bridges, lanes and covered corridors, with many of the old streets and lanes retaining their original features. In Xitang, the famous scene is the covered corridors which is nearly long and of simple appearance. It is actually a street with roof. Some sections of the covered corridors are placed in the busiest section, while other are built along the river of streets. Long chairs are arranged along the riverside of some covered corridors for people to have a rest. Most of them are made of bricks and wood and covered by black tiles. There are 122 lanes of varying lengths in Xitang, among which five are over a long. Shipi Lane The most distinctive open-air lane is called "Shipi Lane" (). It got its name for the fact that it is flanked by two residential buildings. It was built in late Ming and early Qing dynasties (1368–1911), with length and width, and the narrowest point at the entrance is only wide. It was paved with 166 stone slabs. The walls on both sides of the lane are high, and are still intact. Zui Garden The Zui Garden () is situated at Tawan Street of Xitang and traces its origins to the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). The garden, small and unique, includes a succession of five courtyards, in which delicate rockworks and winding aisles are ingeniously arranged. In the courtyard there is an exquisite tiny bridge made of bricks, which is ornamental and functional but allows only one person to pass through at a time. On the wall opposite the door are carved three Chinese characters "", from which the garden takes its name. The hall is built by Wang Zhixi (), a prominent calligrapher and painter in the Qianlong period (1735–1795) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), whose works can still be seen in the garden. Film and television Xitang locations were featured in the final sequences of the motion picture Mission: Impossible III. Transportation The town is connected to two highways: G60 Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway and S32 Shenjiahu Expressway. The National Highways G320 and G318 pass across the town. Gallery References Bibliography External links Xitang Official Website Traditional folk houses in China Ancient Chinese cities AAAA-rated tourist attractions