Nanxun Water Town – Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights

Located southwest of Nanxun Town, Xiaolian Zhuang (小莲庄) was the private garden of Liu Yong, the wealthiest resident during the late Qing Dynasty, known locally as one of the “four elephants.” Constructed in 1885 during the 11th year of the Guangxu Emperor’s reign, this garden spans 27 acres and was named after the Lotus Manor built by Zhao Mengfu, a famous painter and calligrapher from the late Yuan Dynasty. The adjacency of Xiaolian Zhuang to Jiaye hall Library is complemented by the Zhegu Creek flowing nearby.

Situated by the Zhegu Creek in Nanxun Town, Jiaye Hall Library (嘉业堂藏书楼) neighbors Liu’s private garden, Little Lotus Manor. This library boasts a fusion of Chinese and Western garden-style architecture, with a hall layout in the shape of the character “口” (mouth). All wooden windows are intricately carved with the inscription “嘉业堂藏书楼.” Outside, expansive gardens, ponds, and artificial hills create a picturesque scene. Post-1949, Jiaye Tang Library became part of the Zhejiang Library.

Zhang Shiming’s former residence (张石铭旧宅), also known as Yide Tang, faces the ancient Xunxi River, occupying an area of 6,500 square meters with a building area of 7,000 square meters. It comprises a classic blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles, featuring 150 rooms across five rows and four sections. Liu Family’s Residence (刘氏梯号), known as the “Red House” due to its Western-style architecture, faces west and is colloquially referred to as Liu’s Tiered Residence. Owned by Liu An, known as Tie Qing, the main hall is named Chongde Tang (崇德堂).

Located along the banks of the Baijianlou River in Nanxun Water Town, Baijianlou (百间楼) stretches approximately 400 meters from the East Suspension Bridge to the Zhaizhuang Bridge. Built by Dong Fen, a prominent figure from Nanxun who served as the Minister of Rites during the Ming Dynasty (1573-1620), this architectural masterpiece comprises a hundred rooms on both sides of the river, connected by a long stone bridge. Hence, it earned the name “Baijianlou,” meaning “Hundred-Room Building.”

Situated on East Street in Nanxun Town, Zhang Jingjiang’s former residence (张静江故居), also known as Zunde Hall (尊德堂), preserves the traditional architectural style of the Qing Dynasty with its three-entry, five-room layout. Each entry features a hall with five rooms, and as one progresses through the entries, the elevation gradually increases. Moreover, vertical fire lanes are strategically incorporated between each entry. The second and third halls house various photographs, letters, and official documents related to Zhang Jingjiang’s life, including many artifacts associated with renowned personalities.

Built in 1930 by Liu Chenggan, the owner of Jiaye Hall Library, Qiushuli (求恕里) served as a villa for his family’s temporary residence and as a management center for the library. Originally constructed in 1920 to accommodate the library’s growing collection, Qiushuli represents a harmonious blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles. Comprising gatehouses, corridors, a Western-style gatehouse, rolling doors, courtyards, and independent hall buildings, Qiushuli exemplifies the fusion of Eastern and Western architectural elements.

Situated within the scenic area of Nanxun, the Nanxun Cultural Garden (南浔文园) is surrounded by rivers and features a central lake. Divided into northern and southern sections connected by a sky bridge, the southern garden embodies the essence of Jiangnan gardens with its lush greenery and recreational areas, including a children’s playground, a large tree stump bonsai garden, and a corridor adorned with poems by renowned poets. In contrast, the northern garden centers around the Wenchang Pavilion on the lake, surrounded by attractions such as the Poets’ Corridor, the Red Army Long March Memorial Hall, the Wushougu Art Museum, the Xu Chi Memorial Hall, and Ming Dynasty stone lions.

The Jili Lake Silk Museum (辑里湖丝馆) in Nanxun showcases a harmonious blend of Eastern and Western architectural styles across its 950-square-meter expanse. Originally established as the Nanxun Chamber of Commerce in 1926, the building served as the town government office until its relocation in October 1998. It was then transformed into the Nanxun Jili Lake Silk Museum in the first half of 2010. With five exhibition halls, the museum offers a multifaceted experience, integrating historical narratives, cultural insights, educational displays, and product exhibitions.

Dating back to the Northern Song Dynasty, Guanghui Palace (广惠宫) is a venerable Taoist sanctuary with a rich history. Legend has it that during the late Yuan Dynasty, the leader of a peasant uprising, Zhang Shicheng, once used Guanghui Palace as his temporary residence, hence its alternate name, King Zhang Temple. This temple reflects a fusion of Buddhist and Taoist influences, venerating deities such as Huang Da Xian and Guanyin Bodhisattva.