Nanxun

　　　　According to , “A single town possessing five large gardens, all of considerable scale—this is truly unique in the Jiangnan region.”

　　　　During the Qing Dynasty, the wealth of Nanxun’s residents was classified by the size of animals: those worth over 10 million were called “elephants,” over 1 million “oxen,” and over 300,000 “golden dogs.”

　　　　Nanxun boasts numerous historical sites and scenic spots that blend harmoniously with the natural landscape. It is rich in profound historical and cultural heritage and charm, exuding the poetic and picturesque essence of a classic Jiangnan water town.

　　　　Since ancient times, Nanxun has been a place of flourishing culture and has produced many talented individuals. The tradition of scholarship has never waned. As early as the Ming Dynasty, there was a saying: “Nine li have three Grand Secretaries, ten li have two Ministers.” From the Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties alone, Nanxun produced 41 successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations.

　　　　With a history of 745 years since its establishment, Nanxun experienced its economic heyday from the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty to the mid-Qing Dynasty. The town has a long cultural history, having produced 41 imperial examination scholars from the Song to the Qing Dynasty. Notable historical sites include the Jiaye Hall Library, the Xiaolianzhuang Manor of Liu Yong, the Former Residence of Zhang Jingjiang, the Former Residence of Zhang Shiming, the Hundred-Room Building, and ancient stone bridges from the Song Dynasty.