Nanxun Water Town

Introducing Nanxun Water Town
With a history of over 1,400 years, Nanxun Water Town came to prominence during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279) due to its prospering silk industry. In the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), it was one of the important commercial centers. Nanxun Water Town shares the typical features of other southern water towns: arched bridges, canals, narrow lanes, and old houses. However, it is one of the relatively least visited and less commercialized water towns.

Nanxun Water Town Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Nanxun Guzhen 南浔古镇
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 2 to 3 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Architecture, History and Culture, Cruise
• Opening Hours: 08:00-17:00 from Apr to Oct; 08:00-16:30 from Nov to Mar
• Entrance Fee: ¥95/person
• Address: No. 18, Shiyuan Road, Nanxun District, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province

What to expect at Nanxun Water Town

Nanxun Water Town was once the richest of the ancient water towns, thanks to its silk production industry, which continues there to this day. Mulberry trees, whose leaves serve as food for silkworms, can be seen throughout Nanxun, a reminder of its past prominence in the silk trade. Today Nanxun Water Town echoes the quaint Chinese water town seen in centuries-old paintings, without hordes of tourists to take away from your authentic experience. You’ll also see hints of Western culture from the town’s days as a silk and salt hub, garnering Nanxun’s Changhushen Channel the nickname the Oriental Rhine.

Key places to visit in Nanxun Water Town include the Little Lotus Garden (Xiao Lian Zhuang), Jiaye Library Hall, the Mansion of 100 Rooms, and the former residence of Zhang Shiming.

The Little Lotus Garden was built as a private property, belonging to Liu Yong, a wealthy merchant and government official. The outer garden, with its nearly 10 acres of lotus pools, is especially colorful in the summer when the lotus flowers are in bloom. The inner garden’s walls are decorated with paintings, calligraphy and other historic décor. It is an idyllic place to visit, with its pavilions, stone arches, rocks, bamboo and water.

The Jiaye Library was built as a private library in 1920, where owner Liu Chenggan (grandson of Liu Yong) housed more than 600,000 historic books and rare documents.

The Mansion of One Hundred Rooms (or One-Hundred Residential Houses) is actually a serious of interconnected residential buildings constructed in the Ming Dynasty. These buildings run along the river and are connected by archways.

Finally, the former residence of the wealthy businessman Zhang Shiming, who brought much western culture to Nanxun, was built at the turn of the 20th Century and features numerous chambers (salons, halls, studies, and bedrooms), each with a different architectural style. Intricate wood details, glass brought in from France, stone carvings and more make it an exquisite place to visit.

In addition to the buildings and cultural relics of Nanxun Water Town, the cuisine is not to be missed. Fresh fish, chestnut cakes, and Taihu crab and shrimp are local delicacies worth trying.

How to get to Nanxun Water Town

From Suzhou
• Take a direct bus from Suzhou North Bus Station or the north square of Suzhou Railway Station to the town.

From Shanghai
• Take a direct bus from Intercity Bus Terminal, Hongqiao West Long-distance Bus Station, South Long-distance Bus Station, East Long-distance Bus Station or Pudong Airport Long-distance Bus Station to the town.

From Hangzhou
• Take a direct bus from Passenger Transport Central Station or Hangzhou North Bus Station to the town.

Additional travel advice on Nanxun Water Town
• Please take are when taking a river cruise. Boating price (1-8 people per boat): Little Lotus Garden to Guanghui Palace – ¥160/boat; Little Lotus Garden to/from Lounge Bridge – ¥280/boat for one trip; ¥380/boat for round trip. 
• Visitors can enjoy interesting folk performances at the town.
• Visitor who wants to experience the Water Village Wedding should register at Tourism Center and wear traditional wedding dress during the whole ceremony. Please remember to return the wedding dress to the office at Yide Plaza in time.