Xixing ancient town. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

Amidst the high-tech enterprises along the south bank of the Qiantang River lies Xixing ancient town, an authentic canal town. It marks the beginning of the 250-kilometer-long Zhedong Canal and serves as a crucial junction connecting the Grand Canal and the Maritime Silk Road, historically known for its logistics hub, Guotanghang. Today, the Zhedong Canal – Xixing Guotanghang Wharf is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Described by the poet Bai Juyi as "a white speck in the misty expanse, likely the ancient Xixing post station," Xixing ancient town is also the starting point of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) Poetry Road in eastern Zhejiang. Over 300 poems reference this region, demonstrating its rich cultural heritage.

Xixing ancient town. [Photo/WeChat account: hangzhoudaily]