Many people think Tangqi town is the nearest ancient town to Hangzhou.
很多人以為塘棲古鎮是離杭州市區最近的古鎮。
Actually, it is Xixing!
其實,西興才是!
Take the subway line 1 and get off at the Xixing Stop, you'll reach Xixing -- a peaceful place hidden among tall buildings in the city.
選個無事的上午，坐上地鐵一號線，在臨近終點的西興站下車，你就能見到它——這藏匿於高樓間的寧靜之地。
Xixing is an image of homeland for everyone who grows up in the riverside town.
西興，是每個水鄉人夢中的故鄉模樣。
There is a narrow river with water flowing slowly. Boats gently move along the river with the oar swinging and swinging, which sends you back home.
窄窄一條河道，水慢慢流、船櫓輕輕搖，搖呀搖~搖到外婆橋。
Old memories in the city forest
城市森林裡的老記憶
The history of Xixing ancient town can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period. It is called Guling and Xiling in ancient time, and is the origin of the ancient canal in eastern Zhejiang.
西興古鎮的歷史可以追溯到春秋時期。它古稱固陵、西陵，是浙東古運河的源頭。
Because of the canal, Xixing became a flourishing transit port. Therefore, the business is thriving at that time.
正因為這條運河，西興成為了南來北往繁華的中轉碼頭，這裡的商業一度非常興盛。
Nowadays, Xixing is not as flourishing as before but it becomes more amiable than before.
如今的西興，雖已沒了往日的熱鬧，卻顯得更加親近。
Get up early to go to the corner shop to buy a fried dumpling for breakfast.
早起去街角的早餐鋪子買塊油墩兒。
Go home to eat grandma-made spring rolls after school.
放了學回家吃奶奶新做的春捲。
These past stories of Xixing are just like the waves of the canal, touching the stone humps of the river and the hearts of citizens in Xixing.
這些星星點點的往事，像運河裡的水波，一下一下拍在河邊的石墩子上，也一下一下拍在了西興人的心上。
A smell of zongzi in the Old Street
堂前飄來的粽子香
Recently, residents in Xixing begin to prepare for the Dragon Boat Festival.
臨近端午，古鎮的居民們開始了過節的籌備。
Hanging calamus in front of the door.
門前掛上菖蒲。
Planning to make a table of "five yellow" dinner for family.
張羅著為家人做一桌“五黃”。
Making sachet for children to avoid summer mosquitoes.
給孩子們掛上香囊和五色線好讓他們免了夏日的蚊蟲。
While the most charming one should be the tasty zongzi wrapped tightly by green leaves, sweet or salty, every bite is homey flavor.
而最撩撥人的，還是那一隻只綠綠粽葉緊裹著的香糯粽子，或甜或鹹，每一口都是家的味道。
Walking along the old street, there is an old building of Huizhou style. The old wooden door is open, and clean courtyard is filled with fragrant flowers.
走上老街，弄堂裡一處白牆黑瓦的徽派建築，年歲已久的木門開著，乾淨的小院裡梔子花正香。
“How are you! Grandpa!” Grandpa Kong and Granny Xu were making zongzi in the room.
叫一聲“阿伯！”，走進院去，孔爺爺和徐奶奶正在屋裡包粽子。
Granny Xu is good at her craft，so grandpa can only be her little helper.
徐奶奶的手藝好，爺爺只能在旁邊笑著打下手。
"Everyone is going to eat zongzi on Dragon Boat Festival! And I will also make some for my children and relatives." Said granny Xu as she made zongzi.
“端午節嘛，就要吃粽子的呀~ 要包一些起來，給小孩送一點去，給親戚也送一點。”徐奶奶邊說邊裹著粽子。
Apart from zongzi, talking about the home banquet of the Dragon Boat Festival, granny Xu smiled and pointed fingers to count: "there should be five yellow dishes: cucumber(Huanggua in Chinese), yellow wine, yellow fish... It was always exciting to wait for children coming home for dinner.
除了粽子，說起端午的家宴，徐奶奶也笑著板著指頭數：“五黃肯定要有的，黃瓜、黃酒、黃魚……”盼著孩子們回家吃飯的心情總是令人激動的。
To be a gourmet in Xixing
老底子美食尋蹤
Tasty zongzi is far from enough. In this era of gourmets, the label of a place is often given by the local dainty. And Xixing won’t disappoint any child who comes to visit her.
說到了粽子，勾起了肚裡的饞蟲。這盛產吃貨的年代裡，一個地方的標籤，往往是飯香裡給的。西興又怎麼會讓每個來看望它的孩子失望？
The food here is not so delicate, but it is like the good things that the elders hide for their honey grandsons.
這裡的美食，不張揚，卻像是小時候長輩們藏著掖著留到最後掏出來給你的好東西。
There is a popular small restaurant alongside the river whose boss is a middle-aged man. When talked about his popular store, he was modest and shy: "Our restaurant has nothing special, just provides some homey dishes. That’s all, thank you~"
不起眼的店面，老闆是個謙和靦腆的男人，說到自己顧客盈門的店，總是擺擺手：“哪有什麼特別的，不過就是些家常菜，沒什麼好介紹的。”
This "Canal Traditional Restaurant" is not only welcomed by the neighbors, but also attracting tourists around.
這家“運河土菜館”不只是受街坊鄰居的歡迎，更吸引了前來此地的遊客們。
Jule Restaurant is recommended by Chief Director of the documentary “A Bite of China”.
舌尖導演安利的聚樂飯店。
In addition, Jule Restaurant, Binan Restaurant and Xiling Restaurant are also precious places for foodies. You can’t miss them!
另外，同在西興的聚樂飯店、濱安飯店和西陵飯店，也是吃貨們不容錯過的寶貝地方。
☑Delicious
☑Fresh
☑Special
Braised fish head, Braised bamboo shoots, Sauteed winkles and Stinky tofu ……
They are all home-cooked food, and they are exactly the home flavor!
紅燒魚頭、油燜筍、醬爆螺螄、臭豆腐千張包……都是些家常菜，吃的就是地道的家鄉味！
Want to have a taste?
看得眼饞了？
Be hungry now?
肚子餓了？
Then pick up a relaxing day and go for a walk in the Old Street in Xixing！
那就挑個明媚的日子，來西興的老街走走吧！
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