South Xun's Autumn Hidden Jiangnan Dream

🍁【Zhejiang · Nanxun Ancient Town Autumn Travel Guide】 The Last Riverside Moments of Jiangnan · A Quiet Ink Painting Suitable for: Families with children / Couples / Traveling with elders / Travelers who enjoy a quiet and artistic atmosphere Best travel time: October to mid-November (crisp autumn air, osmanthus fragrance, moderate tourists) --- 📍1. Destination Introduction: Why visit Nanxun in autumn? Nanxun is located in Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, situated on the Hangjiahu Plain. It is a famous historical and cultural town in China and one of the six ancient towns of Jiangnan. Compared to the bustling crowds of Wuzhen and Zhouzhuang, Nanxun is more like a "scholarly lady hidden in a deep chamber"— ✅ The old dreams of merchants remain, with unique Sino-Western blended architecture ✅ Small bridges, flowing water, and local residents’ lifestyle are rich in atmosphere ✅ Osmanthus fills the alleys in autumn, gingko leaves turn yellow, full of poetic charm > ✅ Special highlight: No need to get up early to grab the best spots, daytime strolls are not crowded, perfect for families to walk slowly, listen quietly, and savor carefully. --- 🚗2. How to get to Nanxun? (Complete transportation guide) ✈️ For long-distance travelers: - Fly to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport or Shanghai Hongqiao Airport - Transfer by high-speed train or bus to Huzhou/Jiaxing, then taxi about 40 minutes to Nanxun 🚆 High-speed train + bus (recommended combo): - Take the high-speed train to Huzhou Station (30 minutes from Hangzhou, 1 hour from Shanghai) - After exiting, take bus No. 161 directly to Nanxun Ancient Town East Gate (about 1 hour, fare 5 RMB) - Or taxi about 60 RMB (carpooling possible) 🚗 Self-driving: - Shanghai → Nanxun: about 1.5 hours (G50 Huyu Expressway) - Hangzhou → Nanxun: about 2 hours - Parking suggestion: Navigate to "Nanxun Ancient Town Underground Parking Lot" or "Renrui Plaza Parking Lot," fee about 10 RMB/day > 💡 Family tip: Motor vehicles are prohibited inside the ancient town; walking is the best way to explore, suitable for all ages. --- 🏡3. Accommodation Recommendations (by style) | Type | Reason to Recommend | Recommended Stays | |------|--------------------|------------------| | Riverside homestays | Window views of the river, hear oar sounds at night, most Jiangnan charm | Baijianlou · Hidden Nanxun, Huajiantang · Qiushuli | | Century-old house renovations | Stay in historic buildings, experience scholarly family life | Zhang’s Old Residence Art Hotel, Liu’s Ladder Inn | | Family-friendly | Provide children’s slippers, picture books, extra beds | Nanxun Shiyuan Jiangnan Homestay, Shiqi Mansion | | Cost-effective choice | Modern facilities, affordable prices, suitable for short stays | Home Inn Business, Hanting Nanxun Branch (outside ancient town) | > ✅ Tips: > - To capture early morning empty old streets, it’s recommended to stay in the Baijianlou area; > - Most homestays have no elevators, please arrange luggage assistance in advance. --- 🌆4. Top 6 Must-Visit Attractions (Autumn Exclusive Scenery) 1. Xiaolian Manor + Jiayetang Library - Private garden of Liu Yong, the leading figure of Nanxun’s late Qing “Four Elephants” - Autumn lotus pond with withered leaves and rain sounds, poetic and profound - Jiayetang is a famous private library in modern China, continuing cultural heritage > 📚 Family interaction: Join the "Little Librarian" activity to learn about ancient book restoration (some homestays offer booking) --- 2. Zhang Shiming Old Residence (Jiangnan’s First Sino-Western Blended Mansion) - Blue bricks and black tiles with French stained glass windows, English fireplaces, German floor heating system - Witness the glory of Nanxun silk merchants’ “comprador era” - Contains exquisite wood carvings, brick carvings, and stone carvings—the "three wonders" > 🎥 Photography tip: When sunlight slants, colored glass projects on the ground, creating a dreamy shot! --- 3. Liu’s Ladder (Red House) - Exterior walls of red fair-faced bricks, blending Roman columns and Baroque style - One of the rare European-style architectural complexes in Nanxun - Autumn maple leaves frame the red walls like an oil painting > 📸 Must-shoot spot: Reflection of the small bridge in front, combined with a passing black-awning boat --- 4. Baijianlou - The most lively riverside residential cluster in Nanxun - Built in the Ming Dynasty, stretches 400 meters, every household faces the water - Most beautiful in early morning mist or evening cooking smoke > 🛶 Experience suggestion: Take a hand-rowed black-awning boat through it, listen to the boatwoman sing Jiangnan folk tunes --- 5. Guanghui Palace & Stone Arch Bridge Group - Landmark in the town center, climb up to overlook the continuous rooftops of the town - Surrounded by many ancient bridges since the Song Dynasty: Tongjin Bridge, Hongji Bridge, etc. - Autumn sunset casts bridge shadows into the water, light and shadow mottled > 🧭 Recommended route: Walk from Tongjin Bridge to Guanghui Bridge, check in along the “Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns” water alleys --- 6. Jili Lake Silk Museum + Silk Guild Hall - Learn about the history of “Husi, the best silk in the world” - Watch traditional silk reeling demonstrations - Children can try the “silk reeling and cocoon peeling” game hands-on > 👔 Cultural extension: Nanxun became wealthy from silk, once controlling 75% of the world’s raw silk exports --- 🍽️5. Local Delicacies Not to Miss Nanxun cuisine belongs to northern Zhejiang style, slightly sweet and fresh, emphasizing original flavors, most dishes suitable for elders and children: | Food | Features | Recommended Restaurants | |------|----------|-------------------------| | Xunti (Nanxun Pig’s Trotter) | Nanxun’s signature! Rich sauce aroma, tender and falling off the bone | Old brand · Zhuangyuanlou, Wufulou | | Double Sauce Noodles | Pork chop + fried fish double sauce, rich soup and chewy noodles | Liu Xu Noodle House, Zhuangyuan Noodles | | Embroidered Brocade Vegetables | Local unique greens, tender and slightly sweet | Common at homestay breakfasts | | Dingsheng Cake / Osmanthus Cake | Handmade steamed, soft and sweet, kids’ favorite | Street stalls or teahouses | | Three-Cup Tea (Fengxiao Tea, Smoked Bean Tea, Clear Tea) | Nanxun hospitality custom, alternating salty and sweet, unique flavor | Experience at Baijianlou teahouse | > ✅ Warm reminder: Most restaurants support QR code ordering, can request less sugar and oil. --- 📅6. Recommended Itinerary (2 days 1 night, relaxed pace) Day 1: Arrival + Leisurely First Walk in Nanxun - Arrive in the afternoon, check in near Baijianlou homestay - Evening riverside stroll, watch lanterns light up - Dinner tasting Xunti + Double Sauce Noodles, listen to a segment of Pingtan performance (some teahouses offer) Day 2: Deep Cultural Day + Boat Ride to Enjoy Autumn - Morning: Xiaolian Manor → Jiayetang → Zhang Shiming Old Residence - After lunch: Liu’s Ladder → Baijianlou black-awning boat ride - Return before evening, or visit Huzhou’s Clothing Street on the way > ✅ Optional upgrades: > - Join a “Intangible Cultural Heritage Handcraft Class”: learn to make lake brushes, paint round fans > - Autumn exclusive: participate in the “Osmanthus Picking Festival” (held mid-October) --- 🧳7. Practical Tips (Family Exclusive) 1. Clothing suggestions: - Daytime: long sleeves + light jacket (temperature 15–22℃) - Night: add a knit sweater (riverside wind is strong) - Wear comfortable non-slip shoes (stone roads can be slippery) 2. For children: - Bring a “Ancient Town Treasure Hunt Map” task card (printable) - Download audio guide apps (e.g., “Museum in the Ear” Nanxun special) 3. Elderly care: - Attractions are concentrated and flat, wheelchairs can access most areas - Rest and have tea at teahouses at noon to avoid sun exposure 4. Ticket information: - Combined ticket 85 RMB/person (includes Xiaolian Manor, Jiayetang, Zhang Residence, Liu Residence, and 6 major attractions, valid for 2 days) - Children under 1.2 meters free, seniors over 70 free - No charge to enter the ancient town itself, tickets required only for attractions 5. Budget reference (family of 4, 2 days 1 night): - Transportation: about 1200 RMB (round-trip high-speed train + local taxis) - Accommodation: 600–1200 RMB (mid-to-high-end homestays) - Food + tickets: about 800 RMB - Total: about 2600–3200 RMB, very cost-effective! --- 🌟Give children a visible Jiangnan experience In Nanxun’s autumn, the whole family sits on a black-awning boat, listening to the oar sounds, watching elders drying soy sauce duck on the banks, children skipping rope on the bridge. No honking, no queues, only the real Jiangnan life flowing slowly. > “The most beautiful water town is not the one in photos, but when a child points at a dragonfly and says: ‘Mom, it landed on grandpa’s bamboo hat.’” --- 📌 Save this guide, bring your family, and spend a few “slow down” days in Nanxun this autumn.