Nanxun Travel Guide
Zhejiang Province | Population: 510,000
The Nanxun Ancient Water Town is a prefecture-level city in the Zhejiang Province of China. It is located on the Yangtze River Delta and consists of alluvial plains and rivulets that crisscross all over the town. Being just an hour’s drive from large cities like Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanjing, and Hangzhou, the city has become a major tourist town. Nanxun is often called the “Rhine of the Orient” or “Oriental Venice” because the river runs through the city. It has the typical scenery of a Chinese water town with artistically designed bridges, rivulets, boats passing along the river, ancient cottages on the banks, and historical and cultural tourist attractions.
With a history of over 1,400 years, Nanxun City has many cultural sites built during the Qing Dynasty reign. In those days, it was a prosperous and bustling commercial town and the home of several affluent merchants. The wealth of the merchants was described by identifying them with animals. For example, the wealthiest merchants were referred to as elephants, the middle-class merchants were referred to as cows, and those who were worth only 500,000 were known as dogs. None of these descriptions were derogatory but were in fact used to honor the wealthy.
Over the ages, the skyline in some parts of Nanxun City has changed. Old single or two-storied structures have been replaced by high-rises. Along with this, the infrastructure, the river transport system, and other facilities have improved to make the place a tourist-friendly town.
Over the ages, the skyline in some parts of Nanxun City has changed. Old single or two-storied structures have been replaced by high-rises. Along with this, the infrastructure, the river transport system, and other facilities have improved to make the place a tourist-friendly town.
