Thought West Lake was already beautiful, until I came here…

Nanxun—this 5A ancient town hidden in northern Zhejiang is free from excessive noise, yet it hides the poetic charm of "small bridges, flowing water, and people’s homes" in every inch of its stone-paved streets. It is truly an underrated Jiangnan secret.

🚗 Latest transportation in 2025

🚆 Convenient direct high-speed rail: Huzhou Nanxun Station is now open. After exiting the station, take the direct shuttle to the scenic area for 10 minutes to reach the ancient town, saving nearly an hour compared to before.

🚘 Self-driving parking guide: Navigate to the South Gate parking lot, adjusted to 10 yuan/day in 2025, with plenty of spaces and closest to the core attractions; the East Gate parking lot near Baijian Building is recommended for night visitors.

🎫 Admission tips: The ancient town is open 24 hours a day with no entrance fee! However, key residences like Xiaolian Manor and Zhang Shiming’s Former Residence close at 5:00 PM, so it’s best to enter before 9:00 AM; after 7:00 PM some areas are free, making night visits very cost-effective.

⏳ Crowd-avoiding essential route (1-day full experience)

🌿 Morning: Visit the southern district (fewer people, great photos)

Enter from South Gate → Xiaolian Manor (private garden of late Qing’s richest man Liu Yong, with French-style Dongsheng Pavilion and Chinese lotus pond complementing each other) → Jiaye Library (carved doors and windows with the scent of ancient books, perfect for photos with a new Chinese style and scholarly vibe) → Zhang Shiming’s Former Residence (“Jiangnan’s No.1 Mansion,” famous for brick and stone carvings, a unique blend of Chinese and Western architecture) → Liu’s Ladder Number (“Red House” exterior is very photogenic, wood carving details worth savoring).

🌙 Afternoon: Explore the northern district’s charm (soul of the water town)

Cross-shaped Wharf → Yiyuan Garden (capture the lotus pond reflections at dusk, water ripples reflecting pavilions, every shot looks like an ink painting) → Zhang Jingjiang’s Former Residence (a mansion of a Republic of China tycoon, well-preserved furnishings offer a glimpse of past glories) → Baijian Building (Ming and Qing architecture along the riverbank, white walls, black tiles, and red lanterns make it Nanxun’s most photogenic landmark).

🚤 Boat tour guide: Unlock the water town view for 3 yuan

🌤 Best value daytime option: Water bus at Shizigang Wharf, 3 yuan/person, runs every 30 minutes, 10-minute one-way trip through the core waterway, close-up views of residents washing clothes and vegetables by the river, full of life.

🌙 New night tour: In 2025, electric boats added in the northern district, tickets at Zhang Jingjiang’s Former Residence dock, 30 yuan/adult, 10 yuan/child, 15-minute night cruise past Baijian Building, the lights flickering under the arch bridge are especially romantic; southern rowboat 50 yuan/person, with the boatwoman singing local folk tunes.

❗️ Notes: Daytime water bus tickets are sold on-site only; night tours can be booked via QR code, but queue early on holidays to avoid waiting over half an hour.

🍜 Local hidden food list

Must-try staples:

1️⃣ “Zhuangyuan Lou”: A longtime favorite among locals, the explosive fish double sauce noodles are a must, with soft-boiled egg and crispy tender fish, the broth is so fresh you’ll lick the bowl;

2️⃣ “Qianjia Lamb Noodles”: Autumn and winter special, lamb ribs tender and falling off the bone, soup sprinkled with scallions warms body and stomach;

3️⃣ “Shuijingjing’s Shop”: A rising popular spot, the double sauce noodles with crispy meat topping have excellent reputation.

Pastries and desserts:

4️⃣ “Wushilin Pastry Shop”: Hawthorn crisp is sweet and sour but not greasy, worth queuing for;

5️⃣ “Guanye Dessert Shop”: Generous servings of mango pomelo sago, perfect for an afternoon in the ancient town;

6️⃣ “Yuantaitang”: Freshly steamed Ding Sheng cake bursts with osmanthus filling, paired with smoked bean tea is a perfect match.

6️⃣ New style choice: “Xunwei Jiangnan” on Ditang Cultural Street offers a fusion of Chinese and Western ancient town flavors, dining by carved windows with river views.

💡 Hidden 2025 experiences

🕹 Off-the-beaten-path photo spots: Second-floor window seat at Chunlan Teahouse captures rowboats passing under bridges; west side of Yiyuan lotus pond at dusk offers double beauty of sunset sky and water reflections.

📸 Photography tips: Light is softest after 4:30 PM, the east bank of Baijian Building is a golden spot, use a telephoto lens to compress the scene and avoid scattered tourists; wearing Hanfu or new Chinese-style clothing pairs perfectly with the Red House and ancient stone bridges.

🍱 Souvenir guide: “Wild Water Chestnut” old brand’s Ding Sheng cake and tangerine red cake are must-buys; for southern jujube cake, choose the smallest portion to try without waste.

Here, no need to rush your itinerary. Just find a teahouse by the river, watch the 3-yuan water bus glide by slowly, listen to the rowboat’s oars startling water birds, and at night chase lanterns around Baijian Building—this is the slow pace Jiangnan should have.