2026 Rucheng Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in August)

Heshui Town, Rucheng, Hunan hides the secret realm of the hottest hot spring in South China! 【Travel Guide】 🚗 Transportation: Drive to Heshui Town, Rucheng (2 hours from Chenzhou), or take a bus to Rucheng and then transfer. 🏨 Accommodation: Stay at a hot spring guesthouse, open the window to see the mist over Tang River. 【Main Attractions】 ✅ Tang River nude bathing: A thousand-year-old folk custom, the smoky atmosphere in the morning mist is so healing; ✅ Heshui River drifting: After soaking in the hot spring, go drifting—an icy and fiery contrast! 【Special Experiences】 Cook eggs or blanch vegetables with hot spring water, hold a sweet potato and squat by the pool to eat; soak in the outdoor hot spring pool at night, watching the starry sky wrapped in white mist. 【Suggested Itinerary】 1 day: Morning visit Hongjun Pool → noon cook with hot spring water → afternoon drifting → night hot spring soak. 【Tips】 The hot spring water temperature exceeds 90°C, don’t touch it directly! Bring a pair of slippers, the stone path is hot on your feet~ This is not a trendy check-in spot, but a corner that holds the warmth of life. When you squat by Hongjun Pool and see locals washing clothes with hot spring water, you’ll understand that the warmest thing is never the water temperature, but the human warmth in the everyday life. Would you travel to such a small town for a bowl of hot spring-cooked sweet potatoes? Let’s chat in the comments~

Suddenly wanted to soak in a hot spring over the weekend but didn’t want to go to those overcrowded popular spots, so my bestie and I casually searched and unexpectedly locked onto Rucheng, an outrageously low-key little town. Only after arriving did we understand why the locals don’t want to share it at all. · The moment we entered the town, everyone was stunned. The whole valley was shrouded in mist, the riverside looked like a fairyland effect was turned on, the air was warm, and the breeze was soft. Locals directly boil eggs and chestnuts in the spring water, sipping tea while chatting with us, the atmosphere was so relaxed it felt like going back home. There were many small riverside stalls with wooden tubs for foot baths, the price was reasonable, steam rising up, and after soaking, your whole body instantly relaxed. · If you visit Rucheng for hot springs, missing out on Guanxi Hot Spring is really a loss. The hot spring area is deep in the valley, the higher you go, the quieter it gets, you can clearly hear the sound of wind blowing through the leaves. We soaked in a small pool near a bamboo grove, the spring water was just the right warmth, sitting in it relaxed your shoulders and tongue, and there was also a hydration area inside. Drinking ginger tea and zoning out slowly, time seemed to slow down. · I have to praise the accommodation. We chose a twin room with a private soaking pool at Guanxi Hot Spring Hotel, the floor-to-ceiling window faced distant mountains, and at night without lights it was like a painting. After showering, we soaked in the room’s hot spring for a second round, chatting and gossiping while soaking, looking up to see a sky full of stars, so rare that we didn’t even want to touch our phones. · The best part of the whole trip was— it’s really not crowded here. It’s a three to four-hour drive from Guangdong, no traffic jams, no noise, not expensive, and the food is very honest. Unlike commercial scenic spots with dense development, it’s more like a “hot spring town in everyday life,” very clean, very comfortable, and very relaxing. · 📍Rucheng Hot Water Town Guanxi Hot Spring

Last week, I took the kids to Rucheng, Hunan, and discovered a perfect natural hot spring spot for families—Guanxi Hot Spring. We had so much fun for three days and two nights that we didn’t want to leave! · 📍Rucheng Hot Water Town Guanxi Hot Spring Villa · This time we stayed in a villa at Guanxi Hot Spring Villa, featuring Huizhou architectural style, with a private hot spring pool and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the mountains. The kids excitedly ran to the balcony as soon as they entered~ Each villa has a private soaking pool. At night, the whole family soaked in the natural radon hot spring while stargazing. The water temperature was just right, relaxing both body and mind. · ♨ The hot spring center is right inside the villa area, just a few minutes’ walk away. Over 30 outdoor soaking pools are hidden among bamboo groves and valleys, with plenty of options including children’s play pools, health pools, and mid-mountain pools. The hot spring water is a genuine 98°C spring, rich in radon. After soaking, the skin feels smooth, and the kids aren’t afraid of dryness while playing in the water. · 🍳 During the day, try “hot spring egg boiling” by the Hot Water River—putting eggs into the natural spring vents really cooks them! The kids were amazed~ There are also herbal foot baths by the river and local snacks for sale at reasonable prices without gouging. · ✨ Other experiences: ✅ Free shuttle between the villas and Guanxi Hot Spring Hotel near Hot Water River ✅ Swimming pool + fish therapy + stone slab bath, kids had a blast ✅ KTV and chess room, so parents aren’t bored either ✅ Free snacks and tea supplies, so thoughtful · Compared to hot spring hotels I’ve visited before, this place feels more natural and peaceful, like a healing secret hidden in the valley. The kids said, “Mom, can we come stay here again next time?”

When visiting Rucheng for a short trip, don’t just chase popular attractions! Hidden in the city, Leishui Park is a local favorite for relaxation. It’s quiet and intimate, with a great atmosphere, perfect for a leisurely stroll to enjoy the scenery. The park is built along the Leishui River, with lush greenery lining the entire riverbank. A smooth riverside trail runs the full length. The evening breeze is gentle, the water sparkles, and there’s no crowded foot traffic—only soothing mountain and water views. The plants along the shore are arranged naturally, offering photo spots everywhere. Every snapshot captures a fresh, natural vibe. This place is far from city noise, with a particularly slow pace. You can take a morning walk or jog to breathe fresh air. In the evening, enjoy the riverside breeze and watch the sunset dye the water, gentle and healing. The park’s facilities are well maintained, and the paths are clean and tidy, ideal for family outings, couples’ walks, or solo relaxation. No need to rush or travel far. Sit quietly by the river in Leishui Park, slowly enjoy the river view, and immerse yourself in the peaceful everyday life of Rucheng. This is the most comfortable way to experience a short trip.

In the quiet and gentle town of Rucheng, there is always a spot of mountain and water that can heal all your fatigue✨. Leishan Park stands by Leishan Mountain and rests beside the Leishui River. It’s a local secret, a gentle and off-the-beaten-path park with no crowds—only green mountains, clear water, fresh breezes, and lush plants, gently showcasing the town’s most peaceful side🍃. This place is not only scenic but also rich in cultural heritage🏞️. Legend has it that this is the origin of Shennong’s creation of the plow and hoe. The Leishui River quietly flows through the town, carrying a deep sense of history. The entire park is open with no walls, covering more than 200 acres. The views are wide and clear, with layers of greenery that reveal a different gentle beauty in every season🌷. The moment you step into the park, the heat instantly fades away💨. Healing green fills your sight. Tall trees with lush branches spread cool shade. Clean, winding paths weave through the woods. The smooth, comfortable walkways are perfect for walking, jogging, or leisurely strolling🚶‍♀️. Flowers and plants grow along both sides of the paths, with tiny blossoms swaying in the breeze, full of life. Every snapshot you take is fresh and soothing📸. The park’s huge lawn is truly irresistible💚! The soft, even grass is lush and green. Sunlight filters through, casting gentle, dappled shadows. On weekends, many people bring their kids to run, fly kites, or lay out picnic blankets for a rest. A light breeze blows, making it comfortable and cozy, filled with a sense of everyday happiness🥰. Follow the path forward to the gentle Leishui Riverbank🌊. The river flows slowly, sparkling and clear, soothing to the soul. Sitting on the stone steps by the river, you can hear the water’s gentle murmur and the rustling breeze, watching clouds drift across the blue sky. All the anxiety, irritability, and fatigue of life slowly fade away in this moment, leaving your heart calm and peaceful☁️. A slow walk up the small hill inside the park unlocks the best views in the entire area👀. In the distance, soft, rolling green mountains stretch out. Up close, the lush garden scenery surrounds you. Mountains and water embrace each other, plants and trees intertwine, creating layers of scenery like a slowly unfolding Jiangnan landscape painting🎨. Occasionally, birds fly low, adding a touch of life and vitality to the quiet mountains and waters. Leishan Park is fresh and healing by day, and even more gentle at dusk🌇. The sunset’s afterglow spills over the river and woods, bathing the whole park in warm golden light. The evening breeze is cool, the air fresh. Walking, digesting, and watching the sunset is a unique romance and gentleness belonging to the people of Rucheng. No ticket needed, no long trip required—this mountain and water retreat is right on the city’s edge✅. You can bring kids, relax, take photos, or just clear your mind. If you’re tired of the city’s noise, come visit Leishan Park🌿 Feel the evening breeze by the Leishui River, see the town’s green mountains and clear water, and in ordinary days, embrace your own gentleness and healing.

Hunan’s 800-year-old village! "Seven stars accompany the moon" layout + nationally protected ancestral halls, free to visit If I hadn’t stood on the small hill at the village entrance and looked down, I might never have understood what "seven stars accompany the moon" means. Jinshan ancient village in Rucheng, just 7 km from the county seat, made me doubt the navigation—it’s really that close? But the moment I turned in, the centuries-old bluestone paths, horse-head walls, and carved gate towers all came into view at once, and I realized: this place is the real deal. The village has been around for more than 820 years and still perfectly preserves six Ming and Qing ancestral halls, including the Ye family’s Dunben Hall and the Lu family’s Xulun Hall. Dunben Hall and Xulun Hall are nationally protected cultural relics. There are also 95 Ming and Qing ancient residences. Villages of this scale in southern Hunan are rare, and the best part is—no entrance fee, and the main ancestral halls are free to enter. Why it’s called a living folk residence museum The layout of Jinshan ancient village is deliberate. At the center of the village is a crescent-shaped pond, surrounded by seven ancient ancestral halls arranged like the Big Dipper constellation, hence the name "seven stars accompany the moon." This pattern is clearest when viewed from the small hill at the village entrance, and even more impressive from aerial shots, but I prefer to see it with my own eyes—after all, this feng shui layout took the ancients hundreds of years to perfect. Upon entering the village, head straight to the Lu family’s Xulun Hall. The four characters "Famous family of southern Chu" on the lintel are said to come from a poem by Tang Emperor Zhaozong. This building, originally constructed in the 33rd year of the Wanli reign (1606), features an extraordinary three-layer openwork carving of twin dragons playing with a pearl on the main gate beam. The dragon scales, eyes, and water patterns were all hand-carved with a single knife, and the paintwork remains vivid after more than 400 years. I stood there staring for nearly 10 minutes. The elderly guardian nearby smiled and said, "Young man, you’re amazed, aren’t you?" The Ye family’s Dunben Hall was built during the Hongzhi period of the Ming dynasty (1488), more than a hundred years earlier than the Lu family’s hall. The main gate is one of the "three and a half main gates" in Rucheng folklore. The bluestone threshold has been polished smooth by generations of villagers sitting on it. The camphor wood relief couplets on either side of the courtyard entrance are faded, but the couplet "The land divides southeast with green oranges and yellow pomelos, daring to think differently but never forgetting the true origin. The sky shares the deep lakes and vast seas of Chu and Yue, all tracing back to the same great source" clearly tells the story of the Ye family’s migration from Nanxiong, Guangdong. Besides the two nationally protected ancestral halls, the Li family’s Longxi Hall, Dade Hall, Xianzheng Hall, and Biejia Residence each have their own highlights. The "Wenwu family" plaque on the Biejia Residence gate and the pairs of flagpole stones from the Qianlong era in front of Dade Hall are authentic historical artifacts. Fans of ancient architecture should allow plenty of time to explore. Best times to visit for photos I’ve been twice, once in July and once in November. The different seasons offer completely different vibes. June–August lotus season: Outside the village, thousands of acres of lotus ponds are in full bloom. The pink and white lotus flowers against the blue bricks and black tiles of the ancestral halls make for stunning photos even without filters, especially if you wear light-colored Hanfu and stand by the pond. The lotus boardwalk winds into the fields, where you can pick lotus pods and taste fresh lotus seeds, sweet and refreshing. The light is softest around 4 or 5 PM, and the sunset on the horse-head walls is perfect for photos. November–December ginkgo season: The ancient ginkgo trees at the village entrance and around the ancestral halls turn yellow, and fallen leaves cover the bluestone paths, crunching underfoot. There are fewer visitors at this time, making it ideal for leisurely strolls through the alleys and listening to the wind through the courtyards. To avoid crowds, visit before 9 AM or after 4 PM on weekdays. The slanting sunlight in the ancestral hall courtyards creates especially rich light and shadow effects. Practical information (tested and reliable) · Address: Jinshan Village, Tuqiao Town, Rucheng County, Chenzhou City, Hunan Province · Tickets: No entrance fee for the village. Dunben Hall, Xulun Hall, and other main ancestral halls are free to visit · Opening hours: The ancient village is open all day. Ancestral halls are generally open 8:30 AM–5:00 PM, subject to onsite notices · Transportation: · Self-drive: Navigate to "Rucheng Jinshan Village." About 7 km from Rucheng county seat, roughly 15 minutes by car · Bus: Take a shuttle or taxi from Rucheng county seat to Tuqiao Town Jinshan Village · Private car: Attractions in Rucheng are spread out, so private car tours are more convenient · Suggested visit duration: Allow at least 3 hours to thoroughly explore the ancestral halls, lotus ponds, and ancient alleys · Must-try food: The village has farmhouse restaurants. Recommended dishes include Rucheng stuffed tofu, stir-fried dried bamboo shoots with cured meat, and lotus leaf meatballs. In the county seat, try Tuqiao rice noodles and bean paste buns · Accommodation: The village has nearly 10 leisure farms and guesthouses, including Yulianxuan and Duxiu Homestay. You can also stay in Rucheng county seat for more options A few honest reminders First, don’t touch the wood carvings in the ancestral halls. The openwork is as thin as paper and fragile. Second, bring mosquito repellent during lotus season in summer—I got bitten badly last time because I forgot. Third, some old houses are still inhabited by villagers. Please ask politely before taking photos. Most elders are friendly and happy to share family stories. Jinshan ancient village isn’t an over-commercialized internet-famous town. There are no wholesale creative shops from Yiwu or loud hawkers. What you hear is the wind over the lotus ponds, the sound of elders picking vegetables in the ancestral hall courtyards, and the village as it has been for 800 years. If you happen to be visiting Dongjiang Lake or Gaoyiling in Chenzhou, consider spending half a day in Rucheng. There are no overwhelming crowds here, just an ancient village patiently waiting for you to explore slowly.

A hidden gem in Rucheng, Chenzhou, this mountain paradise sits at 1,600 m elevation. Free! Free! Free! Important things said three times~  ✨ Why recommend Baiyunxian? 🌅 Stunning sea of clouds sunrise The best viewing time is 5:30–7:00 AM. The highest chance to see the sea of clouds is from June to September. Standing on the mountaintop watching the clouds roll by as the sun slowly rises is truly healing. If you’re lucky, you might even see a Buddha’s light! 🌬️ Giant wind turbine array White wind turbines stand tall across the rolling alpine meadows. Every photo looks like a masterpiece. At sunset, the turbines against the evening glow create a romantic scene at full effect 💫 📿 Baiyunxian temple for blessings At the summit is the Baiyunxian temple, where it’s said the three Wang brothers attained immortality during the Tang dynasty. Inside are three main halls for praying for children, wealth, and official positions, rumored to be very effective. In front of the temple is the “Moon Well Spring” with sacred water to take. The temple is busiest with incense on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month! 🪂 Aviation camp experience For the adventurous, try paragliding or hot air balloon rides (weather permitting) to get a breathtaking aerial view of the alpine grasslands!   🚗 Transportation guide Recommended self-driving (most convenient) · Navigate to “Rucheng Baiyunxian wind farm” or “Baiyunxian aviation flying flower sea” · The tourist road is completed, easy for cars to reach the viewing platform · About 1 hour drive from Rucheng town · Free parking! Public transportation · Take a shuttle from Rucheng town to Jingpo or Xiaoyuan Yao ethnic town, then charter a car up the mountain · Round-trip charter from town costs about 120 yuan   ⏰ Best time to visit Season Highlights Spring (Apr–May) Fresh grass sprouts, hills covered with azaleas Summer (Jun–Sep) Highest chance for sea of clouds sunrise, perfect summer retreat Autumn (Oct) Clear skies, best visibility Winter Frosty rime scenery, uniquely charming   💡 Practical tips ✅ Must bring: windbreaker (big temperature difference at the summit), sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, plenty of water and snacks (no shops on the mountain) ✅ Suggested visit duration: 3–4 hours. For camping and stargazing, stay overnight ✅ Hiking route: fit visitors can hike from near Xiaoyuan town police station, about 2 hours ✅ Photo spots: wind turbine cluster, viewing platform, Baiyunxian temple entrance, sea of clouds sunrise point   🏨 Accommodation recommendation When visiting Rucheng, stay at Shangkuyu Hotel. It’s very conveniently located, with spacious and comfortable rooms, a hearty breakfast, zero-pressure mattresses, and robot service. After climbing the mountain, rest well for the next day’s adventures.   Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ No long hikes needed, car access to the summit, few crowds, beautiful scenery, and free entry. Definitely one of the most worthwhile alpine secret spots in southern Hunan! Invite friends for a spontaneous sea of clouds getaway this weekend~

Santai Mountain in Guidong is a provincial forest park and a national 3A-level tourist attraction, known as the "back garden" of Guidong. It features beautiful natural scenery and a rich red cultural heritage, making it a great place for leisure and summer retreats. Wenfeng Tower is a seven-story octagonal stone tower built in the Ming Dynasty, offering panoramic views of the entire county from the top. Other attractions include the Flying Tigers hero Robert’s memorial tomb, the revolutionary martyrs monument, the Lianxi Academy ruins, Santai Temple, and Weaver Girl Lake.

The Zhou family ancestral hall in Rucheng, also known as Xulun Hall, is located in Xianfeng village, Yongfeng township (now Tuqiao town), Rucheng county, Chenzhou city, Hunan province. It is an important part of the ancient ancestral hall complex in Rucheng. The ancestral hall was first built during the Wanli period of the Ming dynasty, with a history of more than 400 years. The architectural layout faces south with the main entrance to the north, following the traditional design of three bays wide, three rooms deep, and two courtyards, covering an area of about 468 square meters. The main structure is brick and wood, with a hard mountain roof decorated with drip gutters. The beam supports feature wood lattice carvings, bracket sets, sparrow tail braces, and painted humpback purlin boards, showcasing the exquisite folk carving art of Hunan during the Ming and Qing dynasties. On the right wall of the main hall is embedded the "Grain Accumulation Association Stele" from the second year of the Qing Xuantong era (1910), which records clan affairs and social customs of the time. It is a nationally protected key cultural relic.

Yongfeng village (formerly Xianfeng village) has been home to the Zhou family since the reign of Emperor Ningzong of the Southern Song dynasty, developing for over 800 years. The village faces east and preserves 95 buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties and 121 buildings from the Republic of China era. The Zhou family ancestral hall and temple in the village are listed among the Rucheng ancestral halls and are nationally protected cultural relics. The village is recognized as a Chinese historical and cultural village and is part of the fifth batch of China’s traditional villages.

Beishui Village is a traditional ancient village with a history of over 600 years, founded in the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties. Historically, Beishui Village was an important water and land cargo transfer station for the three provinces of Hunan, Guangdong, and Jiangxi, developing commerce based on the Oujiang water system. The entire village was relocated to a new site in 1987 due to the construction of the Dongjiang Hydropower Station, but the original site of the ancient village still fully preserves its traditional layout and historical appearance. There are more than 70 existing ancient residences with blue bricks and black tiles, covering about 12,000 square meters. The village also preserves historical relics such as the Qing dynasty cobblestone cargo passage, ancient alleys, Chengjiang Bridge (a Ming dynasty stone arch bridge), and eighteen granaries. The architectural carvings are exquisite, blending the distinctive southern Hunan techniques of clay carving, wood carving, and stone carving. It is part of the fifth batch of China’s traditional villages.

Huang family ancestral hall was first built in the first year of Zhishun in the Yuan dynasty (1330). The hall faces east with its back to the west and consists of Ming Pond, the main gate, courtyard, Hongmen Tower, and main hall. The main hall has three bays, four rows, and three courtyards, featuring a high flat roof decorated with a grand Hongmen Tower and triple fireproof mountain walls. It is a brick and wood structure covering more than 476 square meters. The carving craftsmanship is exquisite, especially the wood and stone carvings, which reflect the carving art style and level of the Ming and Qing dynasties in Hunan. It is the longest ancestral hall in depth and has the most hall pillars in Rucheng, holding a significant position among the many ancient ancestral halls in Rucheng. It is a key cultural relic protection unit in Hunan Province.

Dongxi Village Shuidong ancient residences were completed in the 58th year of the Kangxi reign in the Qing Dynasty (1719). The complex consists of the main gate, 18 main houses (including one ancestral hall), enclosed houses, a civil and military school, and a rear garden, covering about eight acres. The main courtyard faces east with the rear courtyard facing south. The main axis ends at the village ancestral hall, known as the "Five Osmanthus Hall" because the ancestor Zhu Juncheng had five sons, all of whom became successful scholars: one passed the imperial examination at the highest level, two passed the provincial level, and two passed the county level. The front features the main gate, with three symmetrical parallel axes, five courtyards deep with four rows of main houses, and two rows of three main houses side by side in the rear courtyard. The doors, windows, coffered ceilings, and partitions of the ancient residences are decorated with patterns of flowers, birds, figures, utensils, and inscriptions, using relief carving, openwork carving, and round carving techniques with precise composition and exquisite craftsmanship. The main gate is a six-column archway, one of Rucheng’s famous "three and a half" main gates, symbolizing literary fortune. The Shuidong ancient residences are large in scale, grand in architecture, and rich in cultural heritage, making them one of the best-preserved ancient residence groups in Rucheng County. It is listed as a fourth batch Chinese traditional village.

Yong'an village's history dates back to the Song dynasty. Records show that the He family ancestor settled here during the Jingde period of the Northern Song dynasty, nearly 1,000 years ago. The village preserves more than 150 ancient residences from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, mostly in the traditional southern Hunan "Yinziwu" style, featuring brick and wood structures, gray brick exterior walls, and exquisite interior wood carvings. The village lanes crisscross with varied widths, originally paved mainly with bluestone slabs and cobblestones, reflecting a rustic charm. In addition, the village includes public buildings such as the He family ancestral hall and the central pavilion (built in 1748). The most notable historical relic in Yong'an village is the "Yong'an enclosure." This defensive fortress was built in 1861, during the Xianfeng reign of the Qing dynasty, transformed from the original Shuikou nunnery to defend against bandits and warfare at the time. Unfortunately, it was demolished in the 1970s. It is part of the fifth batch of China's traditional villages.

The history of Xingcun village dates back to the mid to late Southern Song dynasty. The founding ancestor, Wenyuan Gong, established the village, which has since flourished for more than 30 generations, spanning over 800 years. The village name comes from a beautiful legend: after the ancestors settled here, several elders discussed the location for the ancestral temple and saw a shooting star fall into the thorn bushes west of the village, so they named it "Xingcun" (Star Village). As a typical ancient village in southern Hunan, Xingcun has preserved a complete clan social structure and cultural traditions. It is a traditional village where the He family clans live together. The village is nestled by mountains and water, with a rich cultural heritage. The ancient architecture includes the He family ancestral temple, originally built in the Song dynasty and perfected during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The interior is divided into three levels, with the highest level called the "Xulun Hall," used for clan worship and banquets. In front of the ancestral temple is a rare chicken blood stone, and the stone drums at the entrance are smooth and rounded from years of wear. Sima archway; built by He Zhishi, a descendant of Dagongfang, when he was promoted to Sima, it is a three-story stone archway with exquisite carvings, honoring his virtue and talent. Ming dynasty minister Zhang Juzheng once wrote a couplet for He Zhishi: "Pure as ice and jade, praised by officials and commoners alike; well-versed in literature, heroic across ancient and modern times." The village also preserves five ancestral halls, ancient shrines, and many Ming and Qing dynasty residences. Fifth batch of China’s traditional villages.

Tuqiao Li family ancestral hall, also known as "Yuanxun Residence," was built in the second year of the Ming dynasty’s Zhengtong reign (1437). It has a facade of three bays, three courtyards, and two skylights, covering an area of 364 square meters. The Li family ancestral hall features a simple architectural style and beautiful decorations, with wood carvings and paintings of very high quality. Inside the hall is a surviving Ming dynasty carved blue stone stele of an imperial edict. The front center is embossed with the characters for imperial edict, flanked by dragon patterns. The back center is embossed with the characters for grace and honor, flanked by phoenix patterns. Above the main gate hangs a plaque inscribed with “Imperially bestowed iron certificate.” The shrine in the upper hall displays a plaque inscribed with “By imperial decree.” The beams and columns inside the hall are decorated with numerous couplets. Seventeen stone steles from the Ming and Qing dynasties are embedded in the walls, engraved with records and names of donors. These all indicate the hall’s special historical significance and rich cultural heritage. In the 20th year of the Hongwu reign, Zhu Yuanzhang awarded Li Xing for his military achievements by pardoning the Guang’an military camp, establishing a thousand-household unit, and issuing official seals and an iron certificate, ordering Li Xing to “forever guard this land, with descendants inheriting it.” As a result, Li Xing’s clan settled and thrived in Guang’an. In the second year of the Zhengtong reign, the court officially named the Li family ancestral hall “Yuanxun Residence.” It is a nationally protected key cultural relic.

Also known as "Zhaojing Residence," the Zhou clan ancestral hall is located in Xianfeng village, Yongfeng township. It was built in the 18th year of the Chenghua reign in the Ming dynasty (1482). The brick and wood structure is three bays wide, three rooms deep, with two courtyards, covering an area of 408 square meters. The gate tower is extremely grand, featuring a high-pitched roof with double eaves, colorful painted dougong brackets shaped like seven jumps of ruyi, and a Hongmen gate tower. The walls on both sides have two-tier painted fireproof mountain walls with capped pedestals. A plaque inscribed with "Imperial decree" hangs on the lintel, referring to the court’s commendation of Zhou Ruyao, the ninth-generation ancestor of the Zhou clan, for donating grain to relieve famine and help the poor. Therefore, the lintel bears a large gilded inscription of "Zhaojing Residence" in yangwen script. On both sides of the main gate, the eight-character walls are inscribed with the four characters "Loyalty, filial piety, integrity, and honor," imitating the handwriting of Zhu Xi. The architectural layout imitates that of a Confucian temple, with straight and deep alleys on both sides of the ancestral hall inscribed with "Gate of rites" and "Path of righteousness." In front of the worship courtyard is a Ming-style pond modeled after the "Pan pool." The ancestral hall’s decoration is grand and elegant, with couplets on the beams and columns and plaques inscribed by famous people hanging under the crossbeams. It is a nationally protected key cultural relic.

Zhenwu Pavilion was originally built in the mid-Ming Zhengde period (1511–1561) as a protective facility for the village. It has undergone multiple repairs throughout history, with expansions in the 28th year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1763) and the 24th year of Jiaqing (1809). It was later damaged by bandits and rebuilt in the 3rd year of Tongzhi (1864). The building is a two-story pavilion facing east with a pointed roof covered in green tiles and flying eaves at the four corners. It consists of a front gate, courtyard, and pavilion. Its walls are uniquely constructed from cobblestones, featuring arched doors and hollow windows. Inside, there were originally red-painted coiled dragon pillars; although worn by time, one pillar still retains its original color and patterns. The pavilion currently houses the Wutong stele, which records the rise and fall of Zhenwu Pavilion in detail. It is a key cultural relic protection unit in Hunan Province.

The He family ancestral hall was first built in the Ming dynasty. The building faces northeast and sits southwest, featuring a brick and wood beam structure with three bays, two halls, and two courtyards. The building covers an area of about 300 square meters. The gate tower has a double-eaved Xieshan roof with a three-level horse-head gable wall (fireproof wall), which provides fire protection and adds architectural layers. ‌Decoration craft‌: The interior decoration of the ancestral hall is exquisite. The main beam is carved with a “double dragons playing with a pearl” pattern. The beams, columns, curved eaves, and lattice doors are covered with colorful paintings and carvings, showcasing the superb skills of ancient craftsmen. In front of the ancestral hall is a lotus pond, with a pair of flagpole stones on each side of the pond. The He family ancestral hall is a Ming dynasty ancient building that combines history, art, and clan culture. It holds great significance for understanding the architectural history and folk culture of southern Hunan. It is a key cultural relic in Chenzhou city.

Lianxi Academy is located southwest of Rucheng city center. It was founded in the 13th year of Jiading during the reign of Emperor Ningzong of the Song Dynasty (1220) to honor the Northern Song Neo-Confucian scholar Zhou Dunyi. The academy is a brick-and-wood structure modeled after the Song Dynasty courtyard style, covering an area of 3,050 square meters. It currently has more than 30 rooms, arranged in a well-planned and harmonious layout. The front faces Xiuxi Stream, with green mountains behind, pine waves, white clouds, and the sound of flowing water. The complex includes the main buildings of the entrance hall, lecture hall, and Lianxi Shrine. The academy was originally established by Rucheng county magistrate Zhou Sicheng as the Lianxi Shrine and has been relocated nine times. Notable students include Qing Dynasty writer Guo Yuan, Ming Dynasty scholars Zhu Ying and Fan Lu, and PLA generals Zhu Liangcai and Li Tao. It is a key cultural heritage protection unit in Hunan Province.

Also known as Dunben Hall, the Ye family ancestral hall was built in the first year of the Hongzhi reign in the Ming dynasty (1488). It has a facade of three bays, two courtyards, and one skylight, covering an area of 178 square meters. The main gate was designed by Xiao Sansi, a famous geomancer from Lingnan during the Daoguang period of the Qing dynasty. The grand beam in the entrance hall is a three-layered carved camphor wood beam featuring double dragons playing with a pearl, surrounded by cloud and water patterns that interlock intricately. The woodcarving craftsmanship is exceptionally exquisite, making it the most outstanding feature of the hall. The rear wall of the central hall is a full-length wooden panel wall with three bays. The back of the main door is decorated with a cloud and dragon soaring painting, full of imposing momentum. Below the painting, on a red background, are 16 pairs of 32 plaques written in regular script, recording the names and official titles of Ye family descendants who served as officials, honoring the family and inspiring future generations. The walls of the Ye family ancestral hall still preserve murals from the Great Leap Forward period, reflecting the social production conditions of that time and serving as valuable cultural relics of community construction. The Ye family ancestral hall features a simple style, exquisite carvings, and a unique layout, holding a special status and value among the many ancient ancestral halls in Rucheng. It is a nationally protected key cultural relic.

The Lushi Ancestral Hall, also known as "Xulun Hall," is located in Jinshan Village, Tuqiao Town. It was built in the 33rd year of the Wanli reign in the Ming Dynasty (1605). The building is three bays wide, three rooms deep, with two courtyards, covering an area of 367 square meters. The main facade features a high, flat roof with a double-eaved, painted Xieshan-style roof, seven-tiered Ruyi brackets, and a Hongmen gate tower. The side walls have three-level painted fireproof mountain walls with capped pedestals. The beams and columns in the entrance hall extensively use inserted brackets decorated with carved reliefs and painted traditional opera scenes on camel-hump wooden panels. The plaque bears gilded raised characters reading "Famous family of southern Chu," a calligraphy inscription from Song Taizong Zhao Guangyi praising the Lushi ancestors’ great achievements: "All families south of Chu are renowned, the family reputation widely spread to the imperial court." The upper hall houses gilded wood carvings, painted lattice doors, and a door god shrine. The ancestral hall walls are inlaid with five Qing stone narrative plaques and donor name tablets. It is a nationally protected key cultural relic.

Jinshan village was originally called "Jingshan village" because it was once covered with thorns. Later, villagers worked hard to turn the wasteland into fertile fields and renamed it "Jinshan" based on the saying "having eyes but not recognizing Jingshan jade" changed to "having eyes but not recognizing gold-inlaid jade." The village is mainly inhabited by the Ye, Lu, and Li families and has a history of over 820 years. The village preserves 95 well-maintained ancient residences from the Ming and Qing dynasties, featuring blue bricks and tiles with a dominant grayish-blue tone and a square, regular layout. The core of the village includes 6 ancient ancestral halls, among which the Lu family temple (Xulun Hall) and the Ye family temple (Dunben Hall) are nationally protected cultural heritage sites. Xulun Hall was first built in 1606, with the four characters "Famous family of southern Chu" boldly inscribed above the entrance. Dunben Hall was built during the Ming Hongzhi period, with its Hongmen beam showcasing exquisite three-layer carved double dragons playing with pearls. The village also features the distinctive Hongmen Tower, constructed using traditional mortise and tenon joinery. Summer (June–August) is the best time to enjoy the lotus flowers. The village has a lotus base covering thousands of acres and hosts a lotus culture tourism festival every summer. Besides admiring the ancient architecture and lotus flowers, visitors can experience wearing Hanfu, taste local foods like boiled glutinous rice cakes and Tuqiao rice noodles. It is part of the fourth batch of China’s traditional villages.

Shiquan Ancient Village in Rucheng is located in Maqiao Town, Rucheng County, Chenzhou City, Hunan Province. It is a traditional village with a history of over 600 years, known for its well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, unique southern Hunan residential style, and rich revolutionary cultural heritage. It is honored as the "No. 1 village in southern Hunan." The village was founded at the end of the Song dynasty and is the settlement of the Santang Hu family. It is named after the ancestral title "Shiquan" of the Hu family ancestor, Shuzheng Gong. The architectural layout of Shiquan Ancient Village is distinctive, featuring high walls and narrow alleys, fireproof mountain walls, and traditional southern Hunan residential styles with blue bricks, blue tiles, and blue stone slabs. Some areas are decorated with exquisite wood and stone carvings, showcasing a light and transparent architectural character. The village preserves over 100 buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the Republic of China period, including 507 Ming and Qing buildings and 63 Republic of China buildings. The village includes attractions such as the Hu family ancestral hall, the former residence of Hu Fengzhang, the old Hu Xiang residence, Zhenwu Pavilion, and the Shanggu Fort ruins. It is recognized as a Chinese historical and cultural famous village and is part of the fourth batch of Chinese traditional villages.

Gaocun Ancient Village dates back to the Tang Dynasty. It was formed by the Song family clan, descendants of Song Jing and Song Shenxi, and consists of two natural villages: Gaocun and Douqiu. Originally named Gaogui Village, the Song ancestors settled here in the mid-Tang Dynasty, establishing a clan community bound by blood ties. Existing buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties account for 65% of the total area, including ancestral halls, memorial arches, ancient wells, and more than 20 cultural relic sites. The village layout preserves the traditional feng shui pattern of "pond in front, mountain behind, ancestral hall on the left, houses on the right." It is part of the fifth batch of China’s traditional villages.

Dacun was formerly known as "Pengtang." When the Zhu family ancestor moved here, a feng shui master said, "If descendants live here, they will prosper over time," so the name was changed to "Dacun." The village is mainly inhabited by the Zhu family (accounting for nearly 80% of the population), along with other families such as the Huang family, all speaking Hakka. Dacun preserves a group of ancient ancestral halls dating back to the Song and Yuan dynasties, with a clear hierarchy: general ancestral hall, clan ancestral hall, public ancestral hall, and family ancestral hall (private hall). The most representative include: Zhu clan ancestral hall (Zaiqing ancestral hall): originally built during the Ming dynasty Wanli period and renovated during the Qing dynasty Daoguang period. It faces south with blue bricks and black tiles, flying eaves with upturned corners, and beams carved with "two dragons playing with a pearl," showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. Dafu residence (Xiwen Gong clan ancestral hall): built in the Ming dynasty, featuring a screen wall and black lacquered door at the entrance. The hall has floor-to-ceiling pillars, with wood carvings, stone carvings, and gray sculpture art of high value. Huang clan ancestral hall: built in the Ming dynasty and renovated during the Qing dynasty Daoguang period, witnessing the development history of the Huang family in Dacun. Dacun village preserves the unique "Incense Fire Dragon" folk custom, a Han Chinese folk entertainment event held during the Lantern Festival. It is also part of the national intangible cultural heritage, the Rucheng Incense Fire Dragon. Fifth batch of China’s traditional villages.

Tuqiao Village boasts rich ancestral temple and ancient building resources, with the most famous being the Li Clan Ancestral Temple and the Bajiao Tower. The Bajiao Tower, also known as the "Wenwu Shijia Archway," is located in Guang'an Suo, Tuqiao Village, Tuqiao Town, and was built in the second year of Hongzhi reign of the Ming Dynasty (1489). This three-bay archway is a wooden structure with a bluestone base, featuring a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof covered with small green tiles, resembling a two-story building. It utilizes the ancient "qian gong" construction technique, where the four upturned eaves of the upper layer and the four upturned eaves of the lower layer echo each other, creating a magnificent sight, hence its name "Bajiao Tower" (Octagonal Tower). Its intricate structure, exquisite craftsmanship, and opulent decoration make it a masterpiece of ancient architectural art. In the 20th year of Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, to commend Li Xing for his meritorious service in suppressing bandits, granted Guang'an Suo as a military camp, established a thousand-household unit, issued official seals from the imperial court, and bestowed an iron certificate, ordering Li Xing to "forever guard this land, and his descendants shall inherit it." Thus, the Li Xing clan settled, took root, and thrived in Guang'an Suo. During the Chenghua reign of the Ming Dynasty, Li An (courtesy name Dingfu), the fifth-generation descendant of Li Xing, passed the imperial examination as a Jinshi in the Guimao year. The imperial court honored the Li clan of Guang'an Suo for "founding with military might and continuing with literary virtue," and thus bestowed the plaque "Wenwu Shijia." Xue Gang, Deputy Censor of Huguang Provincial Surveillance Commission and Imperial Commissioner of Education, was ordered to erect this archway for the local Jinshi Li An. In addition, the old residential houses in Tuqiao Village are mostly constructed with flagstones, blue bricks, pebble walls, and pebble-lime-earth mixture, making them highly resistant to wind and rain. Decorative arts such as stone carvings, stucco, and colorful paintings are widely applied to gates, eaves, and wooden components. It is recognized as one of the Fifth Batch of Chinese Traditional Villages.

Yuntou Academy was founded in the 10th year of the Jiaqing reign in the Qing Dynasty (1805), more than 221 years ago. It is the last of the four ancient academies in Rucheng to be established. Its predecessor was the "Wudang Villa," donated by the He family, local gentry, and later converted into an academy. The main gate bears the four characters "Yuntou Academy," written by Qing Dynasty Hanlin scholar He Qingyuan. The side gate still retains the plaque of the ladies' school — this site once hosted a girls' school, which was later converted into a nursing home and has recently been restored. The academy consists of two courtyards facing east, with a front hall, middle hall, main lecture hall, and study room. The courtyard features green bamboo, ancient cypress trees, a lotus pond with a corridor, white walls, and black tiles, creating a serene garden atmosphere. It is a key cultural relic in Chenzhou City.