Day Trip: Xitang

Xitang, originally uploaded by StrudelMonkey.

Less than two hours by car from Shanghai, the ancient village of Xitang makes a for a great day trip. Located in Zhejiang province, the town's history dates back to the eighth century and doesn't appear to have changed much since then ... apart from the hordes of tourists following the amplified voices of their tour guides.

The numerous canals that divide the town and small bridges that span them lend the town a quaint feel. I traveled there with a couple friends and was glad to get there well before the tour groups poured in. We didn't mind the light rain that fell throughout the day