Day Trip to Xiazhu Lake and Xinshi Old Town from Hangzhou

Depart from Hangzhou and arrive roughly one-and-a-half hours later in Xinshi Old Town. Xinshi is the product of thousands of years of life on the river’s edge – a town of ponds and bridges.
A key stop on the Beijing-Hangzhou Trans-national Canal, this unpretentious little slice of classic Jiang’nan style is has long been a bustling commercial port.
With a guide by your side, stroll the flagstone streets and hear some points on this old town’s cultural curiosities and history
We’ll come across the ‘Lin Family Stall’ (the inspiration for a 1932 Chinese novel – and still standing!), see the Xinshi Grand Canal, stop in at some handcraft workshops, and snack on some of the produce – mostly the local characteristic ‘fried glutinous puddingball’.
At noon we hit up a uniquely local restaurant and try some of the lamb dishes that Old Town is famous for.
 Afterwards it’s onto the coach and off to Xiazhu Lake. Move via boat by the ‘three islets’, through quiet, winding waters by water-top fields of windswept reeds, seeing native wild birds and wildlife ecosystems as you go.
By the wetland lake, experience the famed tradition of the ‘Three Teas’ tea ceremony.
In the early evening we’ll make tracks, returning to inner-city Hangzhou.