Which is more fun in 2025, Wuzhen or Nanxun Ancient Town?

Wuzhen and Nanxun are both famous ancient towns in Zhejiang. Which one is more fun? If you have plenty of time and money, don't worry about it, visit both! They are both worth it! Wuzhen, the leading representative of Jiangnan water towns, has four sections: East, West, South, and North [East and West sections charge fees, South and North sections are free], as well as resorts like Wucun. Immerse yourself in the well-preserved local customs and traditions of the water town, experience the local culture, and enjoy the exquisite beauty and comprehensive facilities. It's a comfortable place for eating, drinking, and having fun! Nanxun is a sophisticated and vibrant blend of Chinese and Western garden-style ancient towns, boasting numerous ancient buildings and the essence of traditional Chinese culture. In the ancient town, you can experience the gentle and elegant atmosphere of Jiangnan water towns and appreciate the profoundness of traditional Chinese culture. To compare them, we can look at five aspects: First, price: Wuzhen: West Section: 150 yuan, East Section: 110 yuan [Combined ticket (East + West): 190 yuan], South and North sections are free, Wucun and other resort areas charge fees based on activities. Nanxun: Most areas are free. You can choose a combined ticket for small attractions for 75 yuan, or purchase individual attraction tickets for 10-20 yuan. Note that in 2025, both Wuzhen and Nanxun launched promotions offering free admission with hotel stays, almost simultaneously! Second, location: Wuzhen: Located at No. 18 Shifo South Road, Tongxiang City, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province. As a typical Jiangnan water town, Wuzhen has completely preserved the original style and layout of the water town from the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China period. With over 120 bridges remaining among its 30-plus ancient buildings, it is a true "bridge every hundred steps." Spending a day or two in Wuzhen during the Jiangnan plum rain season is a dream vacation for many. Nanxun Ancient Town: Located at No. 51 Renrui Road, Nanxun District, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, near Taihu Lake. With its unique historical status and cultural landscape, Nanxun Ancient Town has been awarded many honors, including "World Cultural Heritage Site," "National AAAAA-level Tourist Attraction," "China's Historic and Cultural Town," "China's Top Ten Charming Towns," and "Home of the World Expo Gold Award." In fact, Nanxun Ancient Town and Wuzhen are about 20 kilometers apart, a 30-minute drive. Third, duration of visit: Wuzhen: One day is enough for a highlights tour, mainly visiting the East and West sections. For a two-day trip, you can visit the South and North sections on the first day and the East and West sections on the second day. Nanxun: Including small attractions, one day is enough to visit the entire town. You can follow this route: South Gate - Xiaolianzhuang - Jiaye Library - Zhang Youming's Former Residence - Liu's Staircase - Shizi Wharf - Baijianlou - Zhang Jingjiang's Former Residence - Yiyuan Garden. Fourth, food recommendations: Wuzhen: Recommended dishes include Shusheng mutton noodles, sweet-scented osmanthus black rice pudding, wild vegetable wontons, Cong Bao Hui, preserved mustard greens sesame cakes, sweet-scented osmanthus rice cakes, shredded radish pancakes, Wuzhen chicken casserole, Mao Laotai stinky tofu, and stir-fried eel slices. Prices are relatively high, with standardized pricing and "NPC" style shops. Nanxun: Recommended dishes include lotus root starch sweet-scented osmanthus fermented glutinous rice, Xun Bing, Chen Wending, Maiji milk, lotus root starch cake, fried dough sticks wrapped in sticky rice, three-course tea, embroidered brocade, scrambled eggs with whitebait, and eel shreds. Prices are more affordable. In summary, if you prefer an ancient town atmosphere with less modern commercialization and have a strong interest in history and culture, Nanxun might be more suitable, and it tends to attract more seniors. If you prefer a mature commercial ancient town (commercialization is a double-edged sword, it might feel more commercial but also more convenient and hygienic), with more diverse, comprehensive, and richer offerings, and have a strong interest in humanities and arts, Wuzhen might be more appealing, currently attracting mostly young people. Therefore, you can choose according to your own preferences. Since the two ancient towns are not far apart, those with the means can visit both, as they are both worth the trip! So, do you know which is more fun, Wuzhen or Nanxun? Feel free to leave a comment and discuss!