Stunning 1000-year-old town known as ‘the Venice of Asia’ visited by very few tourists
A stunning 1000-year-old town in East China has been described as the ‘the Venice of Asia’.
Quiet Nanxun, just outside the bustling city of Huzhou, is visited by far fewer tourists than other popular towns - despite the picturesque locations available.
The ancient water town is south of the Yangtze River is also known as "the land of culture” and “the land of poetry and books”. It was once a famous silk town in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
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It's a world away from the real Venice in Italy, however it's stunning waterways give off the same feel, with one reviewer branding the area 'one of China's best-kept secrets', reports the Express.
A writer for travel website Sailingstone Travel said: “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."
“Entering the town, I paused for a moment to wait out the rain under a covered walkway. For a little while it seemed like I was the only one there.
"But then I spotted some local residents across the canal, going about their daily chores. Some were hanging up laundry or sweeping the sidewalk, while a few others were just sitting and having a chat. It was just like a scene from an old photograph.”
Due to its role in both the production and trade of silk, Nanxun was one of the wealthiest towns in China during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) and was home to some of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the country.
The opulent homes and gardens they lived in - which blend both Chinese and Western architecture are beautifully maintained by the town and are open to visitors.
Nanxun and its neighbouring cities are strategically located close to the Grand Canal, the man-made 1,118-mile man-made waterway that stretches from Beijing all the way to Hangzhou.
When viewed from above, the ancient town, covering 68 hectares, 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 the waterways - 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 historic stone arch, the Guanyin Bridge, that is the largest in the town. The Guanghui Bridge, meanwhile, is backed by the Taoist temple Guanghui Palace, which was rebuilt in 1800.
Nanxun old town is not large and the attractions are easy to visit on foot. Highlights include the ancient private library of Jiayetang, the gardens at Xiao Lian Zhuang Little Lotu Villa and the former residences of Zhang Shimin and Liu Tiqing.
To explore this stunning town, visitors must purchase a ticket for 100 yuan (£11), which also grants access to all the historical landmarks. Nanxun is easily accessible by public bus from nearby cities like Hangzhou.
According to China Discovery, the recommended route starts from Xiao Lian Zhuang Little Lotu Villa and Jiayetang Library, then heads north to the Former Residence of Zhangshiming. From here, cross the river to the east street and visit The Red House, Guanghui Palace, Silk Guide before ending your journey in the northeast scenic area by taking a stroll around the Former Residence of Zhang Jingjiang and the Old Residential Row House.
While Nanxun is suitable for tourists all year round, spring and autumn are the best times to visit, when the flowers are in bloom and a festival is held in the former, and the skies are clear in the latter. Summer, meanwhile, is the best time to enjoy the lotus flowers in Xiaolianzhuang.
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