Covered corridors, also known as rain corridors, are a common sight in many ancient towns in the Jiangnan region. They are characterized by wooden pillars supporting a tile-roofed street. The covered corridors in Xitang, however, are distinctive. As you walk along the riverside within the ancient town, these corridors always provide shelter from the wind and rain above your head. Particularly on a rainy day, walking under the corridors while listening to the patter of rain and admiring the misty scenery outside creates a rich and immersive atmosphere, earning Xitang’s corridors the poetic name of ‘Yanyu Longlang’.
Most of Xitang’s covered corridors are built along the river, allowing you to stroll through various shops along the street while the river flows on one side, with the occasional oar-powered boat carrying tourists slowly passing by. Some corridors even have backrest benches for people to rest, and several stone bridges connect the corridors on both sides of the river. Walking under the covered corridors or finding a riverside teahouse to sit with two chairs by the river, enjoying the river breeze while sipping tea and chatting, is a very leisurely experience.
The total length of Xitang’s covered corridors is nearly a kilometer, and some are located between buildings with shops and residences closely adjacent on both sides. However, the most scenic are the riverside corridors, among which the Nandai Corridor, starting from the North Barrier and ending at the Songzilaifeng Bridge, has a history of over a hundred years and is considered classic. The scene in the movie ‘Mission: Impossible III’ where Tom Cruise runs towards the Songzilaifeng Bridge was filmed at this very corridor. The covered corridors are open all year round, accessible 24 hours a day.
Yanyu Longlang: The Charming Covered Corridor of Xitang
Covered corridors, also known as rain corridors, are a common sight in many ancient towns in the Jia[...]
