Shanghai, China Travel Guide
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Xitang Water Town or Ancient City
Overview: This should be placed in the Must Do section of Shanghai’s attractions. Xitang is an ancient water town lying in Jiashan county about 50 miles from Shanghai and it’s old as heck (thousands of years old, in fact). The city centers around a canal system and consists of shops selling Chinese knickknacks, restaurants and watering holes. The canal, covered corridors, 27 bridges and the people lend an irresistible charm to this tourist attraction. A bus will take you there in an hour’s time. This is one of the must-see stops. If you’ve seen Mission Impossible III, you’ve seen Xitang.
Cost: 30 to 60 Yuan, depending on the sites you want to see
Accessibility: It is accessible in the sense that you if you stay along one side of the canal, you’re fine. But, the little bridges have steps and some are just plain awkward, steep and curvy. Also, some of the restaurants have steps to enter.
Getting There: Get to section 5 of Shanghai gymnasium in Xuhui District. Take a bus from Shanghai to Jiashan, then, hop into another bus to Xitang or a cab