If you think that among the ancient towns in the south of the Yangtze River, there are only Wuzhen and Zhouzhuang where people are crowded with each other, then you have suffered a huge loss. In a place two hours' drive from Shanghai, there is such a Nanxun, which can truly allow you to experience the grandeur of a wealthy family and the fireworks of the city at the same time. The key is that it still retains its original appearance that has not been overly commercialized.
Traffic guide to avoid getting lost
The most convenient way to get to Nanxun is to take the high-speed rail to Huzhou Station. After exiting the high-speed rail station, take bus No. 101 directly to Tai'an Road Station. This journey takes about an hour. After arriving at Tai'an Road Station, take a taxi and you can reach the entrance of the ancient town in ten minutes. The entire trip will cost no more than 20 yuan.
For friends from Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou, the situation will be simpler. There are direct buses to Nanxun from the three major stations every day. It takes about two hours from Shanghai and one and a half hours from Hangzhou, and the ticket price is only 40 to 50 yuan. If you choose to drive by yourself, there are quite a few parking spaces around the ancient town. Parking in the South Gate Parking Lot only charges ten yuan a day, which is much cheaper than in the urban area.
How to choose the best accommodation
Friends who are not short of funds in their financial situation should definitely try high-quality hotels that have been renovated from ancient residences that have been built for hundreds of years. Staying in them is like living in items with historical and cultural collection value. Opening the window reveals the view of a small bridge and flowing water. The stone slabs under your feet are hundreds of years old. This kind of personal experience cannot be found in luxury five-star hotels outside.
If you want to experience the real water town life, it is recommended to choose a special B&B run by locals. The price is two to three hundred per night, and the boss will tell you which noodle restaurant is the most authentic, which corner is the most beautiful to take pictures, and you can also chat with the neighbor's grandma. This is the real Jiangnan fireworks.
Must-visit and niche secret places
There is a place called Xiaolianzhuang, which was the private garden owned by Liu Yong, who was called the richest man in the late Qing Dynasty. In summer, when the lotus flowers are in full bloom, the entire pond exudes fragrance. The pavilions and pavilions on the rockery are arranged in an orderly and layered manner. Next to it is a building called Zhang Shiming's old residence. It has Baroque-style carved glass and French floor tiles. It is really unimaginable that something like this appeared in the Jiangnan region more than a hundred years ago. It is beyond the ordinary and hard to believe.
If you are looking for a quiet place, you can go to Yingyuan, which is hidden in the south of the ancient town and is rarely known by people. Every afternoon, there are local elders drinking tea and playing chess there. You can sit quietly on the porch all afternoon and listen to their conversation in Wu Nong soft dialect. The Silk Industry Guild Hall is also very quiet, and here we can have an insight into the past when Nanxun's wealth was dominated by the Jilihu silk.
Be sure to go to Baijianlou in the early morning or near evening, when the tour group has not yet arrived or has already left. The sun shines obliquely on the 400-meter-long Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, and the stone-paved road shines with shining golden light. Any shot can produce a very beautiful picture without the need for filters.
How to buy tickets cost-effectively
The combined ticket costs 85 yuan, which allows you to visit five major attractions, including Xiaolianzhuang and Zhangzhai. It is half the price compared to buying it individually. However, if you just want to wander around the ancient town, you can enter for free after 5 pm, and you can feel the atmosphere created by the small bridges and flowing water without spending a penny.
For certain paid attractions, it is recommended to go there selectively, such as the Liu's Ladder, which costs 20 yuan for admission. The red brick European-style buildings contained in it are relatively rare in the Jiangnan ancient town. For those traveling with the elderly and children, it is recommended to purchase a combined ticket to avoid the hassle of traveling back and forth.
What do the locals eat?
The well-known old restaurant recommends Zhuangyuanlou's Shuangjiao Noodles. The combination of crispy meat and fried fish is absolutely perfect. The soup has the texture of fresh and delicious noodles, and it only costs 18 yuan for a big bowl. The Yuantai Hotel next door makes the best Xun Ho. The soy sauce is so rich that it melts in your mouth. Just half of it is enough for three people.
For snacks, you have to look for the Dingsheng cake sold by the roadside grandma. It is freshly made and warm. The bean paste filling is sweet but not overly sweet. It sells for ten yuan a box. There is also stinky tofu on the roadside, which costs five yuan a portion. It is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside and comes with sweet noodle sauce. It is much more delicious than the food sold in the exquisitely decorated shops in the scenic area.
What to bring as souvenirs
Shanlianhu pens, known as national intangible cultural heritage, range from pens priced at 30 yuan for calligraphy practice to pens priced at 200 yuan for fine crafts as gifts. They are made by Wang Yipinzhai Pen Shop with hundreds of years of business history. Buying them back and giving them to others has a very humane effect. Silk scarves made from Jilihu silk, priced starting at 150 yuan, are soft and smooth to the touch, and will definitely be loved by the elders!
If time is tight, then buy a few boxes of Dingsheng cakes from a pastry shop. They cost ten yuan a box, which means good luck. Or you can bring some local smoked bean tea, which costs 20 yuan a bag, and brew a cup at home to savor the unique taste of Nanxun.
When it comes to visiting ancient towns, do you prefer the commercial scene or the original tranquility? Tell us your views in the comment area, like and share it so that more people can discover this treasured ancient town.
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