Nanxun travel guide

Nanxun Town is located in Nanxun District, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, beside National Highway 318. It is 123 km east of Shanghai, 51 km north of Suzhou and 125 km south of Hangzhou. Although the Changhushen Waterway runs east to west through the town, Nanxun is reached mainly by road rather than by water, thanks to its well-developed road network.

Buses and minibuses run frequently every day between Nanxun and Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou.

Wuzhen lies on the west side of the Grand Canal. It is a town under Tongxiang, a county-level city administered by Jiaxing. It is 13 km from Tongxiang’s government seat in Wutong Town and 36 km from Jiaxing’s urban area.

Nanxun is more than 20 km from Wuzhen. Several minibuses run daily between Nanxun and Puyuan, stopping at Wuzhen. The fare is about ¥35.

To visit Wuzhen by long-distance coach, first go to Tongxiang Bus Station or Wuzhen Bus Station, then transfer to a local bus.

Shanghai/Hangzhou → Wuzhen: Express buses run direct from Shanghai South Bus Station and Hangzhou Jiubu Passenger Transport Centre.

Wuzhen → nearby cities: Express coaches run direct from Wuzhen Bus Station to Hangzhou, Shanghai, Nanjing and other cities.

From Shanghai, take the Shanghai–Hangzhou Expressway and exit at Tudian. Alternatively, take National Highway 320 to Tongxiang, then continue to Wuzhen via Tongxiang. The distance is about 140 km, roughly 2 hours.

Within Wuzhen, tricycles are the main form of transport, but walking is the best way to appreciate the beauty of the water town. Free shuttle buses run between the East and West Zha scenic areas. Board at the service centre beside East and West Zha.

Xitang is an ancient town under the jurisdiction of Jiashan County in Jiaxing, Zhejiang. Because Jiashan is connected to the outside world by rail and road, it is the gateway to Xitang.

Passenger trains run from Jiashan every day to Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanchang, Wuhan, Huaihua, Pingxiang, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou and Qiqihar, among other cities. The fastest high-speed train from Shanghai to Jiashan takes just 23 minutes, and the trip from Hangzhou to Jiashan takes about half an hour. From Jiashan, it is very convenient to transfer to a shuttle bus that runs direct to Xitang.

Xitang is 90 km from Shanghai, 100 km from Hangzhou and 80 km from Suzhou. The newly built Shanjiang First-Class Road cuts across Xitang Town and links it with National Highways 320 and 318, the Shanghai–Hangzhou Expressway and the Shanghai–Hangzhou Railway. These road links radiate in every direction, making Xitang even easier to reach.

Buses to Xitang depart from Hangzhou Passenger Transport Centre at 8:30 and 13:40. Fare: ¥60.

Although some buses run directly from Shanghai and other cities to Xitang, they are infrequent and more expensive. It is recommended to take a bus to Jiashan first, then transfer to a bus from Jiashan to Xitang, which runs very frequently.

Because Jiashan is Xitang’s gateway, the local transport information here focuses on travel between Jiashan and Xitang. Tricycles are plentiful and charge a flat fare of ¥3. Within the town, walking is an option.

Jiashan and Xitang are about 18 km apart. A minibus departs from near Jiashan Railway Station every half hour for Xitang. The fare is ¥4 and the journey takes 20 minutes. The last bus back from Xitang to Jiashan leaves at 18:00.

The starting fare is ¥5 for the first 2.3 km. A taxi from Jiashan to Xitang costs around ¥50.

Drivers can take the Shanghai–Hangzhou Expressway and exit at Jiashan or Dayun. At the Jiashan crossroads, follow the Xitang signs and drive north for 15 minutes. Alternatively, take National Highway 320 to the Jiashan crossroads, follow the Xitang signs and drive north for 15 minutes.

Tom Cruise’s leaps and dashes among the whitewashed walls and black-tiled roofs, and his sprint through the misty corridors, brought Xitang’s scenery to audiences around the world in Mission: Impossible III.

Xitang is beautiful at night. Red lanterns line the riverbanks and sway in the breeze, creating a special atmosphere after dark. You can also take a night boat tour for ¥30 per person or ¥150 per boat (up to 8 people).

The last bus back from Xitang to Jiashan leaves at 18:00. If you miss it, don’t worry. You can usually find a taxi back to Jiashan before 20:00 or 21:00, and it is inexpensive at ¥15 per person.

Freshwater fish and bamboo shoots are the two signature delicacies of Nanxun and not to be missed. Bamboo shoots in particular, though unassuming, are considered a fine delicacy locally, prepared with such refined techniques and in so many ways that they can be dazzling. Of course, what matters most is that they taste good.

Nanxun's orange-red cake and snow dumplings are well worth trying. Also, Ding Lianfang Qianzhang Baozi (dried tofu skin buns; next to Shidai Supermarket, directly opposite Aux Hotel) is a must-try, especially for its chilli sauce and broth, which are truly outstanding.

In the water towns, you often hear the expression “pí bāo shuǐ” (皮包水), literally “skin wrapping water.” It doesn't refer to an abundance of water, but to the locals' fondness for tea and for lingering in teahouses.

Like restaurants, teahouses come in different grades. The teahouses in the Zhongshi district, such as Fanglu Pavilion, Sanyi Lou, Changchun Lou, Mingyue Lou and Tianyun Lou, are higher-end. The small teahouses scattered across the four small lanes (xiaozha) to the east, south, west and north are frequented by farmers from the countryside who come to trade, and who sip tea while tending to their small businesses. As a visitor, you may as well try both kinds, as the atmosphere you experience at each is completely different.

Meat-stuffed crucian carp, red-braised eel, wonton duck, steamed white silverfish, pond carp and hairy crab: from these dish names alone you can tell this is classic water-town cuisine. The dishes are fresh and delicious, and the local snacks are no less impressive, including Bazhen cake, thousand-layer pancakes and shui doufu (water tofu), which work equally well as drinking snacks or desserts.

1. The Ah Niu steamed pork beside Shipi Lane, under Huanxiu Bridge, is the most famous. It costs ¥4 a piece, and its subtle lotus-leaf fragrance cuts through the greasiness.

2. Opposite Shengtang, an elderly couple run a branch of Ah Niu steamed pork, and their version really does taste different.

Nanxun is a small town, and all its hotels and guesthouses combined number fewer than 10. That is still plenty, so you won't need to worry about finding a place to stay.

Xitang and Wuzhen are not far apart, so the two ancient towns are usually visited together. Many people go to Wuzhen first and then head to Xitang to spend the night, since Xitang is especially beautiful in the morning and evening. Tongxiang city also has standard hotels and inns, so staying there is convenient too. In the West Street scenic area of Wuzhen, the hotels and guesthouses are under unified management. The East Street scenic area has no formal inns, only guesthouses run by local residents.

Xitang's old street has many private guesthouses, so you can usually find a room even without booking. However, it's best to book a standard room in advance, because weekends are busy and the better rooms are often fully reserved. Local rates: weekend standard room ¥120, basic room ¥80; weekday standard room ¥100, basic room ¥60.

In the old days, Nanxun grew rich on silk production, so the top local specialty to look for is Jili silk. Huzhou brushes, named after the city of Huzhou, have also long enjoyed a high reputation among the Four Treasures of the Study. Nanxun's embroidery and knitwear are model examples across the Jiangnan region, and its bamboo crafts are equally fine, so you won't leave Nanxun empty-handed.

The best place to shop is at the outlets along East Street. These were once the retail shops of a local food factory. The goods are fresh and inexpensive, and it's where locals buy their own.

You can find Gusao cakes, Hangzhou white chrysanthemum, Sanzhenzhai braised duck, Wuzhen lamb, smoked bean tea, Sanbai liquor and more almost everywhere in Wuzhen. Among these, Gusao cakes, Hangzhou white chrysanthemum and blue calico are the town's most famous specialties.

“Liuyuehong” river crabs, mung bean crisps, Bazhen cakes, Jiashan yellow wine and Shanniang rice wine. The local specialties here are endless, so it all depends on your personal taste.

Besides local specialties, shopping in Xitang also offers down-to-earth handicrafts such as blue calico, frog closures (pankou), Chinese knots and ethnic accessories.