A shot of some shops in the ancient town houses across the canal, with their reflections illuminated on the water in the canal …

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Nanxun is one of the numerous ancient water towns located near Shanghai in China. Although not as popular as its more famous ‘cousins’ Wuzhen and Zhouzhuang, it is less commercialised and more quiet. But it is an original and picturesque ancient water town established 750 years ago …

Walking along the canals of this ancient water town, you will feel like you are walking into the past of China. You will see a mix of canals, stone arch bridges, ancient stone/wooden buildings and narrow lanes, with weeping willows lining the banks of the canals in many places.

But no visit to Nanxun or any of the other ancient water towns can be complete without visiting them at night, when they are brightly lighted up and takes on a completely different ambience. Strolling along the canals in the cool nighttime air, with the ancient houses and trees illuminated by colourful lights and lanterns, the atmosphere is romantic and almost surreal …