西塘是一個(gè)具有一千多年歷史的水鄉(xiāng)古鎮(zhèn)，保存完好的明清時(shí)期建筑群是其他旅游景點(diǎn)所無法相比的。徜徉古鎮(zhèn)街頭，使人們仿佛置身于一副美麗的水墨畫之中。河兩岸高聳的粉墻和水中清晰的瓦房倒影，還有那在微風(fēng)里婆娑搖曳的楊柳，似乎都在為這個(gè)古鎮(zhèn)增添著異彩和生機(jī)。

在這個(gè)寧靜的水鎮(zhèn)里，生活的腳步似乎完全聽命于那淌著潺潺流水的河流。西塘可以說是水的同義詞。這里的河流是那樣的蜿蜒曲折、波光粼粼，映射出一派寧靜祥和的街景。夜幕降臨，河岸邊數(shù)千盞燈籠與晚霞一并點(diǎn)燃，把整個(gè)小鎮(zhèn)映襯得燈火通明，為鎮(zhèn)民們照亮了回家的路。

Xitang, a river-side town with a history of more than 1,000 years, boasts a group of well-preserved buildings from Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty that are unmatched by any other resorts. Take a free walk in its streets, and you will feel as if you were in a picturesque Chinese ink painting. The high-standing white wall on both sides of the river and the clear reflection of tile-roofed houses in the water as well as the willows waving and dancing in the breeze all vividly bring life and vigor to the town.

In this tranquility, the pace of life seems to be harmoniously subject to the gurgling streams. The name of the town, Xitang, is a synonym of water. The winding rivers with sparkling ripples give away the tranquility it has acquired. As the fall of night ignites thousands of lanterns along the riverbanks and set off the sunset glow, the whole town become ablaze with light and illuminates the way home for its residents.
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