finally, I personally think Wuzhen is more fun than Xitang. I also hope that these answers are useful to you. They are all my own feelings, typed word by word. Have a nice trip.