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218 Huyi Road, Jiading District, Shanghai
An thousand-year-old ancient town in Shanghai; Famed for Nanxiang Steamed Meat Dumplings
Located in the north-western Jiading District of Shanghai, Nanxiang Water Town is a small town with a history of nearly 1500 years. it is one of four famous historical and cultural ancient towns in Shanghai City. It has convenient traffic facilities both on the land and by river.Nanxiang is the south gate of Jiading District and an important town of culture and business in South Jiading. The main attractions in the town include Nanxiang Twin Pagodas, Hezuo Hill and Guyi Garden where you can admiring lotuses in Summer.
It's a business center from old times and was known as Silver Nanxiang. In 1991, it was listed as one of the four famous historical and cultural towns in Shanghai. This old ancient town is the birthplace of the famous Xiaolongbao steamed bun, which are well liked throughout the world. It’s definitely worth trying a few of these delicious buns. The town houses the oldest and original shop selling the famous Xiaolong mantou, which was established in 1900. There are plenty of relics on display that have stayed untouched since the Ming Dynasty days.
The town is also the home to one of Shanghai's five most important classical gardens, the Guyi Garden of Nanxiang which is designed in the typical style of a Southern China’s classical garden. The old street in Nanxiang Ancient Town is another great sight to visit, and is somewhat similar to what you may have traveled in other water towns like Zhujiajiao, Wuzhen, Zhouzhuang, etc. and the streets here are full of the rich smell of oily & spicy Chinese cuisine, as well as the much expected souvenir shops selling everything.
Nanxiang Old Street is located in the center of Nanxiang Ancient Town, where you can see the towers, bridges, rivers and characteristic buildings of water town in China. It is also an ideal place for Shanghai people to visit.
Located in No. 218 of Huyi Highway of Nanxiang Town, Guyi Garden was built in Ming dynasty. With a history of more than 500 years, Guyi Garden is one of the most famous classical gardens in Shanghai. At the Guyi Garden, you can see pavilions and corridors, which are typical gardens in Jiangnan(south of the Yangtze River).
Guyi Garden is always beautiful in different seasons. In spring, the flowers bloom and plants turn green, which are full of vigor. And the warm weather in spring is suitable for visiting. In summer, though the weather is hot, the lotus blossoms add beauty of the Guyi Garden, and the sunny days and blue skies provide photography opportunities. In autumn, the Guyi Garden with autumn foliage is another picturesque. In winter, the Guiyi Garden will be covered by snow, which is beautiful and peaceful.
Nanxiang Temple, also known as Yunxiang Temple, is an architecture with the architectural style of Tang dynasty. Yunxiang Temple was built in 505. In 1856, the temple was destroyed in the war, leaving only the twin towers and two wells. The rebuilt Yunxiang Temple, also known as Liuyun Temple, is large and magnificent with reasonable and rigorous layout. The main halls are arranged on the central axis, including the monastery gate, the Guanyin Hall, the main hall(Mahavira Hall) and the Sutra Depository Building. And the Qielan Hall, the Grand Chance Hall, the Bell Tower, the Drum Tower, the Manjusri Hall and the Pu Xian are located on the both sides of the central axis. In addition, there are Gongde Hall and Wanfo Hall underground.
The twin towers at Nanxiang Ancient Town is 11 meters tall and with a diameter of 1.86 meters of the bottom. The Twin Towers are the only surviving pair of pavilion-style brick towers with the oldest imitation wood structure in China.
Taste the Nanxiang Xiaolongbao
The technology of making Nanxiang Xiaolongbao has a history of more than 150 years since it was born in 1871. In 2007, the technology of Nanxiang Xiaolong was listed as intangible cultural heritage in Shanghai. The characteristics of the Nanxiang Xiaolongbao are thin skin, fresh juice, tender meat and rich stuffing. If you travel to Nanxiang Ancient Town in Shanghai, you should not miss the Nanxiang Xiaolongbao. Except for Nanxiang Town, you can taste the Nanxiang Xiaolongbao in other places of Shanghai, other cities of China and other countries in the world.
Nanxiang Ancient Town is always beautiful in different seasons. The best time to visit Nanxiang Ancient Town will depend on the scenery you prefer. In spring, the willows are lush and peach blossoms are beautiful. You can stroll around the Nanxiang Old Street and enjoy the picturesque spring at the Guyi Garden. In summer, the lotus blossoms at the Guyi Garden is attractive and the night view of the ancient town is charming with the lanterns.
In autumn, the comfortable weather is suitable for exploring Nanxiang Ancient Town. And the autumn foliage at the Guyi Garden is very beautiful in autumn. And autumn is the best time to taste the Nanxiang Xiaolongbao, especially for the Xiaolongbao with crab meat. Winter in Nanxiang Ancient Town is cold with less crowds. If you prefer quiet atmosphere, you can visit Nanxiang Ancient Town in winter.
Please note that attractions in China will be full of domestic tourists in July, August and other public holidays(National Day holiday of China, Spring Festival, etc. )
You may take Metro Line 11 from Jiangsu Lu to Nanxiang directly (takes around 40 minutes). Then take a 15 minute walk along Huyi Gong Lu to reach Guyi Garden or you can carry on walking straight down Minzhu Jie and the garden is located on the left hand of the road. Or you can take Bus 517, 562, 822 and get off at Nanxiang Gu Zhen Station.
To make the most of the visit to the garden, visitors can rent a small rowboat to take a ride along the bright green algae ridden lake. Just make sure you known how to how to ride the boat as no one will be there to teach you.
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