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Nanxun, situated in Huzhou City, is a famous historical and cultural town in Zhejiang Province. It is in the hinterland of the Hangjiahu Plain. It faces the Taihu Lake to the north, and borders on Jiangsu Province to the east. Nanxun is only 51 kilometers away from Suzhou. One will pass the famous Tongli Town from Nanxun to Suzhou.
It is recorded by Records of Gardens South of the Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River that Nanxun is the only town south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River with five large gardens in one town. Nanxun boasts numerous historic sites and enchanting natural landscapes, and has both historical and cultural details as well as poetic charm of watery regions south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Since ancient time, Nanxun has been a place with flourishing culture and has turned out many talents. During the Song (960-1279), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, Nanxun turned out 41 successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations.
With a history of 745 years, Nanxun has places of interests such as the Jiaye Book-Collecting Building, Liu Yong's Xiaolian Manor, Zhang Jingjiang's former residence, Zhangshiming's former residence, the Baijian Building and ancient stone bridges of the Song Dynasty.
Wuzhen
Wuzhen Town lies in the north of Zhejiang Province and by the west side of the Jinghang Grand Canal. Being a place of strategic importance for both land and water transportation, it is known to all that Wuzhen is at the juncture of the two provinces (Zhejiang and Jiangsu), three prefectures (Jiaxing, Huzhou, and Suzhou), and seven counties (Wucheng, Gui'an, Chongde, Tongxiang, Xiushui, Wujiang, and Zhenze).
In the past, Wuzhen was divided into two towns by the Che Brook; the west part was named Wu Town, belonging to Wucheng County of Huzhou Prefecture, and the east part was named Qing Town, belonging to Tongxiang County of Jiaxing Prefecture.
According to the chorography of Wuzhen and Qingzhen, during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC), Wuzhen was the boundary area of Wu and Yue states. It was during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) that the name of "Wuzhen Town" was officially accepted for the first time. In the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), it was divided into Wu and Qing towns by the Che Brook. After liberation, the two towns eventually merged and was renamed Wuzhen, administrated by Tongxiang County.
Wuzhen is not only famous for its beautiful rivers and lakes, but also the hometown of the famous writer Mao Dun.