Nanxun is a canal town in Huzhou built on wealth from the silk trade in the late Qing and early Republic period, and it is noticeably less crowded and less commercialised than Wuzhen, with fewer souvenir shops crowding the old lanes. Its distinguishing feature is a set of grand private residences and gardens built by silk merchant families, several of which mix traditional Chinese design with imported Western elements like stained glass and European furniture, reflecting the trade connections of the families who built them.
Nanxun Ancient Town lies about 90 km north of central Hangzhou in Nanxun District, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, reached in roughly 1.5 hours by a direct or connecting bus via Huzhou, or directly by private car or DiDi. Nanxun grew wealthy in the late Qing and Republican periods from the silk trade, and its old town blends traditional canal-side architecture with a number of Western-style mansions built by silk merchants who traded internationally, giving it a distinctive East-meets-West character among Jiangnan water towns. A morning visit typically covers the Xiaolianzhuang Garden, a merchant's estate with lotus ponds and a small library, and the Zhang family's Baijian Building, a long row of a hundred connected rooms along the canal. In the afternoon, visitors can walk to Liu's Family Mansion, which pairs a classical Chinese courtyard with a European-style ballroom and library, reflecting the silk merchants' international connections, before stopping for a meal of local Huzhou-style pork rice or Nanxun's smoked chicken. The town's canals can be explored by a short boat ride between the main sights, and because Nanxun draws fewer visitors than Wuzhen or Xitang, its lanes are generally quieter even on weekends. Spring and autumn bring the most comfortable walking weather, and a full day allows time to see both the traditional water-town core and the merchant mansions on its edges.
| Distance | 90 km (56 miles) north of central Hangzhou |
|---|---|
| Travel time | About 1.5 hours by bus or car |
| Getting there | Direct or connecting bus from Hangzhou to Nanxun via Huzhou, about 1.5 hours; a private car or DiDi covers the route directly |
| Cost | $$ |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Nanxun Ancient Town Scenic Area, Nanxun District, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province 313009 |
How to get there
- Bus via Huzhou: approx ¥40-55 (~$5.96-8.20) total
- Chartered car/DiDi round trip: approx ¥300-400 (~$44.71-59.61)
- Ancient town entrance ticket: approx ¥100-120 (~$14.90-17.88)
Location
Nanxun Ancient Town Scenic Area, Nanxun District, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province 313009
30.8580, 120.4890 View on map
Highlights
- Xiaolianzhuang Garden, a silk merchant's estate with lotus ponds
- Baijian Building, a hundred connected rooms along the canal
- Liu's Family Mansion blending Chinese courtyards with a European ballroom
- Canal boat rides between the main historic sites
- Local Huzhou-style pork rice and Nanxun smoked chicken
Tips for visiting
- Take a bus via Huzhou or a chartered car, since there is no direct high-speed rail stop in Nanxun itself
- Buy the combined scenic-area ticket at the entrance, which covers most of the merchant mansions
- Visit Liu's Family Mansion for the contrast between its Chinese and European-style rooms, a highlight distinct from other water towns
- Expect noticeably fewer crowds than Wuzhen or Xitang, even on weekends
- Allow a full day to combine the canal-side old town with the merchant mansions on its outskirts
When to visit
March through May and September through November provide the most comfortable temperatures for walking between the canal-side sights and merchant mansions.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Nanxun different from Wuzhen or Xitang?
Nanxun's wealth came from the international silk trade, leaving a mix of traditional water-town architecture and Western-style merchant mansions not found in the same combination elsewhere.
Is Nanxun less crowded than other water towns near Hangzhou?
Yes, Nanxun generally receives fewer visitors than Wuzhen or Xitang, making it a quieter option even during peak weekends.
Can visitors reach Nanxun by train?
There is no direct high-speed rail stop in Nanxun itself; a bus via Huzhou or a chartered car is the more practical option from Hangzhou.