Bookmark Nanxun Ancient Town, a 3-day 2-night firsthand guide to avoid 90% of the pitfalls
Just back from Nanxun, I was amazed by this “unconventional” ancient town! Unlike other water towns, it hides a bunch of luxurious mansions blending Chinese and Western styles, even the stone paths exude a “rich tycoon vibe”~ I’ve put together this super detailed guide, from morning mist shots to night scenes, uncovering all the hidden delicious spots for you!
🚗 Transportation (How to save the most time?)
- High-speed rail travelers: Take the high-speed train to "Huzhou Station," then a 15-minute taxi ride to the ancient town (about 30 RMB); if you find it expensive, take bus 101, which goes directly to the South Gate of the ancient town in 40 minutes (5 RMB, remember to have small change)
- Self-driving travelers: Navigate to "Nanxun Ancient Town South Gate Parking Lot," 10 RMB/day, park and walk 2 minutes to enter the town, much closer than the North Gate!
- Local transport: Walk inside the ancient town! But from Zhang Shiming’s Former Residence to Baijian Building is a bit far, you can take a “tutu car” (three-wheeler), bargain down to 10 RMB for the ride~
🏡 Accommodation (Choosing the right place saves 2 hours of travel)
- 💰 Best value choice: "Nanxun Story Homestay" (Baijian Building branch)
180 RMB/night for a river view room, open the window to see “waterside homes,” the owner gives homemade gorgon fruit cake in the morning, 10-minute walk to Zhang Shiming’s Former Residence
- ✨ Best atmosphere choice: "Huajiantang · Qiushu Li"
An old late Qing wealthy merchant’s residence transformed, the courtyard has century-old wisteria, sitting in the courtyard at night drinking tea and watching stars feels like traveling back to the Republic of China era! Peak season 500+ RMB, booking half a month in advance can save 100 RMB
- Pitfall reminder: Don’t stay at chain hotels outside the ancient town! You’ll lose the soul of “being woken up by the sound of oars in the morning” and have to get up early to rush in for morning mist shots
📝 3-day 2-night essential itinerary (Follow the “luxury route” for the real experience)
🌅 Day 1: The “Mansion Guide” of the richest man in late Qing
- 9:00 Xiaolian Manor
Head straight to the “Lotus Pond”! In summer, lotus leaves cover the sky, standing on the Nine-bend Bridge to shoot “red railings reflecting green,” wearing a qipao fits perfectly~ Don’t forget to visit the “Dongsheng Pavilion” in the backyard, the second-floor terrace offers a full view of the garden, where Miss Liu embroidered back then
- 11:00 Jiayetang Library
One of China’s three major private libraries! Focus on the plaque “Qinruo Jiaye” (inscribed by Puyi), the glass cabinets inside display ancient books from that era, sunlight through the flower windows shines on the pages like sprinkled gold dust
- 12:30 Eat Shuangjiao Noodles at Zhuangyuan Building
Must order “fried fish + crispy pork double topping”! The fried fish is first fried then stewed, the crispy pork is slightly sweet, mix the noodles with the red soup, and pair with a cup of “snow pear syrup” to cut the grease (8 RMB/cup, iced is super refreshing)
- 14:30 Zhang Shiming’s Former Residence
The top private residence in Jiangnan! At the entrance, see the “redwood floor-to-ceiling cover” (carved from 3 tons of redwood), then head straight to the “Western-style Ballroom” — the stained glass was imported from France, the floor tiles creak when stepped on (said to deter thieves), in the evening sunlight shines through the glass casting rainbows on the floor
- 17:00 Liu’s Ladder House (Red House)
Nicknamed the “Little Versailles Palace”! Red brick walls with Chinese flying eaves, photos look like Europe~ The rooftop terrace overlooks the ancient town, the 6 pm sunset dyes the walls golden red, every shot is a masterpiece
- 19:30 Baijian Building Night Scene
Don’t use flash! Lanterns by the river light up until 10 pm, warm light shines on white walls, reflecting in the water like a string of stars~ Recommended to walk from “Hedong” to “Hexi,” fewer people and peaceful, you can hear residents washing clothes by the river
🌞 Day 2: The “smoky atmosphere” hidden in alleys
- 7:30 Baijian Building Morning Mist
To capture a fairyland, get up early! Arrive before 7 am opposite “No. 63 Hexi,” morning mist drifts from the river to the eaves, white walls and gray tiles faintly visible, if lucky, you’ll see a rowing boat pass by (the boatman starts at 5 am, you can ask him to cooperate for photos)
- 9:00 Eat a bowl of “dry tossed noodles”
Locals often go to “Convenient Noodle Shop,” 10 RMB for a bowl of pickled vegetable and shredded pork dry tossed noodles, add a fried egg soaked in noodle soup, paired with “fried zongzi” from the next stall (sweet, 3 RMB each)
- 10:00 Stroll “Nandong Street” old shops
✅ “Wild Water Chestnut” for pastries: Ding Sheng Cake must be steamed fresh, rice fragrance mixed with sweet red bean paste; Tangerine Red Cake has a hint of mint, great as souvenirs (25 RMB/box, samples available)
✅ “Old Post Office” to send postcards: stamped with “Nanxun” postmark, slow delivery until this time next year, full of ritual
✅ “Chunlan Tea House” for tea: order a cup of “Anji White Tea” (38 RMB), sit on a bamboo chair by the river, watch rowing boats glide by, the boatwoman’s singing drifts far
- 14:00 Take the “Water Bus”
3 RMB/person! From “Silk Wharf” to “Lianjie Bridge,” a 20-minute leisurely drift on the river, more cost-effective than the 60 RMB/person rowing boat, and you can shoot old houses on both banks (sit on the right side for better views)
- 18:00 Eat “Xunti”
Go to “Louwailou” and order half a Xunti (58 RMB), sweet soy sauce stewed until the skin is tender and meat soft, with a bowl of rice you can eat two big mouthfuls! Also order “Embroidered Brocade Vegetables” (local wild greens, stir-fried 18 RMB), refreshing and cuts the grease
🌿 Day 3: Hidden gems + souvenir shopping
- Morning: “Guanghui Palace” for yellow wall shots, framed with the “Nanxun Hard to Find” large character wall opposite, full of ancient charm; “Zhang Jingjiang Former Residence” to see Republic of China history, his original letters supporting Sun Yat-sen’s revolution are truly impressive
- Noon: “Ding Lianfang” for Qianzhang Bao, vermicelli soup with chili oil, Qianzhang Bao skin is thin enough to see through, meat filling mixed with bamboo shoots is super fresh (15 RMB/bowl)
- Afternoon: Souvenir shopping! “Jili Lake Silk Shop” for real silk scarves (100-200 RMB, cheaper than outside the scenic area); “Rice Wine Shop” for a jar of osmanthus wine (50 RMB/jar, low alcohol and slightly sweet, great for women)
🍜 Food pros and cons (local insider version)
👍 Must-eat list
- Zhuangyuan Building: Shuangjiao Noodles (25 RMB), Xunti (whole 108 RMB, half portion available)
- Convenient Noodle Shop: Dry Tossed Noodles (10 RMB), Fried Zongzi (3 RMB)
- Wild Water Chestnut: Ding Sheng Cake (5 RMB/piece), Walnut Crisp (28 RMB/box)
- Riverside stalls: Osmanthus Sugar Porridge (8 RMB), sold in the evening, served in ceramic bowls by an old lady, very fragrant
👎 Pitfall warnings
- Don’t buy “Bamboo Tube Milk Tea” at the scenic area entrance! 38 RMB a cup, just ordinary milk tea in a bamboo tube, and it doesn’t taste good
- Don’t take rowing boats at the South Gate dock! 60 RMB/person non-negotiable, find private boats at Baijian Building for 40 RMB
- Don’t buy “silk quilts”! Unless you know your stuff, you might get synthetic fiber, better to buy small silk scarves
💡 Hidden Tips
1. Buy the “combo ticket” (100 RMB) covering 6 attractions, saves 40 RMB compared to single tickets, valid for 3 days with unlimited entries
2. Wear light-colored clothes for Baijian Building morning mist shots! White/cream looks better in the mist, dark colors look dull
3. Rainy days are very atmospheric! Bring a transparent umbrella, shoot “rain hitting green tiles” and “puddle reflections,” and there are fewer people
4. When asking locals for directions, don’t say “east, west, south, north”! Say “up and down” — for example, “walk down to the river” or “come up from the bridge side”
Nanxun is like a “Jiangnan wealthy family diary,” with the gentleness of small bridges and flowing water, and the grandeur of Chinese-Western fusion~ With this guide, you’ll definitely explore deeper than others! Bookmark it and set off this weekend~