You have to visit Xitang at night at least once, after dark, when the lights come on.

🌙 Not for elegance, but to get close to that touch of sunset glow in the mundane world.

Jay Chou’s song "Tianya Guoke" brought this low-key ancient town in Jiangnan back into the public eye. If you want to step into the world of the song, why not choose an evening to walk into Xitang?

🎫 Ticket Information:
Daytime ticket: Adult 95 RMB / Student 45 RMB
🆓 Free entry: Before 8 AM and after 5 PM daily (including weekends)
✅ Recommended plan: Enter after 5 PM → stay overnight in the ancient town → continue exploring the next day → leave at ease

🚗 Transportation:
About 1.5 hours by car from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai
High-speed train/tour buses also go directly, easy and convenient

📸 Must-visit photo spots:
▫️ Yongning Bridge + West Garden
— The same camera angle as Jay Chou’s "Tianya Guoke" MV, recreating the poetic Jiangnan

▫️ Misty Rain Corridor
Lanterns light up one by one at dusk, black-awning boats glide slowly by, the blue hour atmosphere is fully immersive

▫️ Huanxiu Bridge
Xitang’s tallest stone arch bridge, overlooking the water town’s dusk and lights

▫️ Shipi Alley
Xitang’s narrowest alley, look up to see a “line of sky,” perfect for silhouette or deep composition shots

▫️ Songzi Laifeng Bridge
Next to the boat dock, you can take a boat tour at night along the way
💰 Shared boat reference: 200 RMB/boat, seats 8 people, suitable for groups or on-site team-ups

💡 Travel Tips:
❶ Separate tickets are required for inner gardens (like museums, small gardens), and you can buy tickets on-site during free entry times
❷ Early morning and evening are golden hours for photography, with fewer people and soft light
❸ Boat rides are recommended at dusk when lanterns first light up, not hot or crowded, great for photos
❹ At night, choose a riverside folk music bar to listen to songs and have a drink, for an immersive slow life experience in Xitang