Ask a Question
Nanxun District, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
One of the most famous water towns in China
Nanxun Water Town is sited in the center of the urban agglomeration of China's Yangtze River Delta, southern shore of Taihu Lake. It happens to be the eastern gate of Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province to Shanghai. The town has an area of 141.3 square kilometers, including the ancient township of 2 square kilometers. The total population of it is 137400.
Nanxun, meaning "South of the Xun River", is famous for it silk production. The fortune of Nanxun stemmed mostly from its silk. The production of silk in ancient China was generally cottage industry that was run by the females of the village. Every family in the village tended the silkworms and harvested the silk thread from the silkworm cocoons. The marerial of the silk is made from the silkworm's cocoons.
Near Hangzhou and Suzhou: Nanxun Ancient Town is about 40 minutes’ drive from Hangzhou and Suzhou, 1 hour’s drive from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, which is easily accessible from Hangzhou, Shanghai and Suzhou.
Less Commercialized: Unlike more commercialized water towns like Wuzhen or Zhouzhuang, Nanxun remains relatively less touristy, offering a more peaceful and genuine experience of Jiangnan(south of Yangtze River) culture.
Cultural Significance: Nanxun was once a hub for silk production and literature. Many scholars, businessmen, and politicians emerged from the town.
Authentic Ancient Water Town: Nanxun Ancient Town preserves a genuine atmosphere of an ancient water town with stone bridges, canals and willow-lined walkways.
Peaceful Atmosphere: With less crowds and authentic typical ancient water town in Jiangnan, Nanxun Ancient Town provides peaceful and silent atmosphere for you.
The history of Nanxun Water Town could date back to the 9th century during the Tang Dynasty. At that time, the town was called Xunxi. Some of famous stone arched bridge in Nanxun, including its most famous currently existing bridge, Tong Jin Qiao, was built.
In the Song dynasty, the planting of mulberry and the silk production became popular in this small town. The people in the village made a living by raising the silkworms and producing the silk. However, from Tang to Song Dynasty, the center of silk production in China was sited in Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, at the northeastern shore of Tai Lake. But by the end of Yuan Dynasty, the heartland transferred to Nanxun, which made this small town known to the world.
Silk production achieved its peak in Nanxun during the Ming Dynasty. In this time, the technology of raising the silkworms and producing of silk improved a lot. You could the mulberry trees everywhere. And the villagers became wealthy by selling the silk.
When it came to Qing Dynasty, Nanxun became an important the silk trade hub, and the raw silk export trade ranked pivotal position in the country. More than six tenths of the villagers in the town worked on the silk industry. The silk shops totaled 56 in the peak time. Among 91 silk shops in Shanghai, 70% of them were open by Nanxun people.
Take A Boat on the River
Taking a boat is a good way to explore the Nanxun Ancient Town. Yaolu Boat(摇橹船) is a characteristic boat in water towns of Jiangnan(souther of the Yangtze River). You can choose to take Yaolu boats or other kinds of boats at Nanxun Ancient Town. And there are boats both at day and night at Nanxun Ancient Town. Taking the boat on the river of Nanxun Ancient Town, you can experience the life of the local people in the past.
Taste Characteristic and Delicious Foods
At Nanxun Ancient Town, you can taste the characteristic local foods of Nanxun as well as taste popular foods and drinks preferred by the young people. You can taste traditional noodles and Dingsheng cakes. You can also taste milk tea, coffees, yogurts and hot pots. There are also sushi restaurants, barbecues, western restaurants and Korean cuisines at Nanxun Ancient Town. There are many choices for you for foods here.
Stay in Nanxun Ancient Town for A Night
If you have time, it is recommended that you stay in Nanxun Ancient Town for a night to experience the life of the Jiangnan water towns. With peaceful atmosphere, Nanxun Ancient Town is worth staying. At night, you can stroll around at the water town to enjoy the night view of the town.
Xiao Lian Zhuang (Little Lotus Garden)
Xiao Lian Zhuang used to be the private garden of Liu Yong, a government official and merchant in Qing Dyanasty. The total area of it is 17399 square meters, of which lotus pool is 5267 square meters, and the construction area 3809 square meters. It is divided into two parts: the outer garden and the inner garden. The outer garden is centered by the lotus pool, while the inner garden is centered by the rockery group with stones coming from Tai Lake. The whole garden has the conception of fine quality.
The lotus flowers in the pond boom in the summer, making colorful and magical scenery in the garden. Xiao Lian Zhuang is regarded as the best private garden in Nanxin, which may have something to do with that it was built by the former richest inhabitant in the town. The walls inside the garden are decorated with paintings, plaques and stelae that are the handiwork of a famous calligrapher.
Jiaye Library Hall
Jiaye Library Hall was a private library constructed by Liu Chenggan in around 1920. The book collection and documents totaled 600,000. the possession of Song and Yuan books reaches 155 kinks. The library is not only famous for its collection of ancient books, but also with renowned woodblock printed books at home.
Former Residence of Zhang Shiming
The former residence of Zhangshiming was built during 1889-1906, by a wealth businessman who brought many foreign luxury goods from western countries to the villagers in Nanxun. The residence has numerous rooms, including salons, halls, studies and bedrooms. Every chamber owns it special style, with its arched window frames, countless wood-and-brick carving and the unique gothic style tracery.
Former Residence of Zhang Shiming(张石铭旧居) is known as the first residential building in the south of the Yangtze River. It is a classic building with a combination of Chinese and Western elements. It was built in 1905 and is a century-old house. At the Former Residence of Zhang Shiming, you can see the typical traditional architectural pattern in the south of the Yangtze River and architectural style of western European buildings in the French Renaissance.
Mansion of Hundred Rooms (Baijian Lou)
There were about one hundred rooms when the building was originally built. That is why it was named Mansion of One Hundred Room. The building is a series of interconnected, one- and two- storey tenement dwellings. It is by far the most complete residential community along the river with traditional style. It could date back over 400 years ago. The length of it is 400 hundred meters. The Hundred Buildings not only maintains the architectural style of Ming Dynasty, but also has the architectural charm of Qing Dynasty. It is a residential building complex with typical Jiangnan water town.
Red House
The Red House is a typical work combining Chinese and western civilizations and arts. The house is brick red, which is rare in the ancient towns in the south of the Yangtze River in Ming and Qing Dynasties. The Red House belongs to Liu’s Family. Many houses in Nanxun Ancient Town belong to the Liu’s clan, but only the color of this building is so different.
Yiyuan Garden
Yiyuan Garden is thought to be the most beautiful garden in Nanxun Ancient Town. It is the private garden of Pang’s family, one of the four largest and most famous families in Nanxun, which is one of the representative works of modern gardens in China. Yiyuan Garden was founded inQing Dynasty(1899), and was destroyed in 1930s. Now the Yiyuan Garden we see is the restored version. Yiyuan Garden inherits the traditional Jiangnan garden construction style, and integrates modern technology and regional characteristics of Nanxun gardens.
The four seasons of Nanxun is suitable for traveling, the spring and autumn is the best traveling time. You can appreciate the blooms and attractive green willows in spring.
The best time to visit Nanxun Ancient Town is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). These seasons offer the most pleasant weather, beautiful scenery, and fewer crowds compared to major holidays.
Nanxun Ancient Town is easily accessible from Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou. You can take high-speed train to Huzhou Nanxun Railway Station, then take taxi to Nanxun Ancient Town. And Top China Travel also can help you plan your tour in Nanxun and your trip in China. You can contact us to create your unique journey in China.
From on request
From on request
We are member of
Follow us on
