If you’re planning a trip to Shanghai and trying to decide what Shanghai day trips to do, then you may have come across Nanxiang Ancient Town and Guyi Garden. Only 30 minutes from Shanghai on the metro, it’s certainly a convenient day trip, that you actually only need about half a day for. It’s known as the birthplace of Xiao Long Bao and home to the stunning Chinese Garden, Guyi Garden. Nanxiang is also home to an Ancient Water Town that you can explore. So here is everything you need to know before you go to Nanxiang, including how to get there, things to do in Nanxiang and if it’s worth the visit (and one thing we definitely wouldn’t do if you decide to go).
CONTENTS
Nanxiang Day Trip From Shanghai Video
How To Get To Nanxiang From Shanghai
Why Visit Nanxiang Ancient Town
Nanxiang Ancient Town Map
First Impressions Of Nanxiang
Things To Do In Nanxiang
Final Impressions: Is A Day Trip To Nanxiang Worth It?
Nanxiang Day Trip From Shanghai Video
How To Get To Nanxiang From Shanghai
Getting to Nanxiang from Shanghai is very simple. Take Line 11 Metro to Nanxiang Station and you will be there in about 30 minutes. You can buy a ticket or use your Shanghai Public Transportation Card. The metro ticket cost 5 RMB one way.
Why Visit Nanxiang Ancient Town?
Nanxiang was a town of its own but has been gobbled up into Shanghai through its expansion. It’s known for being the place where Xiao Long Bao originated. Although Nanxiang feels like a city, there is still an area of the Ancient water town that you can explore. Nanxiang is also home to a couple of beautiful gardens and a Buddhist temple.
Nanxiang Ancient Town Map
First Impressions Of Nanxiang
When you get off at Nanxiang Station, you will feel like you are still in the city. There are big buildings around you, a shopping mall and lot’s of traffic on the roads. It doesn’t exactly match your visions of an Ancient water town and peaceful gardens. But as long as you are aware of this then it won’t come as a shock. The gardens and ancient town are about a 15-minute walk from the train station.
Things To Do In Nanxiang
Guyi Garden
Guyi Garden is the first site you will come across when walking towards the Ancient Town from the Metro station. We walked up Huyi Hwy from the metro and went in the gate on this road. We walked right once we entered, followed this around the park and then we exited on the North exit which was closer to the Ancient Town. Guyi Garden is a classical Chinese garden dating back to the Ming Dynasty in the 16th century. It is one of the 5 most important classical gardens in Shanghai.
When we first entered, although beautiful, it felt a little gimmicky or like just another site. But as we continued walking through, it definitely got better. By the time we reached the Bonsai garden, I was really happy to be here exploring the gardens. The Bonsai gardens were stunning, just starting to bloom pink, purple and white flowers. The next area after the Bonsai garden was also stunning. There were some pagoda’s on a lake with people playing instruments, it was so tranquil. We then made our way to the North exit.
The Guyi Garden is definitely worth a visit, especially the Bonsai garden.
Address: 218 Huyi Gong Lu or Huyi Hwy, near Guyi Yuan Lu
Cost of Entry: 12 RMB for Adults
How Much Time Do You Need: 1 hour although you could take longer if you wish to sit and relax.
Opening Hours: 6 AM to 5 PM (South Gate) + 7 AM to 6 PM (North Gate)
Tan Garden
Tan Garden was the private garden of scholar and artist Li Liufang, located in the Ancient Town where people would meet for tea and to discuss poetry. It was destroyed during a change in dynasties but has since been reconstructed. It was another beautiful garden in Nanxiang. Tan garden is smaller than the Guyi Gardens and perhaps a little more structured. Both are definitely worth a look.
Address: 230 Jiefang Street
Cost of Entry: 22 RMB
How Much Time Do You Need: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Nanxiang Ancient Water Town
The Ancient Water Town of Nanxiang dates back almost 1500 years. It really only has a few streets to walk through, but it is still quite pretty. A good place to start is entering at Jiefang Street from Minzhu Street, and walk over the footbridge over the river. Here you will immediately see the Buddhist Twin Pagodas, and if you keep walking you will pass the entry to Tan Garden.
Address: Jiefang Street & Renmin Street are two of the main streets of Nanxiang Ancient Town
Cost of Entry: Entry to the Ancient Town was free.
How Much Time Do You Need: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Yunxiang Temple (Liuyun Temple)
Yunxiang temple has a history that dates back to 505 AD, but the temple was rebuilt between 2000 and 2004. It is an example of Tang-style buildings. Unfortunately, we reached the temple after it had closed, so we were unable to see the inside of the temple. From the outside, it looked beautiful and I’m sure would add something to your day trip to Nanxiang.
Opening Hours: 8 AM to 4.30 PM
Eat Xiao Long Bao (Nanxiang Steamed Buns)
Although Nanxiang is famed as the place where Xiao Long Bao originated, I have to say this was the biggest let down of our day trip to Nanxiang. One of the main reasons we decided to visit Nanxiang was for the Xiao Long Bao, otherwise known as Nanxiang Steamed Bun or Nanxiang dumplings. Although we had read mixed reviews of them prior to coming, we wanted to see for ourselves.
We tried the original Xiao Long Bao at 220 Guyi Yuan Lu, which honestly was not great. The meat fell out of the bottom of the dumplings, the skin was thick and a little slimy tasting and the overall package just wasn’t enjoyable. Unfortunately, we didn’t finish our Xiao Long Bao. We wanted to give it another try, so went to a busier place down the road. Again, the skins were very thick and soggy yet so chewy it was hard to finish even one dumpling. The pork filling also had gristle and was not nice to eat. We never usually leave food, but we had 3 dumplings between us, paid and left as we just couldn’t eat them.
We have had so many delicious Xiao Long Bao in Shanghai that the dumplings in Nanxiang were a complete letdown. That’s not to say that there are not better Xiao Long Bao in Nanxiang, we just didn’t find them. We also understand that the Nanxiang dumplings are a thicker style dumpling than the Xiao Long Bao in Shanghai, so perhaps it was just that the ones in Shanghai were more to our personal taste.
Cost Of One Basket Of Xiao Long Bao: 30 RMB
Final Impressions: Is a Day Trip To Nanxiang Worth It?
We were staying in Shanghai for 2 months, so for us, getting a 30-minute metro and spending half a day in Nanxiang was worth it. But if you are in Shanghai for only a few days to a week, I think there are better day trips to do during your trip to Shanghai or even just spend that time exploring Shanghai as there are a lot of things to do in Shanghai itself. Obviously, it’s a personal choice if Nanxiang is something that interests you. If you only have a limited time in Shanghai and want to see something else but don’t have time for a full day trip, then Nanxiang might be worth considering.
Read More:
Where To Eat In Shanghai China: Shanghai China Food Guide + Video
The Best Breakfast Street Food In Shanghai China
7 Types Of Chinese Dumplings In Shanghai: Dumpling Guide
The Best Xiao Long Bao In Shanghai, China
The Best Sheng Jian Bao In Shanghai China
Things To Know Before Visiting China For The First Time
The 9 Best Cafes In Shanghai China + Video + Map
The Best Noodles In Shanghai + Video + Map
How To Travel To China From Home: Movies, Books, Recipes, Blogs + More
How To Get A Tourist Visa For China In Australia: China Visa Application Guide