How to Visit Nanxun Water Town

In the Yangtze River Delta Area still exists Chinese ancient town life style – people live along the canals or rivers. These old towns are oft-lauded as water towns or canal towns featuring white-washed walls, black tiled roofs, old stone bridges over narrow canals, old-fashion wooden boasts, elegant mansions, beautiful gardens and weirdly shaped rocks.

There are some much visited water towns such as Zhouzhuang, Tongli, Wuzhen,etc. These popular water towns are very often swarmed with busloads of tourists, breaking serenity and peacefulness. Nanxun Old Town is comparatively less crowded and commercial, mainly due to its location and less promotion.

Nanxun Ancient Town was the most affluent among the water towns in Yangtze River Delta Area. Nanxun was once the silk production and trade center in the ancient China and home to many wealthy Chinese businessmen. These elite Chinese constructed many typical Chinese traditional buildings along rivers and canals with typical water town features. What sets it apart from other water towns is the interesting blend of European style and Chinese style architectures.

Influenced by the late 19th century boom in Shanghai and business connection with the world, western ideas and influence appeared in the affluent family circles at Nanxun. You will see some estates with a mix of western ballrooms and traditional Chinese architectures. Some wealthy businessmen’s house boast a classical portico and a red-brick residence with French balconies, French marble floors and stained glass in the windows. In addition to the elite families’ houses, you also can see the old houses for common people living in the canal towns.

Nanxun Water Town is effortlessly reached from Shanghai and Hangzhou by public buses. Under the administration of Huzhou City in Zhejiang Province, it is located 100 km to the southwest of Shanghai and 100 km northeast of Hangzhou.

Daily buses start from Hangzhou North Bus Station with one and half hours’ drive; from Shanghai South Bus Station, Shanghai Passenger Bus General Station and Shanghai Hongqiao West Bus Station also with one and hours’ drive. If you are planning your Shanghai tour or Hangzhou tour, you are highly recommended to have a side trip to Nanxun Ancient Town.

Nanxu Long-distance Bus Station is located by the National Highway 318, not far from the core of Nanxun Water Town.

Nanxun Bus Station enquiry phone number: 0572 – 3061139
Nanxun Water Town Entrance Fee: RMB100 ( Valid for one day)
Enquiry: 0572 – 3016999
Tourism Complain: 0572 – 3018585

Follow me to have a glimpse of the picturesque Nanxun Water Town.

Below is the panoramic view of Nanxun Ancient Town. With your entrance ticket, you are able to visit 8 pay attractions inside the water town.

Panoramic view of Nanxun Old Town
Panoramic view of Nanxun Old Town

Once inside the town, you are easily guided by the Chinese-English signs dotted all over the town with brief introduction.

Travel Signbaord in Nanxun Ancient Town
Travel Signbaord in Nanxun Ancient Town

This is Tongli Bridge, a stone bridge spanning the canal, a typical feature of a water town.

Tongli Bridge
Tongli Bridge

This is Xingfu Bridge, a flat stone bridge over the river, connecting the two streets – east and west. The canal was once used a water passage for transportation.

Xingfu Bridge
Xingfu Bridge

Guanghui Bridge, a stone half moon bridge

Guanghui Bridge
Guanghui Bridge

East-West Boundary Bridge

East-West Boundary Bridge
East-West Boundary Bridge

A boat is drifting on the canal

A boat is drifting on the canal
A boat is drifting on the canal

Pay RMB 240 for a half hour’s boating on the canal to experience the water town’s life.

boating on the canal
boating on the canal

White-washed walls and black-tiled roofs, typical of water town.

White-washed walls and black-tiled roofs, typical of water town
White-washed walls and black-tiled roofs, typical of water town

Walk along the white-washed wall building by the canal.

Walk along the white-washed wall building by the canal.
Walk along the white-washed wall building by the canal.

The French red-brick residence in Liu Family’s house

The French red-brick residence in Liu Family’s house
The French red-brick residence in Liu Family’s house

The traditional hall in Liu Family’ House

The traditional hall in Liu Family’ House
The traditional hall in Liu Family’ House

Zhang Family’s European Building

Zhang Family’s European Building
Zhang Family’s European Building

The traditional hall in Zhang Family’s house

The traditional hall in Zhang Family’s house
The traditional hall in Zhang Family’s house

Baijianlou, or the “100 room complex”. 100 common houses along this canal. These houses are still used by the local residents. The houses still keep their ancient, local charm.

Baijianlou – 100 room complex
Baijianlou – 100 room complex

The two-story wooden houses by the canal

The two-story wooden houses by the canal
The two-story wooden houses by the canal

Strolling along the narrow alleys by the canal is relaxing and unwinding. Sit down for a sip of tea or a bite of local snacks. street side restaurants and modern bars are nice outlets.

Take a break at a canal side food stall for a bite of local food.
Take a break at a canal side food stall for a bite of local food.

Many house hosts at Qilou buildings by the canal offer catering service for visitors.

Many house hosts at Qilou buildings by the canal offer catering service for visitors.
Many house hosts at Qilou buildings by the canal offer catering service for visitors.

More restaurants inside Qilou buildings along the canal.

More restaurants along the canal
More restaurants along the canal

Sticky tofu is a typical local snack

Sticky tofu is a typical local snack
Sticky tofu is a typical local snack

The exterior of Zhang Family Mansion by the canal

The exterior of Zhang Family Mansion by the canal
The exterior of Zhang Family Mansion by the canal

Add on

How to Visit Tongli Town

How to Visit Zhouzhuang

Tip:  Hassle-free China Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours,  here are some options for China guided tours:

Top China Private Tours
Top China Small Group Tours
Top China Train Tour
Top China Yangtze Cruise Tour
Top China Silk Road Tour

Further Readings


Top 10 Places to Visit in China
10 Fascinating Facts about China
How to Pack for your China Trip
Plugs and Sockets in China
China Tour Packages
Learning Useful Chinese Phrases for Travellers 
How to Recognise Chinese Currency

Top 10 Travel Experiences in China
10 Most Scenic Drives in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Mountains in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Lakes in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Grasslands in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Rivers in China
Top 10 most beautiful waterfalls in China
Top 10 Places to See Autumn Leaves in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Villages in China
Top 10 Old Towns in China
The 10 Most Beautiful Museums in China
Top 10 China Tourist Scams
Top 10 Souvenirs in China

Any questions, just drop a  line.

One thought on “How to Visit Nanxun Water Town

  1. Please advise me if there’s any public transport from zhouzhuang ancient town to nanxun ancient town?

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