I thought I was immune to ancient towns until I visited Nanxun and realized Jiangnan is as beautiful as a painting. After entering from the south gate, the first stop is Xiaolianzhuang, the soul of Nanxun Ancient Town. This isn't an ordinary garden; it was the private garden of Liu Yong, Nanxun's wealthiest man in the late Qing Dynasty.

The exterior features typical Jiangnan white walls and dark tiles, but look closely and the windows and decorations are Western-style, a very fashionable design a century ago. Exiting from Xiaolianzhuang's side door, right next to it is Jiaye Library, China's last private library. Its biggest feature is the river surrounding the building, while inside is a Chinese-Western garden layout; you could say there's a garden outside the building and a pond within the garden.

Heading east from Jiayetang, you arrive at Jiangnan's finest residence, Zhang Shiming's Former Residence. The best part of this old house is its East-meets-West design: outside is a Jiangnan mansion with white walls and dark tiles, yet hidden inside is a French Renaissance-style ballroom, extremely rare in old Jiangnan. Further ahead is Liu Family Red House.

Walking into this old villa feels like stepping into a Republican-era movie. The original owner, who decorated it, once lived here. The central section features traditional Chinese architecture, while the north and south sections incorporate Western European Romanesque style.

Frame any corner, and it looks like a movie still. By the time you get here, it's around noon, perfect timing to head toward Tongjin Bridge. Find a noodle shop by the bridge and order a bowl of Shuangjiao Noodles, a must-eat in Nanxun.

It's an old flavor locals have enjoyed for years. After the noodles, take the most interesting water bus in Nanxun Ancient Town. For just ¥3, you can unlock the hidden way to experience the slow life on the water.

Sitting on the boat drifting slowly along the canal, you see white walls and wooden windows on both banks, plus the daily lives of residents. Where the water bus stops is Baijianlou, the most lively stretch of Nanxun. It was built by Dong Fen, the Ming Dynasty Minister of Rites, for his female relatives.

Little did he know that what started unintentionally would become Jiangnan's best-preserved riverside residential cluster. Along the 400-plus-meter canal, over a hundred old houses stand in a row, their dark tiles and white walls reflected in the water, like a scroll painting soaked in time, yet never fading. Finally, exit through the north gate to end this Nanxun day tour.

Nanxun isn't a place that makes you gasp and then forget. Long after you leave, you'll still recall the leisurely moments under the Baijianlou corridors, or the unique colors of those East-meets-West buildings.