Jiangnan Dream: The Chinese Lake Brush Capital Nanxun and the Misty West Tang Town.
Dear friends, have you ever dreamed countless times of experiencing a poetic and picturesque Jiangnan journey by the gentle flowing waters? Today, join me to explore the two stunning ancient Jiangnan towns, Nanxun and West Tang, and embark on a dreamy trip full of poetry and romance✨!
Preparation🎒
● Documents: ID card, student ID (if any), some attractions offer student discounts.
● Clothing: Prepare according to the travel season. In spring and autumn, bring a light jacket as temperatures vary between morning and evening; in summer, take sun protection and wear light, breathable clothes; in winter, wear thick cotton clothes, scarves, gloves, and other warm items.
● Items: Umbrella (Jiangnan is rainy), power bank, camera (to capture beautiful moments), comfortable shoes (for strolling through ancient towns).
● Medicine: Common medicines such as cold medicine, stomach medicine, motion sickness pills, etc.
Transportation Guide🚗
To Nanxun
● By plane: Fly to Shanghai Hongqiao or Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport first, then transfer by bus or high-speed train to Huzhou, and take a bus to Nanxun Ancient Town.
● By high-speed train: Arrive at Huzhou Station, then take a direct bus to Nanxun.
● By long-distance bus: Many cities have direct long-distance buses to Nanxun.
To West Tang
● By plane: Similarly, fly to Shanghai or Hangzhou Airport first, then transfer to Jiashan by transport, and take a bus to West Tang.
● By high-speed train: Arrive at Jiashan South Station, with a direct bus line to West Tang.
● By long-distance bus: Many cities have direct buses to West Tang.
Between Nanxun and West Tang
Take a bus from Nanxun to Huzhou Bus Station, then transfer to a bus to Jiashan, and finally head to West Tang.
Attraction Guide🌟
Nanxun
● Xiaolian Villa: The private garden of Liu Yong, the leader of Nanxun’s "Four Elephants" in the late Qing Dynasty, perfectly blending gardens and Western architecture. When the lotus flowers bloom, the pond is full of beautiful lotuses, as if stepping into a Jiangnan ink painting🖼️.
● Zhang Shiming Former Residence: Known as the "Number One Residence in Jiangnan," it is a classic blend of Chinese and Western architecture. The exquisite wood carvings, brick carvings, stone carvings, and many imported glass pieces from France inside are astonishing🤩.
● Baijian Building: Built winding along the river, with over a hundred rooms, it is one of the best-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty riverside residential complexes in Jiangnan. Strolling by the river in the early morning, feeling the lively atmosphere of the water town families, is very pleasant🌅.
West Tang
● Misty Rain Corridor: One of West Tang’s most unique sights, built along the riverbank, nearly a thousand meters long. Walking under the corridor, you can shelter from wind and rain while enjoying the beautiful scenery on both sides of the river, as if traveling back to ancient times🥰.
● Shipi Alley: The narrowest part is only 0.8 meters wide, making it the longest alley in West Tang’s ancient street. Walking through the alley, you can almost hear the footsteps of history, giving a special mysterious feeling🕵️♂️.
● West Garden: The Zhu family’s private residence from the Ming Dynasty, with flowers, trees, pavilions, and towers, offering a quiet environment. Here you can feel the delicacy and elegance of Jiangnan gardens🎋.
Food Recommendations😋
Nanxun
● Xunti: Bright red in color, soft and glutinous in texture, rich but not greasy, it is Nanxun’s signature dish and a must-try.
● Dingsheng Cake: Small and cute in appearance, soft and glutinous in texture, sweet but not greasy, with a faint osmanthus fragrance, a great souvenir.
● Shuangjiao Noodles: Chewy noodles with rich toppings like fried fish and braised duck, delicious in flavor.
West Tang
● Euryale Seed Cake: Available in various flavors such as osmanthus and walnut, soft and glutinous, sweet and tasty, a specialty pastry of West Tang.
● Cicada Skin Dumplings: Soft outer skin with delicious filling, a traditional favorite food of West Tang locals.
● Songzi Longti: Tender meat with a fragrant aroma, said to carry auspicious meanings.
Accommodation Suggestions🏨
Nanxun
● You can choose to stay in a guesthouse inside the ancient town to better experience the tranquility and leisure of the water town. At night, you can also enjoy the night view of the ancient town.
West Tang
● The inns inside the ancient town are very characteristic, located by the water, and you can see the flowing water as soon as you open the window in the morning. However, book in advance during holidays.
Itinerary📅
Three-day Tour
● Day 1: Nanxun
○ Morning: Arrive in Nanxun, check in, then visit Xiaolian Villa to enjoy the garden scenery.
○ Noon: Taste Xunti, Shuangjiao Noodles, and other local delicacies in the ancient town.
○ Afternoon: Visit Zhang Shiming Former Residence to experience the charm of Chinese-Western blended architecture.
○ Evening: Stroll along Baijian Building, enjoy the night view, and experience the tranquility of the water town.
● Day 2
○ Morning: Travel from Nanxun to West Tang, check in upon arrival, then take a walk along the Misty Rain Corridor to feel the water town atmosphere.
○ Noon: Taste Euryale Seed Cake, Cicada Skin Dumplings, and other delicacies in West Tang.
○ Afternoon: Explore Shipi Alley to experience its unique narrowness and mystery. Then visit West Garden for a moment of peace.
○ Evening: Take a night boat tour in West Tang to enjoy the dreamlike ancient town scenery illuminated by lights.
● Day 3
○ Morning: Free activities in West Tang Ancient Town, browse specialty shops, and buy souvenirs.
○ Noon: Enjoy West Tang cuisine again to perfectly end the trip.
○ Afternoon: Pack up and conclude the pleasant journey.
Notes⚠️
● Tickets for Nanxun and West Tang can be purchased online in advance to avoid queues.
● Pay attention to safety when taking boat rides and wear life jackets properly.
● Respect local customs and cultural traditions.
Dear friends, the beauty of Nanxun and West Tang is like a melodious Jiangnan tune🎶 waiting for you to listen to in person. Hurry up and pack your bags to start this romantic Jiangnan journey🎉! I believe these two ancient towns will leave you with unforgettable memories💕.
Shipinong is one of the most distinctive attractions in Xitang Ancient Town. Shipinong is located on Xiaxi Street in Xitang Ancient Town. It is an open-air alley sandwiched between two houses and was built in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. It is named "Shipinong" because of its deep and narrow alley and the thin stone slabs as leather. It is also known as the "One Line of Sky" in Xitang. Shipinong is 68 meters long and is paved with 216 stone slabs with a thickness of only 3 cm, and the ground is paved with 168 stone slabs. The widest part of the alley is 1.1 meters, the narrowest part is only 0.8 meters, and the height of the gables on both sides is between 6 meters and 10 meters. There is a narrow sky above Shipinong. When walking in it, you can only see a thin ray of light, so it is called "Xitang One Line of Sky". Shipinong is the passage between the two houses of the Wang family, "Zunwen Hall" and "Zhongfu Hall", and is the passage to the house of the Wang family, a prominent family in Xitang. The narrow space and unique light and shadow effects of Shipinong make it a great place for taking photos, and it is suitable for checking in wearing Hanfu or ancient costumes. As one of the iconic attractions of Xitang Ancient Town, Shipinong attracts many tourists with its unique architectural style and profound cultural heritage.
A very unique alley at the end of Xitang West Street. The wall is black as if it was cast by magic, with ghost words all over it. The stone slabs are paved with thin stone slabs as the surface of the sewer, so it is called Shipinong. This alley is only 80 cm wide. You have to walk to the innermost part and take pictures outside to see the best. It is also a scenic spot "A Line of Sky".
Shipi Lane, located on Xiaxi Street in Xitang Town, is a narrow lane between Wang's "Zhongfu Hall" and "Zunwen Hall". According to research, this place was originally a sewer for draining rainwater. It was paved with 216 slabs as thin as skin, only 3 cm thick. Hence the name. The widest part is 1.1 meters, and the narrowest part is only about 0.8 meters. Looking up in Shipi Lane, the broad blue sky becomes a narrow strip. Therefore, this place is also called Xitang's "One Line of Sky". It always makes visitors exclaim.
The breeze caresses my face, the spring rain continues The Jiangnan area is beautiful, and the scenery is familiar. The river flowers are redder than fire at sunrise, and the river water is green as blue in spring. How can I not remember Jiangnan? Jiangnan is not just the rows of small bungalows The mottled gray and white walls and the long bluestone road This bluestone alley is only 68 meters long The minimum width is only 0.8 meters. The narrow alley can't even pass by, and you can only wait silently on the roadside This is a narrow alley between Wang and Feng's houses. Now you must pass by the alley when you walk out of Xiyuan. Naturally, you can also see Feng's house. Now it is an inn with Jiangnan characteristics. You can live here to feel the Jiangnan water town. It is actually very quiet inside. The streets are noisy, but the alley is very quiet. Standing in the Shipi Lane, looking up at the sky, a thin blue sky, this is the "One Line Sky" of Xitang. In addition to the gray on the wall, there are also tender green climbing vines. Looking at the sky through the triangular leaves, there is a different sense of melancholy. Coordinates: Alley at the exit of West Street Xiyuan Scenic Area Environment: The whole alley is 68 meters, the narrowest width is only 0.8 meters, the thickness of the stone slab is only 3 centimeters, and there are 216 stone slabs in total. This is an alley that does not rain all day long, because there is a sewer under the stone slabs, so it is called "Shipi Lane". Travel tips: It is recommended to walk to West Street, which is closest to Xiyuan, not on the side of the Misty Rain Corridor, but in the opposite direction.
On Xiaxi Street in Xitang Town, at the west end of "Zhongfu Hall", there is an open-air alley sandwiched between two residential buildings, which was built in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Among the 122 alleys of varying lengths in Xitang Town, Shipi Lane is the narrowest, only 1 meter wide, paved with 216 stones, with a flat surface and a sewer underneath. It is the longest alley in Xitang. The alley is deep and narrow, and the stones are as thin as skin, so it is named Shipi Lane. People who like roads paved with bluestone slabs will like such bluestone roads that have been to Xitang.
Shipi Lane in Xitang Scenic Area This is a narrow lane. It's not that small, actually; I'm probably just a bit slender [snickering]. It's 68 meters long, and as the saying goes, it's 1.1 meters wide at its widest point and 0.8 meters narrowest. Actually, the lanes here all look long and narrow, so if you want to take photos, you can find them anywhere. It's right next to a scenic spot, so after visiting, you can just exit Shipi Lane. There's also the Shipi Inn, so you can stay there if you're interested. There's scenery everywhere you go.