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Nanxun Ancient Town, a Jiangnan water town, is densely crisscrossed with rivers and connected by streets. In your free time, rent a boat and follow the boatman as you reminisce about the old town and experience the charm of Jiangnan. After disembarking, you can find a teahouse, sit under the porch, sip a pot of tea, and spend the entire day leisurely.
The people of Nanxun have long enjoyed the custom of drinking tea, primarily among middle-aged and elderly men, who come regardless of weather. As early as the Qing and Ming dynasties, those who enjoyed morning tea would rise in the dead of night, travel several miles, and trek into town in the dark to drink tea, listen to anecdotes and news, and exchange market trends. They would also sell their chickens, ducks, eggs, and other agricultural and sideline products at the teahouse and buy items like oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, floral fabrics, and snacks for their children to take home.
Teahouses were once a popular destination in the old town. According to incomplete statistics, before the Anti-Japanese War, there were as many as 50 teahouses in Nanxun Town. Many teahouses still exist in Nanxun today, and drinking tea has become a major leisure activity in the ancient town.
In addition to morning tea, there's also afternoon and evening tea, and the majority of tea drinkers are now locals and tourists. Some larger teahouses feature storytelling rooms, where readers can enjoy tea while listening to stories. Some also offer snacks and fruits, making this a major part of the town's cultural life. Nowadays, when you sit in a Nanxun teahouse, the local specialties, Fengxiao (Chinese rice cakes) and smoked bean tea, are must-try items.
The people of Nanxun call wok-ci (glutinous rice crust) "fengyao." Fengyao soup, made by mixing sugar with boiling water, is a popular dish for entertaining guests during the Spring Festival, especially in rural areas.
Smoked bean tea is a traditional specialty of the South Taihu Lake region. Farmers have a long-standing custom of preparing and drinking this tea with guests. It's primarily made with "tea fruits" like smoked beans, sesame seeds, orange peel, radish seeds, and dried carrots. A variety of other seasonings can also be added, depending on individual preferences and preferences, such as a small amount of tea leaves, dried bamboo shoots, and osmanthus flowers.
Nanxun, an ancient water town, is a place where rivers and streets intersect, bridges connect, and green willows graze the water, creating an authentic Jiangnan waterside scene. Rowing a boat and admiring the red cages hanging high on both sides of the river, symbolizing the Jiangnan waterside towns, immerses you in the charm of the ancient town and the unique customs of the waterside village, offering another delightful experience in Nanxun.
The town is awash with small bridges, and boat moorings are common. Xiaolianzhuang and Baijianlou are excellent spots for boat viewing. Boaters are often dressed like village girls. Some are even qualified tour guides, introducing visitors to nearby attractions, recounting stories from Nanxun's past, and exploring its quaint folk customs.
Cruise ship terminal address: Entrance of Xiaolianzhuang
There is only one bar in the ancient town now, called 1899, which is near the intersection of Nanxi Street outside the ancient town, near the tourist distribution center. There are also a few milk tea shops in Nanxun Ancient Town.