概况

江南水乡主要是指长江下游南面的苏南、浙北一带地区。这里土地肥沃、气候温和、物产丰富，自古就有先民在此聚居，千百年来，逐渐形成了许多村落和乡镇。这些乡镇依河而建，因水成街，因水成市，形成了精巧独特的建筑布局，镇上粉墙黛瓦，小桥流水，老街深巷，洋溢着浓郁的江南乡土气息，构成了一种独特的地域文化景观。因地理人文环境的差异，各镇又各有自己的特色。20世纪80年代以来，中国农村经济迅速发展，大多数历史古镇经历了现代建设的改造，基本失掉了原来的风貌。值得庆幸的是，浙江省的乌镇、南浔、西塘和江苏省的周庄、同里、甪直等古镇得到了及时的保护。近年来，这些古镇又在专家的指导下进行了合理的整治，较完整地保存了原汁原味的历史风貌，成为人类珍贵的文化遗产。

西塘，属浙江省嘉善县，地处江、浙、沪三角腹地，有“吴根越角”之称。明清时期已成为江南手工业、商业重镇。镇上小河绕街，有长长的廊棚，给水乡住家和来往的行人以莫大的方便和舒适。古石桥、古巷弄、古树是西塘文化源远流长的写照。

西塘的廊棚，是古镇特有的建筑风光。木柱沿河而立，架起简单的木屋架，铺有瓦顶，遮阳避雨，沿河沿街绵延千米，把小镇主要的沿河街都盖住了。每逢节日，檐下挂起了大红灯笼，夕阳西下，红灯点点，水中倒影连成一串，增添了欢乐的气氛。廊棚作为沿街建筑的延伸，作为悠悠河流的傍依，充满了浓浓的人情和乡情。

西塘居民爱植花草，尤善培植杜鹃花，名品之多闻名四方，春来花发，蔚为大观。西塘又是民俗文化荟萃之所，民间自行开办了木雕、根雕、瓦当、服饰、书法绘画等博物馆。西塘还有许多名人故居、大宅深院及名胜古迹，这些都是古镇历史文化的见证。

主要景点：廊棚、石皮弄、古石桥、烧香港、陆坟银杏、种福堂、尊闻堂、倪天增祖居、木雕馆、西园。

The Canal Towns in Jiangnan Area mainly refer to the old towns which lie at the lower reaches of the Yangtze River in the south of Jiangsu Province and north of Zhejiang Province, and endowed with fertile land, mild climate and rich produce, this area was inhabited by primitive people many thousand years ago. Natural villages and towns have formed along small rivers, comprising exquisitely unique architectural layout. The towns feature white walls and dark tiles, small bridges and streams, old streets and long lanes. Local color constitutes a unique regional cultural landscape. These towns vary in style due to different geographic and cultural environments. Since 1980s, most of the ancient towns have been modernized with the takeoff of China’s rural economy, losing the original framework. Fortunately, Xitang, Nanxun and Wuzhen in Zhejiang Province and Zhouzhuang, Tongli and Luzhi in Jiangsu Province have been timely preserved. In recent years, these old towns have been renovated under the guidance of experts. With original historic features, they are becoming the common heritage of our human race.

Situated close to Shanghai, Xitang has been a major town of handicraft industry and trade in Jiangnan Area since the Ming and Qing Dynasty. With its meandering rivers, and long roofed corridors, residents living here and passing pedestrians enjoy great comfort and convinience. The ancient stone bridges, lanes and trees are an epitome of its long history.

The roofed corridors, over a thousand meters in total length, are unique in Xitang. The wood pillars along the river support a tiled roof to provide shelter. During the holidays, red lanterns are hung along under the eaves, together with the reflection in water, forming the atmosphere of happiness. The roofed corridors, as the extention of buildings along the streets, are full of human concerns.

The local people like to grow flowers, especially good at growing azaleas, with famous varieties to be distributed far and wide. Xitang is also known for its folk artifacts, local people voluntarily set up museums for woodcarving, root carving, tile-end relief, garment, calligraphy and painting. Here you can also find residences of famous persons, big houses and other historic wonders.

Major places of interest:

Roofed Corridors, Shipi Lane, Ancient Stone Bridges, Pilgrims’Port, Lufen Ginkgo, Zhongfu Hall, Zunwen Hall, Ni Tianzeng’s Ancestral House, Woodcarving Museum and Western Garden.