Nanxun Ancient Town: A Poetic Water Town in Jiangnan

Nanxun Ancient Town, a thousand-year-old town hidden in the misty rain of Jiangnan, offers both the gentle charm of small bridges and flowing water, as well as a unique blend of Chinese and Western styles, making it an exceptional tourist destination. Keep this guide handy to explore the beauty of Nanxun Ancient Town. Opening hours: April 1 - October 31, 07:30 - 17:00; November 1 - March 31, 08:00 - 16:30. It's recommended to enter the town before 9am or after 5pm to avoid peak crowds. In the early morning, the town appears like an ink painting in the mist, while in the evening you can enjoy the sunset glow on the white walls and black tiles. Ticket information: Entry to the town streets is free, but some attractions require separate tickets. Small Lotus Garden & Jiaye Library: 25 yuan/person/time, Zhang Shiming's Former Residence: 20 yuan/person/time, Liu's Mansion: 20 yuan/person/time, Zhang Jingjiang's Former Residence: 20 yuan/person/time, Yi Garden: 10 yuan/person/time; All-inclusive classic ticket: 85 yuan/person/time. Free admission for seniors aged 80 and above, children under 1.2m, etc.; children, seniors, students, and visitors with 30-year teaching certificates can enjoy 50% off the listed price. Tickets can be purchased on major travel platforms or on-site. Transportation guide: Self-driving: Navigate directly to Nanxun Ancient Town. From Hangzhou, Shanghai and other places, it takes about 1.5 - 2 hours. There are multiple parking lots around the scenic area, making parking convenient. High-speed rail: First arrive at Huzhou Station, then take bus route 101 or 101B (night service) directly to Nanxun Ancient Town; alternatively, take a taxi, which takes about 40 minutes and costs around 100 yuan. Air travel: First arrive at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, then transfer to high-speed rail or coach to Huzhou, and then to Nanxun Ancient Town. Tour routes: Classic one-day tour: Enter from the South Gate and visit Small Lotus Garden in the morning. This private garden of Liu Yong, the foremost of Nanxun's "Four Elephants" in the late Qing Dynasty, is breathtakingly beautiful when lotus flowers bloom in May and rivals Suzhou gardens. Next, visit Jiaye Library, once China's largest private library in modern times. In the afternoon, head to Zhang Shiming's Former Residence to experience the Chinese-Western architectural charm of "Jiangnan's premier private residence." Then tour Liu's Mansion to appreciate the unique beauty of the "Red House" blended with Jiangnan courtyard aesthetics. In the evening, take a boat from Cross Wharf to Hundred-Room Building, strolling to enjoy the Ming and Qing dynasty buildings stretching along the canal. The white walls, black tiles, and their reflections form a Jiangnan ink painting. It's best to photograph early morning or evening to avoid crowds. Two-day in-depth tour: Follow the one-day tour route on the first day and stay overnight in a town guesthouse to experience the tranquil water town night. On the second morning, visit Yi Garden, a meticulously restored Pang family garden with an intricate layout and great value at just 10 yuan admission; then visit Zhang Jingjiang's Former Residence to learn about this extraordinary Republican-era figure. In the afternoon, consider visiting Shanlian Ancient Town to experience Huzhou brush culture, about 30 minutes from Nanxun Ancient Town by car or directly accessible via bus route 103B. Must-visit attractions: Hundred-Room Building: Ming and Qing dynasty buildings along the canal with white walls and black tiles reflected in the water, embodying Jiangnan charm. Fewer tourists in early morning and evening, perfect for beautiful photos. Small Lotus Garden: Features exquisite garden landscapes with lotus ponds, curved bridges, pavilions, and towers, forming a complete architectural complex with family temples and charity halls. A great place for photography and experiencing Jiangnan garden culture. Zhang Shiming's Former Residence: Combines Chinese courtyards with Western ballrooms, featuring exquisite door and window carvings and colorful glass, displaying luxury and showcasing the lifestyle of late Qing Dynasty tycoons. Liu's Mansion: A perfect example of Chinese-Western fusion, half traditional Chinese architecture and half Western Roman style. The red Western building contrasts with the Jiangnan courtyard, making it highly photogenic. Yi Garden: Small but exquisite, with pavilions, towers, artificial hills, and ponds arranged in perfect harmony. Though not large, it offers a new scene at every step, allowing visitors to experience the unique charm of Jiangnan gardens. Photography tips: Use architectural elements: Use ancient bridges, corridors, and horse-head walls as backgrounds, with people positioned at the one-third point of the frame for classic Chinese-style photos. Capture light and shadow: In early morning or evening when light is soft, use building shadows to create depth. Photograph reflections: Shoot by the river to capture both ancient buildings and their reflections in the water for more artistic images. Food recommendations: Shuangjiao Noodles: Famous for noodles topped with crispy pork and fried fish in rich broth with chewy noodles. Recommended at Zhuangyuan Restaurant. Xun Pork Trotters: Tender and flavorful pig's feet that are rich but not greasy. Available vacuum-packed to take away and recommended by celebrity chef Nicholas Tse. Sold at many shops along the streets. Dingsheng Cake: Traditional bean paste filling that's sweet but not cloying, with innovative flavors also available. Qiaomiao Workshop offers freshly made cakes with fresh taste. Three-Course Tea: Includes Fengxiao Tea, Smoked Bean Tea, and Clear Tea, with distinctive local flavors. Find a teahouse to sit and savor this experience. Accommodation suggestions: Guesthouses in the ancient town: Xunju Riverside Guesthouse at Hundred-Room Building offers waterside living with the sound of flowing water at night; Nanxun Tong'er Original Guesthouse has a family theme and includes green park tickets, suitable for families. Hotels outside the ancient town: Wanda Le Méridien Hotel is a four-star hotel, 10 minutes' walk to the scenic area, breakfast included; Vienna International Hotel offers affordable prices and is close to Zhengyi Square. Travel tips: Weather and clothing: April temperatures range from 6-25°C, light jackets recommended, bring umbrellas; wear comfortable sneakers as the ancient town has many stone paths. Avoiding crowds: The south area gets more tourists, prioritize visiting in the morning; the north area is less crowded in the afternoon, better for photography. Food choices: Some restaurants in the scenic area are expensive; traditional establishments like "Zhuangyuan Restaurant" and "Jiangxin Workshop" offer better value.