CCTV named it 9 times! This Hakka ancient town with more local charm than Wuzhen, only 500 yuan per person
As an experienced traveler who has been all over China, I, Lao Gao, have discovered a treasure this time! Yangcun Ancient Town in Longnan, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, named by CCTV 9 times, hides the most authentic Hakka culture. It’s free from the noisy over-commercialization but rich with the weight of ancient enclosed buildings and the lively local markets, making it even more worth savoring slowly than Wuzhen. Today, I’ve put together a comprehensive 2-day, 1-night guide for you, covering transportation, accommodation, budget, and itinerary clearly!
📸 Must-visit spots to unlock the core experiences of Yangcun
1. Yanyi Enclosure | A living museum of Hakka enclosed buildings
As Yangcun’s signature landmark, this enclosure, built during the Qing Shunzhi period, is a “star building” featured on the show "National Treasure." Four high walls rise from the ground, and the four-story enclosure can house hundreds of families. Walking in the courtyard, you look up to a patch of blue sky framed by wooden beams, red lanterns gently swaying in the breeze, and elderly ladies sitting on doorsteps picking vegetables. Time here seems to slow down. Climb the lookout tower of the enclosure to overlook the entire ancient town with its gray tiles and white walls—every snapshot tells a story📸.
2. Taiping Bridge | A century-old covered bridge hidden among mountains and waters
Built in the Ming Dynasty, Taiping Bridge is another treasure not to be missed in Yangcun. The three-arched stone bridge spans the Yangcun River, with bluestone slabs polished smooth by time and wooden structures showing rustic textures. In the early morning mist, the bridge’s reflection in the emerald river looks like a flowing ink painting. At dusk, local elders sit at the bridgehead chatting and cooling off, children play by the river, filling the air with lively local life. The ancient dock nearby still preserves old stone steps, stepping on them feels like touching the bustling commerce of a century ago.
3. Yangcun Ancient Street | Immersive Hakka local market atmosphere
After visiting the enclosure and the ancient bridge, be sure to stroll through Yangcun’s market town ancient street. The bluestone road is flanked by well-preserved Hakka residences, with many local snack shops and handmade craft stalls. There’s no generic trendy milk tea here, but freshly made Yangcun black rice noodles, ban gai meatballs, and Hakka silver jewelry crafted live by old artisans. On market days (the 2nd, 5th, and 8th days of the lunar calendar), the street becomes bustling with local villagers selling homegrown fruits, vegetables, and homemade rice wine. The shouts and bargaining create the most touching scene of the ancient town.
📅 2-day, 1-night itinerary for a relaxed and thorough experience
Day 1: Arrive in Yangcun → In-depth tour of Yanyi Enclosure → Explore and eat on Ancient Street
· Morning: Depart from Longnan city center by shuttle or taxi to Yangcun, about 1 hour. Upon arrival, check into your guesthouse and rest briefly.
· Noon: Find a local restaurant in the market town to try Hakka specialties like meatball duck and pearl soup, and enjoy a bowl of sweet Yangcun rice wine.
· Afternoon: Focus on Yanyi Enclosure, listen to the history stories with a guide, climb the lookout tower for panoramic views, and try making Hakka lei cha (pounded tea) to experience intangible cultural heritage.
· Evening: Stroll through Yangcun Ancient Street. If it’s a market day, immerse yourself in the lively market atmosphere and buy local sweet potato snacks and Hakka ginger candy as souvenirs.
· Night: Find a night snack stall on the ancient street, enjoy a steaming bowl of black rice noodles, and feel the tranquility of the ancient town in the evening breeze.
Day 2: Morning view at Taiping Bridge → Visit nearby lesser-known enclosures → Return trip
· Early morning: Get up early to see the morning mist at Taiping Bridge. It’s less crowded and beautiful, perfect for photos without competition. You can also see locals washing clothes and fishing by the river.
· Morning: Visit nearby Wushi Enclosure and Tianxin Enclosure, which are less touristy and offer a deeper appreciation of Hakka architecture. Or sit in a teahouse in the market town, have a cup of tea, and chat with locals.
· Noon: Enjoy an authentic Hakka lunch with dishes like stir-fried dog meat with soybeans and stuffed tofu, and pack some ban gai meatballs for the road.
· Afternoon: Pack up and head back, ending a pleasant trip to Yangcun.
🚗 Transportation guide, multiple easy ways to get there
· High-speed train + shuttle: Take the high-speed train to Longnan Station, then transfer to the Yangcun special urban-rural bus line, about 1 hour, ticket price 10-12 yuan per person, last bus at 20:30, don’t miss it.
· Self-driving: About 2 hours from Ganzhou, about 4 hours from Guangzhou/Shenzhen. Navigate to “Longnan Yangcun Town.” There are free parking lots around the ancient town, very convenient.
· Getting around town: All core attractions are walkable. For places like Taiping Bridge a bit farther away, rent a shared electric scooter for 5 yuan/hour. From Friday to Sunday, there’s a “Dream-seeking Bus” for 5 yuan that covers all town attractions.
🏠 Accommodation recommendations, cost-effective choices without risk
· Market town guesthouses: Recommended to stay near Yangcun market town, just a few minutes’ walk to Yanyi Enclosure. Prices mostly range from 80-200 yuan/night, clean and tidy, some with courtyards to experience Hakka farmhouse style.
· Enclosure guesthouses: For those wanting an immersive experience of enclosure culture, choose unique guesthouses around Yanyi Enclosure. Some are renovated Hakka residences retaining wooden beams and blue tiles, slightly pricier but full of atmosphere.
· Note: During peak seasons (holidays, market days), book in advance. Some guesthouses offer Hakka breakfast, remember to ask the host beforehand.
💰 Budget reference, about 500 yuan per person for a thorough trip
Item Cost Reference Notes
Transportation High-speed train round trip (from Pearl River Delta) about 200 yuan/person; Longnan to Yangcun shuttle 24 yuan round trip Self-driving costs depend on fuel, better for groups to share
Accommodation 100-200 yuan/night/room About 50-100 yuan per person
Meals 30-50 yuan/meal/person, about 150 yuan for 2 days Local restaurants offer great value, snacks cost about 10 yuan per person
Tickets Most attractions like Yanyi Enclosure are free, some lesser-known enclosures charge 5-10 yuan Overall ticket expenses are very low
Others Souvenirs, experiences about 50 yuan/person Spend as needed
Overall, about 500 yuan per person can cover a 2-day, 1-night trip, making it easy even for students!
💡 Lao Gao’s thoughtful tips
1. Best travel time: Spring and autumn have comfortable weather, neither too cold nor hot. Market days (2nd, 5th, 8th of lunar calendar) offer the liveliest market atmosphere, check dates in advance.
2. Dressing advice: Wear light-colored, cotton-linen style clothes that match the enclosure and ancient bridge scenes perfectly for great photos.
3. Food tips: Avoid spending at trendy shops at the ancient town entrance. Local restaurants deeper inside offer authentic and affordable flavors. Follow locals for the best eats.
4. Cultural respect: Some enclosures still have residents. Keep quiet during visits and do not enter private spaces without permission.
This Hakka ancient town hidden on the Jiangxi-Guangdong border lacks Wuzhen’s commercial noise but has the most touching local life and the richest Hakka culture. Before it’s discovered by too many, bring this guide and come to Yangcun for a century-crossing enclosure rendezvous.