Xintang

Day Trips

After checking into a traditional guesthouse, wander through narrow cobblestone alleys lined with centuries-old buildings adorned with red lanterns. The air is filled with the aroma of fresh tea and sweet steamed buns from nearby vendors. Pause at a quaint teahouse for a bowl of jasmine tea and chat with locals about Xintang’s storied history.

Cross the ancient Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal on a wooden footbridge, watching sampans glide under arched stone bridges. Follow the canal bank to discover hidden calligraphy shops where artisans demonstrate brush painting on rice paper. Stop for a bowl of spicy rice noodles at a riverside stall, savoring the blend of fresh herbs and chili oil.

As dusk settles, lanterns along the waterway are lit, casting a warm golden glow. Sit at a riverside café and enjoy live traditional music from a pipa player. Sample local street snacks like yuanxiao and crispy pan-fried dumplings as vendors call out in sing-song voices.

Board a wooden canal boat at sunrise for a two-hour cruise through the heart of Xintang’s water network. Drift past arched bridges and waterside homes, catching glimpses of fishermen casting nets. The soft lapping of water and distant temple bells create a serene atmosphere.

Disembark at the bustling Lingxin Market, where fruit stalls overflow with lychees, longans, and green plums. Sample freshly pressed sugarcane juice and chat with fruit sellers about seasonal harvests. Wander through narrow corridors of vendors selling silk scarves, traditional embroidery, and hand-carved woodwork.

Head to a family-run noodle house for a hearty bowl of beef brisket noodles in rich broth. Attend a local tea house’s evening storytelling performance, where an elder recounts folklore of Xintang’s silk trade. Finish the night with a stroll along the canal, enjoying reflections of lanterns dancing on the water.

Visit a centuries-old textile mill to witness the weaving of fine brocade silks. Observe master weavers at wooden looms, their rhythmic movements producing delicate patterns. Learn about the dyeing process and the symbolism behind traditional motifs.

Participate in a hands-on indigo dye workshop, where you can create your own handkerchief using natural plant dyes. Explore the mill’s museum gallery, which displays vintage reels of silk and antique weaving tools. Enjoy a light lunch of lotus leaf rice wrapped in banana leaves, a local specialty.

Join a small-group workshop to embroider a silk patch under the guidance of a local artisan. Sip jasmine tea as you stitch floral patterns onto soft fabric. End the day with a quiet walk through a nearby lotus pond lit by paper lanterns.

Rent a bicycle and pedal along the scenic Huangpu River promenade. Watch cargo boats and fishing vessels drifting by against a backdrop of lush, rolling hills. Stop at a café under a banyan tree for espressos and freshly baked sesame buns.

Relax on the riverbank with a packed picnic of tea-smoked chicken, cucumber salad, and steamed baozi. Join local families flying kites and playing badminton on the grassy banks. Capture photos of traditional stilt houses lining the opposite shore.

Take part in a riverside calligraphy session under a willow tree, guided by a calligraphy master. As the sun sets, enjoy a sunset cruise with dinner served on board—delicate steamed fish, stir-fried greens, and fragrant rice. Listen to a live qin performance as lanterns float on the water.

Venture to Qiaotou Village, a short drive through emerald rice fields and bamboo groves. Greet farmers as they work in terraced paddies and learn about organic rice cultivation. Sample fresh rice cakes prepared over an open fire.

Join a local family for a hands-on cooking session, preparing traditional dishes like sweet and sour mandarin fish. Explore the village’s ancestral hall, admiring ornate wood carvings and ancestral tablets. Sip homemade plum wine while swapping stories with villagers.

Gather around a communal table for a farm-to-table dinner of stir-fried river snails, smoked tofu, and mountain vegetables. Watch an impromptu folk dance performance under strings of lanterns. Fall asleep in a simple farmhouse, lulled by crickets and distant temple bells.

Set out to Xintang’s wet market before dawn to see live seafood, fresh produce, and exotic spices on display. Chat with fishmongers and spice vendors about local ingredients. Pick up fresh shrimp, pork belly, and aromatic herbs for tonight’s cooking class.

Attend a hands-on class at a renowned local cooking school. Learn to prepare gongbao chicken, hand-pulled noodles, and bamboo-smoked duck under the guidance of a chef. Enjoy your creations for lunch, paired with fragrant jasmine tea.

Take a guided food tour through alleyways lit by red lanterns, sampling crispy spring rolls, stinky tofu, and sweet osmanthus cakes. End with refreshing sugarcoated hawthorn berries served on bamboo skewers. Share local food lore with your guide under the starlit sky.

Hike up Tianfo Hill at daybreak, breathing in the scent of pine and wildflowers. Stop at cliffside pavilions to admire views of Xintang’s patchwork fields and winding waterways. Listen to birdsong echoing through bamboo forests.

Reach the summit’s ancient stone pagoda and enjoy a picnic of rice balls, steamed buns, and fresh fruit. Explore hidden temple ruins draped in ivy and bronze Buddha statues. Photograph sweeping vistas before descending along a shaded trail.

Relax in a mountain hot spring bath, soaking tired muscles in mineral-rich waters. Dine at a hilltop guesthouse, savoring mountain mushroom soup and stir-fried wild greens. Lounge under the open sky, watching fireflies dance among the trees.

Visit Xintang Museum to explore exhibits on the city’s silk heritage, ancient pottery, and folk arts. View detailed dioramas of traditional weaving workshops and historic canal scenes. Participate in an interactive exhibit, weaving a small silk bookmark.

Stroll to the nearby Folk Art Center, where local artisans demonstrate paper cutting and lantern-making. Try your hand at crafting a red paper lantern to take home. Pause at a tea pavilion for oolong tea and sweet red bean pastries.

Attend a cultural performance in a restored opera house, featuring Cantonese opera and traditional dance. Admire elaborate costumes, face paint, and live percussion. Savor a sumptuous banquet afterward, featuring slow-braised pork knuckles and lotus root soup.

Catch an early high-speed train to Guangzhou’s dazzling skyline and bustling streets. Begin at the Chen Clan Academy, marveling at intricate wood carvings and ceramic otoliths. Sample dim sum at a century-old teahouse, popping fluffy char siu bao into your mouth.

Explore Shamian Island, lined with pastel-colored colonial mansions and shady plane trees. Rent a tandem bike to cruise along tree-lined promenades. Refuel with a bowl of fresh rice noodles topped with minced pork and pickled vegetables.

Return to Xintang by train and relax at a local hot pot restaurant for a communal feast of spicy broth and fresh ingredients. Dip thin slices of beef, tofu, and vegetables into fiery chili oil. Toast your journey with a cold Tsingtao beer as the night fills with laughter.

Ease into your last morning with a leisurely breakfast of lotus leaf rice and green tea at a riverside café. Rekindle your favorite moments by strolling along the canal one last time. Pick up a few silk scarves and tea leaves from a local shop as parting gifts.

Have a final dim sum lunch at a bustling family-run restaurant, sampling shrimp dumplings and egg tarts. Write postcards from a quaint calligraphy station, sealing them with red wax stamps. Watch artisans at work as you linger over jasmine tea.

Return to the guesthouse to pack your bags and say goodbye to friendly hosts. Enjoy a simple noodle soup by lamplight, reflecting on the week’s adventures. Head to the station for your onward journey, carrying the warmth of Xintang in your heart.