Canals, Lanterns & Dawn Delights: A 4-Day Water Town Escape Through Nanxun, Wuzhen & Xitang

#springitinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Nanxun + Evening at Wuzhen
- Morning/Afternoon:
- Arrive at Nanxun Ancient Town via high-speed rail and check into a riverside homestay
- Take a Didi (taxi) to Wuzhen(~30 mins, ¥50–80). Focus on Wuzhen West Scenic Zone(ticket: ¥150) for its iconic canals, wooden houses, and night illuminations .
- Evening:
- Stroll Wuzhen’s lantern-lit alleys, chill at bar or restaurant with perfect river view
- Return to Nanxun by 9:30PM (last Didi ~¥80).

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Day 2: Full-Day Nanxun Exploration
- Sunrise (5:30–6:30 AM):
- Head to Baijianlou for misty riverside views—free and serene at dawn .
- Morning:
- Breakfast at Zhuangyuan Lou for crispy double-jiao noodles.
- Tour to Xiaolianzhuang (¥25): Lotus ponds and Qing-era gardens.
- Visit Zhang Shiming’s Old Residence ( ¥20): A blend of Chinese and European architecture .
- Afternoon:
- Lunch at Wushilin Cake Shopfor rose-paste dingsheng cakes.
- Take a ¥3 water bus from Shizi Wharf to explore the town from the canals .
- Night View*l:
- Dine at a riverside restaurant (try braised pork trotters)and photograph Baijianlou’s reflections under red lanterns .

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Day 3: Xitang Ancient Town (Free Entry Strategy)
- Early Morning (Before 8 AM):
- Take Didi to Xitang(~1 hour, ¥120–150). Enter for free (saving ¥102) and leave luggage at hotel.
- Daytime:
- Walk the Covered Corridors,cross Songzilai Feng Bridge and visit Niànci Temple .
- Lunch: Steamed whitebait with eggs at a local eatery.
- Night:
- Explore Bar Street with live music and neon lights. Stay overnight for sunrise.

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Day 4: Xitang Sunrise & Departure
- Sunrise (5:30 AM):
- Capture the misty canals from Yongning Bridge.
- Morning:
- Breakfast: Sticky rice pork dumplings from street vendors.
- Optional: Rent a hand-rowed boat (¥100/boat) for final views .
- Afternoon:
- Check out by noon. Take Didi to Jiashan South Station for high-speed rail departure to next station

🌹Key Tips:
1. Tickets:
- Nanxun old town’s main area is free; pay only for specific mansions (联票 ¥75 saves money) .
- Xitang is free before 8 AM/after 5 PM-plan arrivals accordingly .
2. Food:
- Nanxun: Three Teas (三道茶),Xitang: Braised pork belly (红烧肉)
3. Transport:
- Didi is reliable; book early for sunrise trips.
- Nanxun ↔ Wuzhen/Xitang: ~¥80–150 per ride, save a lots of time versus public transport!

This itinerary balances iconic sights, local flavors, and budget-friendly timing—perfect for photographers and culture lovers!