Cultural Treasures Uncovered: 1-Day Nanxun Water Town Day Tour from Shanghai

Tour Itinerary

Tucked away in the quiet folds of Jiangnan, Nanxun Ancient Town is a place where ancient canals whisper stories of silk merchants, scholars, and generations of quiet prosperity. Unlike the more commercialized water towns, Nanxun offers a rare blend of authentic local life and refined elegance. Here, European villas stand beside Ming and Qing dynasty residences, private libraries open into moss-covered gardens, and stone bridges arch gracefully over still waters. Whether you’re wandering its shaded alleys or sipping tea by a lotus pond, Nanxun invites you to slow down and experience a deeper, quieter side of Chinese history and culture.

Our professional guide will greet you warmly at your hotel, Shanghai airport, or train station, holding a clear "Your Way Holiday" welcome sign. From there, you’ll enjoy a comfortable private drive to Nanxun Ancient Town. During the ride, your guide will introduce the cultural background of Nanxun and how this lesser-known water town thrived during the Ming and Qing dynasties through trade and intellectual life, setting the tone for a day of immersive local discovery.

Begin your visit at the Former Residence of Zhang Shiming, one of the finest and most elaborate examples of early 20th-century residential architecture in southern China. The estate covers over 6,000 square meters and showcases an extraordinary blend of Chinese craftsmanship and Western elegance, with over 150 rooms connected by intricate courtyards and corridors. As you walk through the home, your guide will highlight its unique architectural features, such as carved beams, Gothic windows, Roman columns, and imported Italian fireplaces. The residence reflects the wealth and global outlook of the Zhang family, who made their fortune in the silk trade. Your guide will also share stories of the family's daily life, their social status, and how this residence was not just a home, but a statement of cultural ambition during a time of modernization and reform in China. From the lacquered wood panels to the garden’s winding paths, every corner reveals the Zhangs' pursuit of refined living and cross-cultural elegance.

Next, step into the scholarly world of the Jiaye Book Library Tower, founded by Zhang Yuanji, a key figure in modern Chinese publishing. This private library is a quiet sanctuary of knowledge, once housing hundreds of thousands of precious volumes, including rare Ming and Qing dynasty manuscripts, annotated classics, and early printed books. Inside the library complex, your guide will lead you through elegant wooden buildings arranged around serene courtyards, explaining how traditional Chinese scholars viewed the role of books in shaping moral life and intellectual legacy. You’ll also learn how the Zhang family invested in education and cultural preservation, making Nanxun not only wealthy but intellectually vibrant. The scent of old wood and ink, the delicate latticework on windows, and the peaceful atmosphere combine to give visitors a rare glimpse into China’s literary tradition. If time permits, your guide can show you facsimiles of ancient books or introduce the art of traditional Chinese bookbinding.

Continue your journey at Xiaolianzhuang Scenic Resort, an elegant retreat built in the late Qing dynasty by Liu Yong, a wealthy silk merchant who sought a space of reflection and escape. The estate is a masterpiece of Jiangnan garden design, filled with winding corridors, ornamental pavilions, and ponds teeming with koi and lotus. As you wander through its poetic landscape, your guide will explain how the layout was inspired by the aesthetics of Chinese painting, where each scene reveals itself slowly as you move through the space. Stone tablets inscribed with poems, carefully placed scholar rocks, and moon gates create a sense of harmony between architecture and nature. This was once a space for hosting guests, reading poetry, and appreciating seasonal changes in flowers and trees. You may sit by the water pavilion, sip local tea, and imagine how merchants and scholars once spent their afternoons here in peaceful retreat. The guide will also share anecdotes about Liu Yong’s life and how gardens like this were considered a reflection of a man’s taste, status, and philosophical outlook.

In the afternoon, you may choose to enjoy a relaxing canal-side tea break, where your guide can help you order seasonal snacks and local teas. This is the perfect moment to reflect on the day, chat about Jiangnan customs, or even learn a few words of the local dialect. Unlike crowded tourist towns, Nanxun allows for unhurried exploration and authentic local encounters, making this journey truly enriching.

As your visit wraps up, your driver will escort you comfortably back to Shanghai. Along the way, you can recap the highlights with your guide or simply relax. At Your Way Holiday, we believe travel should feel personal and connected. Through this one-day experience in Nanxun, we hope you’ve seen more than just scenic beauty—you’ve touched the cultural heart of Jiangnan, traveling not just as a visitor, but like a local.

Price Per Person in US Dollars