China - Day 3 - Manufacturing and Ancient Towns

October 15

I hope my husband still loves me when I come home 25 pounds heavier and with the news that I want to retire in the town of Nanxun China.


I am so confused. China was never a place I even had much of a desire to come to. And now that I am here I am in love. Yep, I love China. Well I love this part of China anyway. Today we finished up the negotiations, which actually went really well and were able to get the factory motivated toward cost reduction. In the next two months we should know just how successful this visit was. 


Kathy might just be my favorite person in China

Finishing up the visit at the factory

So we finished up our business at about 2 pm and so we got to do some sightseeing in the local area. Nanxun to be exact. Oh what a wonderful place Nanxun is. Here’s a description I stole from the internet.

Nanxun is a typical Chinese southern town in the north of neighbouring Zhejiang Province. It became a town during the Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279). The writers, artists and silk tycoons who once lived there are closely identified with this tiny town. Most of them were prominent in China's modern history. From Zhang Jingjiang - regarded by Sun Yat-sen as "the most outstanding person in China" and praised by Mao Zedong as "one who understands economics" to Xu Chi, a famous modern writer, generations of people born in this town made great contributions to the nation in various fields. Abundant architectural treasures were left in the town by such figures.

It is widely believed that Nanxun contains the largest group of ancient buildings of any of the southern water towns in China. Many heirs of the town's most prominent citizens still live in most of these buildings. It is not uncommon to find four or even five generations of a family living in one building.

The town is also famous for its old and unique private gardens. Some of China's first foreign traders lived here and they imposed western characteristics, especially in the private gardens.

Kathy and me in front of the Lotus Garden

On a boat ride through Nanxun

Yeah - I could live here

It was such a wonderful way to spend a Friday afternoon. We walked through the gardens, saw the library of wonderful collections. Took a boat ride through the canals of the town. Found fascination in the old silk factory and enjoyed a stroll through the town.

Oh and the 25 pounds is because they feed us soooo well. The factory has a cafeteria where we ate lunch and dinner both days we spent here. Food just keeps on coming. I’ve tried so many new and delicious things. Lotus flower, eel, lake shrimp, and vegetables that were to die for.  Not to mention the fried rice that was impossible to put down. I am stuffed! I am happy and I am loving China!

Delicious meals at the factory