Nanxun, situated in Huzhou City, is a famous historical and cultural town in Zhejiang Province. Facing Taihu Lake to the north, and only a half-hour drive from Suzhou, Nanxun enjoys splendid natural resources. With a history of over 700 years, Nanxun is also a place full of historical interests.
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The river runs through Nanxun.
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On the list of Records of Gardens South of the Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River is Nanxun, the only town containing a total of five large gardens. Nanxun boasts numerous historic sites and enchanting natural landscapes, and has both a rich cultural heritage as well as the poetic, waterside charm seen in areas along the Yangtze. Enjoying revered cultural and natural resources, Nanxun is known as the birthplace of many talented historical figures. During the Song, Ming and Qing dynasties, 41 successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations came out of Nanxun.
With a history of 1400 years, Nanxun has a long story to tell about its splendid days of yore. Nanxun was a blooming town in the Southern Song Dynasty and by the reign of Emperor Jiajin of the Ming Dynasty, about a half century ago, it became one of Zhejiang Province's important commercial towns because of the development of the silk industry. Ancient poems refer to the town beautifully descriptive verse: "thousands of households gather here on this water town market, and fishing boats and merchant vessels call at it side by side." and "At the night market, you can buy water bamboo shoots and lotus roots, and in spring ships carry silks and brocades..."
The town's most famous structure is the 400-year-old Baijian Lou, literally meaning pavilion of 100 rooms, located in the town's northeast corner.
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A part of Baijian Lou.
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Locals say the pavilion was constructed by a high-ranking Ming Dynasty official for his servants, and people were amazed for his generosity as they looked at the magnificent building with its 100 rooms.
Withstanding several centuries of war and turbulence, the buildings are amazingly well-preserved; stretching along 400 metres on both banks of the ancient canal which divides the town, the huge buildings still function as residences for locals.
Small, exquisite gardens are another special attraction of Nanxun, and Xiaolian Zhuang, or Liu's Garden, is one that certainly should not be missed by visitors. It was once the private garden of Liu Yong, a senior Qing Dynasty official. The garden is over 17,000 square metres, highlighted by a 5,000 square metre lotus pond within the building's centre. Tourists visiting the garden in summer are astonished by the pleasing green and red thickly dotted lotuses. Also noteworthy are several Chinese archways which had a role in ancient rituals to worship ancestors.
Nanxun is known as a once-prosperous commercial town and silk manufacturing centre in the modern history
of China. The silk industry nurtured a group of prominent figures who played important roles in political and economic life, and which also contributed to the outstanding architectural heritage of the town.
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The Lesser Lotus Villa also has many Western-style buildings within.
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Zhang Jingjiang was a counselor in the latter period of the Qing Dynasty. In Paris, he met Sun Yat-sen, later becoming his close friend - even helping to finance Sun's Xinhai Revolution in 1911. In Zhang's former residence, letters and photos which prove his close relationship with Sun and Chiang Kai-shek, are well preserved along with other mementoes.
Liu's Former Residence is another eye-catcher for tourists. It once belonged to Liu Tiqing, a prominent Qing Dynasty silk merchant. His family ran the most important silk business in China at the time, trading with France and other countries. Liu's luxurious mansion is a blend of European and traditional Chinese-style architecture. A European fountain and traditional Chinese pavilions, along with red-brick walls, and Western style furniture and decorations indicate that not only was the owner of this mansion the richest merchant in town, he was also open to the Western world.
Another tourists' attraction is the mansion of Zhang Shiming, a rich business man who introduced Western luxuries to the traditional Chinese town. Dubbed the largest private mansion in Southeast China, the building is over 4,000 square metres. Built in the later years of the Qing Dynasty, the house combines both European and Chinese architectural styles. Most of the rooms were constructed and decorated with materials imported from France, such as mosaic glass windows. The mansion also includes a delicate garden which offers tourists a peaceful respite after visiting the house.
Other attractions include the ancient Jiaye Library, the Mandarin Garden, and ancient canals and arched stone bridges - all adding to the serene beauty of the peaceful water town.
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The Zhang Mansion, house of Zhang Shiming, one of the earliest Chinese merchants involved in foreign trade during the the beginning of the 20th Century.
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Nanxun has kept the scenic views of a water town well preserved with its ancient houses while developing an atmosphere of modern times with high-rises mixed in here and there. The streets which run along the rivers criss-crossing each other create a unique view reminiscent of Venice.
With the development of the new economy, the infrastructure has been greatly improved in drainage, power supply and telecommunications. Newly built streets like Tai'an Road and Jiaye Road have become the new commercial centers of the ancient town.
In recent years, a number of cultural and recreational facilities have been built, including an indoor swimming pool, an exhibition hall, ball courts, and a children's park.
As for the best traveling tip--it is easy for a visitor to see all these tourist sites in a single day, though, to enjoy the town fully at a pace close to its own requires a stay of at least a few days. |
