Nanxun Ancient Town

Nanxun Ancient Town is about 95 km northwest of Hangzhou in Huzhou Prefecture, reached in 75-90 minutes by direct coach, or by train to Huzhou followed by a 30-minute taxi to the scenic area. Nanxun grew wealthy on the Jiangnan silk trade in the late Qing and early Republican eras, and its architecture reflects that history with a distinctive blend of traditional Chinese courtyard houses and Western-style villas built by silk merchants. A day trip typically begins at the Zhang family compound, Zhang Shiming's Former Residence, whose interior mixes Chinese woodwork with European stained glass and colonnades, before moving to the neighbouring Liu family's Xiaolianzhuang Garden, a classical private garden with lotus ponds and pavilions. Late morning is well spent walking along the Baijian Building, a long row of Qing-dynasty riverside houses, and crossing Tongjin Bridge, the town's largest stone arch bridge. Afternoon can include the Nanxun Cultural Hall or a canal boat ride past the old pawnshops and rice merchants' warehouses, followed by tea and local snacks such as Nanxun's stinky tofu and zhoucheng cake at a canal-side stall. Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) bring the mildest weather and clearest light for the mix of Chinese and Western architecture; arriving in the morning allows a full circuit of the merchant residences before the afternoon coach-tour crowds build.