Nanxun Ancient Town - A Must-Visit Water Town in Jiangnan
Discover the Dream of Jiangnan in Nanxun
In the misty rain of Jiangnan, Nanxun Ancient Town unfolds like a traditional Chinese ink painting, quietly telling its thousand-year story. If you're yearning for a poetic life with white walls, black tiles, bridges, and flowing streams, follow this guide to explore Nanxun and experience its unique charm!
I. Itinerary
Classic One-Day Tour
- Morning: Enter the ancient town through the South Gate. First, you'll see Xiaolian Garden, a private garden built by Liu Yong, a wealthy merchant from the late Qing Dynasty. With its lotus ponds, winding bridges, and peculiar rocks, every step reveals a new view. It's especially enchanting in summer when the lotus flowers bloom. Next door is the Jiaye Tang Library, which once housed 160,000 books. Its East-meets-West layout exudes classical elegance - take time to immerse yourself in its rich cultural atmosphere. Then visit Zhang Shiming's Former Residence to appreciate "Jiangnan's Finest Mansion," where Chinese courtyards blend with Western-style ballrooms, featuring exquisite wood, brick, and stone carvings that remind visitors of its past glory.
- Afternoon: Visit Liu's Tihao, a Chinese-Western fusion "Red House" where the red Western building complements the Jiangnan courtyard, making it perfect for photos. Then take a boat from Shizi Wharf to reach Baijian Lou. Built along the river, Baijian Lou features white walls and black tiles with corridors reflecting in the water. Walking here feels like stepping back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties - enjoy this peaceful water town moment.
- Evening: Find a riverside restaurant at Baijian Lou, order the tender and flavorful Xun Ti (Nanxun-style braised pork trotter), paired with local rice wine. Savor the food while enjoying the ancient town's sparkling night views, immersing yourself in the captivating Jiangnan night.
In-Depth Two-Day Tour
- Day 1: Follow the classic one-day tour itinerary, then stay overnight in an ancient town guesthouse. Fall asleep to the sound of flowing water and dream of Jiangnan.
- Day 2: Start early with a visit to Yi Garden, a restored Pang family garden. This delicate garden features well-arranged pavilions and beautiful scenery year-round. With fewer visitors in the morning, you can better appreciate its beauty. Then visit Zhang Jingjiang's Former Residence to learn about this legendary figure's life and experience the cultural heritage of a wealthy late Qing Dynasty family. If time and energy permit, visit Shanlian Ancient Town, a 30-minute drive from Nanxun, to experience its unique writing brush culture and add something special to your journey.
II. Food Guide
- Xun Ti: Nanxun's signature dish uses quality pork trotters, carefully cooked until tender but not greasy, crispy but not mushy, melting in your mouth with an enticing aroma. Featured on "Twelve Flavors," it's available vacuum-packed as a perfect gift.
- Shuangjiao Noodles: The signature dish at Zhuangyuan Lou features crispy fish and braised pork belly toppings. The fish is crispy outside and tender inside, the pork belly is rich but not greasy, the noodles are perfectly chewy, and the savory broth is irresistible.
- Dingsheng Cake: Recommended at Qiaomiao Fang, these freshly made cakes come piping hot. The traditional red bean filling is sweet but not cloying, with various innovative flavors to try. The soft texture with subtle rice fragrance makes it a must-try Jiangnan dessert.
- Three-Course Tea: Including sweet tea, smoked bean tea, and clear tea, this is unique to Nanxun's tea culture. Sweet tea is rich and mellow, smoked bean tea is savory, and clear tea is refreshing. Order a set at an old teahouse in the ancient town to experience the local leisurely lifestyle.
III. Accommodation Recommendations
- Ancient Town Guesthouses: Xunju Riverside Guesthouse at Baijian Lou offers rooms with river views, providing an authentic waterside living experience, priced at CNY200-300 per person. Nanxun Tong'er Original Guesthouse focuses on family-friendly themes with cozy rooms and includes green park tickets, perfect for families traveling with children.
- Hotels Outside the Ancient Town: Le Meridien Wanda Hotel is a four-star hotel with complete facilities and attentive service, a 10-minute walk from the scenic area, around CNY400 per person including breakfast. Vienna International Hotel offers good value as a budget hotel near Zhengyi Square, convenient for travel, around CNY150 per person.
IV. Transportation Guide
- Driving: Navigate to "Nanxun Ancient Town." Parking Lot No. 3 is recommended for its convenient location and easy access to boat services.
- High-Speed Rail: First arrive at Huzhou Station, then take a taxi to Nanxun Ancient Town (about 1 hour), or take bus 101 or 101B directly. You can also book direct buses from Hangzhou, Suzhou, Shanghai, and other cities to Nanxun Ancient Town through the "Haoxingwang" mini program.
V. Helpful Tips
1. Some small attractions in the ancient town require separate tickets. A combined ticket offers better value. Opening hours are generally 08:00-17:00 in summer and 08:00-16:30 in winter. Plan your visit accordingly.
2. The ancient town has many stone paths, so wear comfortable sports shoes for easy walking.
3. The best time to photograph Baijian Lou is early morning or dusk when the light is soft and there are fewer tourists.
4. For authentic local food, choose old restaurants frequented by locals for better taste and value.