Nanxiang Ancient Town (南翔古镇) is a charming water town located in the northwest of Shanghai, China. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and historical significance dating back to the Ming Dynasty. The town is famous for its traditional architecture, narrow alleys, and canals that add to its old-world charm.
Visitors can explore several ancient landmarks such as the Guyi Garden, a traditional Chinese garden built during the Ming Dynasty, and the Nanxiang Old Street, which is a hub for traditional Chinese cuisine, including the famous local delicacy, xiaolongbao (soup dumplings).
The town also has a fascinating history, including its involvement in the Taiping Rebellion and the Opium War, which visitors can learn about at the local museums.
Nanxiang Ancient Town is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of Shanghai and experience traditional Chinese culture. Its close proximity to the city and convenient transportation options make it an easily accessible and popular tourist destination.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Nanxiang Ancient Town
- Vlog about Nanxiang Ancient Town
- Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
- Other Ancient Towns in Shanghai
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | About 2 hours |
| Opening Hours | The town is accessible 24 hours a day, but most attractions are open from 9.00 – 17.00 |
| Ticket Price | The ancient town is free; Yunxiang Temple: 32 RMB Guyi Garden: 12 RMB |
| Telephone Number | 0086-021-59125503 |
Location and Transportation
Nanxiang Ancient Town is located in northwest of Shanghai, China. Specifically, it is situated in Jiading District, which is about 20 kilometers away from Shanghai’s city center. The town covers an area of around 1.5 square kilometers and is surrounded by water on three sides, with the Dianshan Lake to the west, the Taiping Lake to the south, and the Huangpu River to the east. To get there, you can choose the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 62, 821, 828, Jiading 115, Jiading 119, Jiading 125, Jiading 129, or Jiading 131, and get off at Guyi Garden.
Subway: Take subway line 11, get off at Nanxiang Station, and you will be standing at the northeast end of the town.
Highlights of Nanxiang Ancient Town
Guyi Garden
Guyi Garden is a beautiful classical garden located in Nanxiang Ancient Town, Shanghai, China. It was built during the Ming Dynasty and covers an area of around 8 acres. The garden features traditional Chinese architecture, with winding paths, ponds, rock formations, and a variety of trees and flowers. There are several pavilions and halls, including the Yuhua Hall, which was originally used for tea ceremonies. The garden is known for its picturesque scenery, tranquil atmosphere, and historical significance. Visitors can also enjoy performances of traditional Chinese music and dance.
Nanxiang Old Street
Nanxiang Old Street is a charming historic street located in Nanxiang Ancient Town. The street dates back to the Ming Dynasty and features traditional architecture, with brick and wooden buildings, narrow alleyways, and stone-paved streets. Nanxiang Old Street is known for its food, particularly its famous Nanxiang Xiaolongbao, a type of soup dumpling that is a must-try for any food lover visiting Shanghai. It is also home to a variety of shops selling souvenirs, handicrafts, and traditional Chinese goods.
Historical Pagodas
Nanxiang Ancient Town is home to several historical pagodas, each with its unique style and significance. One of the most notable pagodas is the Yunjin Pagoda, which was built during the Song Dynasty and is the tallest pagoda in the town. The pagoda is a seven-story octagonal structure that features intricate carvings and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. Another pagoda worth visiting is the Xiaolou Pagoda, which was built during the Qing Dynasty and is known for its simple and elegant design. The pagodas in Nanxiang Ancient Town are not only important landmarks but also offer a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Yunxiang Temple
Yunxiang Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Nanxiang Ancient Town. It dates back to the Yuan Dynasty and is known for its unique architecture and rich cultural heritage. The temple complex includes several buildings, including the Main Hall, which houses a statue of the Buddha, and the Bell and Drum Towers. The temple is surrounded by beautiful gardens and is a peaceful oasis in the bustling city of Shanghai. Visitors can participate in traditional Buddhist rituals and ceremonies and learn about the history and culture of the temple.
Vlog about Nanxiang Ancient Town
Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
Size and Duration: Compared to other ancient towns like those in Suzhou, Nanxiang is relatively small. You can explore the entire Nanxiang Ancient Town in about 2 hours. Therefore, if you’re specifically traveling to see ancient towns, you might find Nanxiang a bit underwhelming in terms of size and attractions. However, if you’re in the nearby area and have some free time, Nanxiang can still be a pleasant place to visit.
Try Local Delicacies: Make sure to visit Changxing Building (长兴楼), a century-old establishment famous for its Nanxiang Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings). They offer a variety of dishes including Xiaolongbao (10 pieces for 25 yuan), Xiaohundun (dumplings in soup, 12 yuan per bowl), and Su Ya (roast duck, 22 yuan per serving). While the flavors may not be exceptional, they are still worth trying for a taste of local cuisine.
Visit Nanxiang Impression City Shopping Center: If you’re looking for additional activities in Nanxiang, consider visiting Nanxiang Impression City Shopping Center. The top floor features a rooftop garden and an open-air jogging track. In the evening, this area offers a stunning view of the sunset, making it a highly recommended spot for relaxation and scenic enjoyment.
Today, I passed by the old street of Nanxiang Ancient Town in Jiading District, Shanghai. Although the New Year ha passed, the atmosphere here is still filled with the festive excitement of the 2025 Spring Festival!
Today, I passed through the old street of Nanxiang Ancient Town in the Jiading District of Shanghai. Although there are still eight or nine days until the Spring Festival in 2025, the area is already filled with the festive and lively atmosphere of the holiday!
On a winter solstice afternoon, I strolled through Nanxiang Old Street and decided to take a walk around Nanxiang Ancient Town as well. Next to the twin pagodas, there’s a newly installed statue of a Xiao Long Bao (小笼包), which was quite amusing. At first glance, I didn’t even recognize it! As I passed by a pastry shop, I ordered a piece of Osmanthus Brown Sugar Cake (桂花红糖糕). The skilled master chef cut it into five pieces using a thread,… Read more »
The century-old restaurant truly lives up to its reputation. I finally got to try the much-craved crab roe soup dumplings (蟹粉小笼包), and they really do contain visibly generous amounts of crab roe. The ancient town is quite large, offering plenty of dining and entertainment options.
The National Day holiday has ended, and there are many fewer people now. The donkey meat is delicious!
The Guyi Garden is so beautiful; it’s a great value at only 12 yuan. I spent about an hour and a half exploring it, rushing through the highlights.
Nanxiang Ancient Town is located in the Jiading District, just 10 kilometers from the city center, making it very accessible by subway! I personally prefer the ancient town to the old street; it’s a great feeling to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and observe the lively scene of the ancient town.
Nanxiang Ancient Town is not very large, but it offers a wide variety of snacks at lower prices compared to other ancient towns. The twin pagodas in the center are beautiful and worth seeing.
I have been to Nanxiang Guyi Garden several times but have never been to the old street. This time, I accidentally wandered into Nanxiang Old Street, and it was also great, not inferior to other ancient towns!
I tried the Nanxiang Xiaolongbao, which costs 28 yuan per basket. The taste was really good, but a bit salty. The ancient town itself is not very big, but it has a lot of historical relics. Unlike many other imitation ancient towns, besides the typical snacks, the Shanghai Scallion Pancakes and Meat Pancakes are worth trying. It rained heavily today, but my mood was exceptionally good. The ancient town in the rain had its unique charm.
Nanxiang Ancient Town is not very big, so it’s worth visiting if you’re not too far away. I suggest exploring it along with Guyi Garden and Nanxiang Impression City for a whole day. Have soup dumplings for lunch and head to Impression City for dinner.
After strolling through the ancient town, if you follow the river, you’ll come across a creative park. I found several scenic spots along the way with few people around, perfect for taking some photos.