Paragons of pleasure

Xitang is different from other old Chinese towns because it has covered walkways along all the rivers. In Xitang, pedestrians don't have to worry about getting wet in the rain or suffering sunburn.

The first villages along the rivers were established during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). During the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1279-1368) dynasties, the villages grew bigger and thus created the right conditions for the setting up of large markets. And since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Xitang has been an important manufacturing and business center.

In Xitang, there is hardly any space among houses because land has always been precious in this river-fed area. No wonder, Xitang boasts of some 120 winding alleys, the longest being more than 100 meters and the narrowest being less than 1 meter.

If you look up while navigating one of the narrow alleys in Xitang, you will see what has come to be known as a "one-inch sky".

Xitang residents are known for their traditional and quiet lifestyle and for the delicious fair they cook up in their kitchens, such as steamed pork wrapped in lotus leaf, duck wonton pot, spiced salt pumpkin and stinky tofu.

3. Baiyangdian, Hebei province

Baiyangdian, in Hebei province, is a typical northern wetland known for its rich flora and fauna.

Baiyangdian in Baoding, Hebei province, is the largest fresh water lake on the North China plain. A typical northern wetland known for its rich flora and fauna, Baiyangdian's boundless reeds are bright green in summer. The lake sees lotus of various types blossom from August which starts withering with the onset of fall.

Baiyangdian, where the reeds turn golden in the fall, has inspired many artists to leave their ink paintings for posterity to admire and appreciate.

Sitting on a boat meandering through the reeds, with the sonorous voice of a boatman ringing the air, is the stuff of dreams. Geese and ducks swimming serenely nearby and fish jumping out of and into the water now and then add to the enigma of such a dream.

Seeing fishermen deftly work with their nets, some tourists cannot help trying their hand at fishing the traditional way.

But perhaps the greatest offering of Baiyangdian is the magnificent sunset that one can see from a boat. It's an experience that can be preserved for a lifetime in one's memory. The sun, as it dips below the horizon, seems to cleanse the soul and revive the spirit.

The area around the lake boasts of quite a number of old buildings, which have played host to some emperors who loved to spend their summer months by the Baiyangdian lake.

And as one would expect, the local cuisine, especially the delicacies, revolves around the offerings of the lake — fish, crabs, shrimps, ducks, salted duck eggs, lotus roots and lotus porridge.

Contact the writer at zhangzixuan@chinadaily.com.cn.