Nestled just outside the bustling city of Huzhou lies Nanxun, a thousand‑year‑old water town often hailed as the “Venice of Asia”. Yet, surprisingly, it remains remarkably serene compared to other historic towns in eastern China and a world away from the chaos of the real Venice in Italy.
Nanxun’s waterways, stone bridges and timber homes recall its heyday during the Ming and Qing dynasties, when the town flourished as a prosperous silk hub. Once home to some of China’s wealthiest families, the town’s architecture blends Chinese and Western influences in residences and gardens that have been carefully preserved and are open for visitors to enjoy. Travel writers describe stepping into Nanxun as entering a bygone era.
“Had I not just walked through modern Nanxun’s gritty industrial center, you could’ve convinced me we were back in the Qing Dynasty, sometime during the zenith of the town’s silk trade,” wrote Sailingstone Travel.
They added that they paused beneath a covered walkway during rain and briefly felt like the only person there, only for locals across the canal to emerge, sweeping paths, hanging laundry, or simply enjoying a chat beside the water, a scene reminiscent of an old photograph.
Nanxun and its neighbouring cities are strategically located close to the Grand Canal, the incredible 1,118-mile man-made waterway that stretches from Beijing to Hangzhou.
When viewed from above, the 168-acre ancient town looks like a cross. Two waterways intersect at the town – the Shihe River from north to south and the Grand Canal from east to west. The town developed around these waters, with them becoming streets and boats used for transportation.
An impressive 15 old bridges remain from the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, including the largest, the historic stone arch of the Guanyin Bridge. The Guanghui Bridge, meanwhile, is backed by the Taoist temple Guanghui Palace, which was rebuilt in 1800.
Attractions such as Jieyatang Library, Xiao Lianzhuang “Little Lotus Villa” gardens and former residences of influential silk merchants like Zhang Shimin and Liu Tiqing are popular stops in this walkable, compact old town.
Despite its beauty and heritage, Nanxun is noticeably less crowded than its better‑known counterparts like Wuzhen or Zhouzhuang. Visitors can tour the historical sites for around 100 yuan (£11) and the town is easily reached by public bus from nearby cities like Hangzhou.
The best times to visit are spring and autumn, when the weather is mild, flowers bloom and seasonal festivals are held. Summer offers another lure: lotus blossoms at Xiao Lianzhuang can be especially picturesque.