A Two-Day Self-Driving Tour of Lanxi's National Protected Ancient Villages: A Route 90% Don't Know, Hiding the Most Authentic Jiangnan
Lanxi, a small Jiangnan city that is slow to its core and truly understands life.
Before setting off, I didn't have high expectations, only going for the fame of Youbu's "Jiangnan's First Morning Tea." Unexpectedly, the more I explored, the more captivated I became. Two days simply weren't enough. Those National Protected Ancient Villages hidden in the countryside were even more off-the-beaten-path and stunning, allowing me to avoid crowds and enjoy a thousand years of ancient charm all to myself.
Itinerary Overview
Self-driving offers maximum freedom, with no backtracking throughout the trip. Day one is for experiencing the ancient city's vibrancy and cultural heritage, while day two is for in-depth exploration of National Protected Ancient Villages, immersing yourself in Lanxi's historical fabric. You can organize and mark the detailed route map yourself; direct navigation by car is super convenient.
DAY 1 Depart from Jinhua, Encounter the Charm of the Ancient City and its Vibrant Life
🗺️ Itinerary: Jinhua Museum → Lanxi Ancient City → Jiezi Garden → Lanxi City Museum → Youbu Ancient Town
Starting from Jinhua, head towards Lanxi. The first day focuses on urban culture + ancient town relaxation, allowing you to recharge for the ancient village exploration on the second day.
🌟 Jinhua Museum
Just a 5-minute drive from Jinhua High-Speed Rail Station, this is the first stop to understand Jinhua's regional culture. It boasts a rich collection, showcasing Jinhua's historical development from prehistoric civilization to modern times. After visiting the museum, a food hub is just around the corner, where you can try local specialties like Jinhua crispy cakes, Yiwu brown sugar products, and Lanxi Jizi Guo (egg pancakes) – a delightful experience of strolling and eating.
🌟 Lanxi Ancient City
The first must-visit stop upon arriving in Lanxi is the Ancient City. The main street is dotted with many antique and cultural shops, where vendors operate in a laid-back manner, often playing mahjong when business is slow, exuding a leisurely, everyday charm. The real surprises are hidden in the deep alleys on both sides of the main street, where well-preserved ancient residences with white walls, black tiles, and carved wooden windows show traces of time everywhere. Deng Chao's film "Looking Up" was also filmed here. Strolling through, you can easily capture retro-style blockbusters.
🌟 Jiezi Garden + Lanxi City Museum
These two attractions are adjacent and can be visited together, saving time and increasing efficiency. Jiezi Garden is a classical garden built to commemorate Li Yu, a Qing Dynasty playwright known as the "Oriental Shakespeare." The garden's layout is exquisite, with pavilions, terraces, small bridges, and flowing water, embodying Jiangnan elegance and offering excellent photo opportunities. The adjacent Lanxi City Museum provides a deep dive into Lanxi's Three Rivers culture, ancient village history, and folk customs, making it a must-visit for history and culture enthusiasts.
🌟 Youbu Ancient Town
To easily experience Youbu's morning tea on the second day, we chose to stay in the ancient town directly. In the evening, Youbu is less bustling than during the day. The bluestone paths, ancient bridges, flowing water, and old riverside buildings reveal the tranquility of a Jiangnan ancient town, allowing you to experience this slow pace in advance and set the stage for the next day's morning tea journey.
DAY 2 Tracing Ancient Villages, Exploring Lanxi's National Protected Gems
🗺️ Itinerary: Youbu Morning Tea → Xiamengtang Village → Xijiang Village → Shefeng Village → Zhuge Bagua Village → Changle Ancient Village → Zhiyan Ancient Village → Sanquan Ancient Village
Today focuses entirely on Lanxi's lesser-known National Protected Ancient Villages. Most of these villages are unfamiliar to many, devoid of commercial hustle, offering only authentic ancient architecture and nostalgic charm. Every ancestral hall, every brick and tile, holds a rich history.
✅ Youbu Morning Tea
The soul of Youbu lies in its morning tea, a tradition passed down for thousands of years. 5:00–9:00 AM is the liveliest period, with old-timers gathering around tables, drinking tea and chatting, full of life. Nowadays, with more tourists, shops are open all day, so you don't need to rush early to experience it at a leisurely pace. Order a cup of strong tea, paired with specialties like Jizi Guo (egg pancakes), Rou Chenzi (meat dumplings), and small wontons, to savor the most authentic Jiangnan breakfast culture.
✅ National Protected Ancestral Halls Collection (in itinerary order)
1. Xiamengtang Village — Shangzu Ancestral Hall
Built in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, it is the ancestral hall of the local Xu family and is listed as a seventh batch National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. The ancestral hall's architecture is well-regulated, with exquisite wood and brick carvings, showcasing the architectural characteristics of Jiangnan ancestral halls during the Ming and Qing dynasties, quietly narrating the rise and fall of the Xu family.
2. Xijiang Ancient Village — Xijiang Ancestral Hall
Built during the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty, it was highly praised by the renowned ancient architect Luo Zhewen as the "**largest and most culturally valuable private ancestral temple in the country**," also a seventh batch National Protected Unit. The ancestral hall is grand in scale, with intricate architectural structures and ancient, robust beam and pillar carvings, demonstrating the superb craftsmanship of ancient artisans. Walking through it, one can truly feel the magnificent aura of Jiangnan folk ancestral halls.
3. Shefeng Village — Jiqing Hall
Initially built during the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty, it underwent renovations during the Kangxi and Qianlong reigns of the Qing Dynasty and remains well-preserved after several centuries. The ancient stage inside the hall is still in use today, hosting traditional operas during festivals, perfectly blending ancient architecture with folk customs. It is a seventh batch National Protected Unit and an excellent place to experience Jiangnan's ancient stage culture.
4. Zhuge Bagua Village + Changle Ancient Village
These two ancient villages are closely adjacent, and their ancient residential complexes were jointly designated as a fourth batch National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, allowing for a combined visit. Zhuge Bagua Village, as its name suggests, is laid out according to the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams formation, with Zhongchi Pond at its core and eight small alleys radiating outwards. Eight small mountains surround the village, forming a natural outer Eight Trigrams. It is the largest settlement of Zhuge Liang's descendants in the country, and its labyrinthine layout is full of mystery. Changle Ancient Village complements it, with well-arranged ancient residences and profound cultural heritage, showcasing the pristine beauty of Jiangnan ancient villages.
5. Zhiyan Ancient Village — Nine Halls and One Street
Founded in the Song Dynasty, it is a highly representative ancient post road village in Lanxi. With the ancient post road as its central axis, nine Ming and Qing dynasty halls are distributed, forming the unique "Nine Halls and One Street" pattern, listed as a sixth batch National Protected Unit. The ancient village is nestled by mountains and rivers, with well-preserved old streets, ancient bridges, ancestral halls, and residences. Strolling along the ancient post road, it feels as if you can travel back to the prosperous times of ancient merchants and travelers.
6. Sanquan Ancient Village — Shide Hall
Built in the Southern Song Dynasty to commemorate two generals who sacrificed their lives for justice during the anti-Yuan resistance, it is a seventh batch National Protected Unit. The ancestral hall's architecture is ancient and solemn, embodying deep patriotic sentiments. Ancient trees tower in the courtyard, creating a solemn atmosphere, where one can appreciate the charm of Southern Song ancient architecture and feel the loyal and righteous spirit of the ancestors.
⚠️ Practical Notes
1. Visiting Hours: Most National Protected Units in ancient villages close after 5:00 PM. Be sure to plan your itinerary reasonably and allow sufficient visiting time to avoid wasted trips.
2. Opening Method: If you encounter a closed National Protected building, don't worry. Contact numbers for cultural relic protectors and village secretaries will be posted on the public notice board at the entrance. Simply call to arrange a visit.
3. Ticket Information: The entire trip offers excellent value. Only Zhuge Bagua Village requires an entrance fee, and Changle Ancient Village charges for museum visits. All other ancient villages and National Protected ancestral halls are open free of charge, allowing you to explore Jiangnan's National Protected ancient villages at no cost.
4. Additional Ancient Village Recommendations: Lanxi has many more National Protected ancient villages. If you have ample time, you can stay an extra day and visit Dudou Village (Yuqing Hall, built in Ming Dynasty, seventh batch National Protected) and Tashan Village (Tongzhou Bridge from Qing Dynasty, eighth batch National Protected) to discover more hidden gems.
5. Rural Tip: Dogs in ancient villages rarely see strangers. If a dog barks, do not run. Stay calm and walk away slowly; otherwise, you might be chased. Safety first.
Self-Driving Tips
Lanxi's ancient villages are scattered, so self-driving is the most convenient way to travel. The road conditions are good, and most villages have free parking spaces nearby. Simply enter the ancient village name into your navigation system for precise arrival. Enjoy a relaxed and immersive exploration of Lanxi's lesser-known National Protected ancient villages, unlocking the undiscovered ancient charm of Jiangnan.