Shi Pi Long, located in the lower west street of Xitang Town, is a slender alleyway nestled between the Wang family’s ‘Zhong Fuk Tang’ and ‘Zun Wen Tang’. Spanning 68 meters in length, it is paved with 216 stone slabs, each only three centimeters thick.
Archaeological evidence suggests that beneath the stone path lies a drainage system that prevents water accumulation during rainy days, hence the name Shi Pi Long, which translates to ‘stone skin alley’. It is one of the deepest and longest alleys in the ancient town, with a width of only one meter at its broadest point and a mere 0.8 meters at its narrowest, requiring individuals to pass each other sideways when encountered. Gazing up from within Shi Pi Long, the vast blue sky appears as a slender strip, earning it the nickname ‘a thread of sky’ in Xitang. Despite its fame, Shi Pi Long remains relatively quiet due to its narrow and elongated nature, attracting fewer tourists. Walking through the alley, one can feel the ancient stone slabs underfoot and reach out to touch the towering stone walls of the grand residences on either side, evoking a sense of nostalgia for the deep courtyards of the past. Upon reaching the end, the sky brightens, revealing the bustling crowd on the commercial street, as if stepping from another era into a sudden revelation. Shi Pi Long is open all year round, accessible 24 hours a day.Shi Pi Long: A Unique Alley in Zhouzhuang
Shi Pi Long, located in the lower west street of Xitang Town, is a slender alleyway nestled between [...]
