2025 Recommended Attractions in Hengnan (Updated September)

The Lixian Ancestral Hall and Xiangen Academy (now called Chejiang Li Clan Ancestral Hall) is a century-old ancestral hall that was once named Xiangen Academy. By 1998, the academy had fallen into disrepair and become a dangerous structure. At the end of 1998, a clan meeting decided to demolish and rebuild it. The main structure of the rebuilt ancestral hall was completed in 2005. In 2011, Professor Liu Jiyuan from University of South China was invited to establish a school here, leading to a complete renovation of the ancestral hall. The history of Lixian Ancestral Hall and Xiangen Academy (Chejiang Li Clan Ancestral Hall) dates back over a hundred years, and it was once listed as a county-level cultural heritage site in Hengnan County. However, due to funding and construction issues, its cultural heritage value was lost after the demolition and reconstruction. Despite this, in 2019, it was still included in the tenth batch of provincial-level cultural heritage sites in Hunan Province.

Built during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, the Jiang Clan Ancestral Hall faces south with a three-bay, three-courtyard layout that ascends stepwise with the terrain. Featuring a flush-gable roof and horse-head gable walls, it covers approximately 600 square meters. A feng shui pond lies in front of the hall. The first entrance has stone door frames and stone pillows, while the second courtyard houses the "Zunqin Hall" with stone pillars and bases. The entire structure boasts simple beam decorations and bluestone-paved courtyards. According to stone inscriptions, it underwent renovations during the Qianlong era and recent years, remaining well-preserved to this day.

The Hanlin Academy in the center of the Pailou House was built during the Jiajing period at the request of Hanlin Grand Academician Liao Daonan (whose ancestral home was Bao Gai). Its main gate opens in an "eight-character" shape, and above it are 99 exquisitely carved wooden plum blossom reliefs. Below hangs a plaque bestowed by Emperor Kangxi with the inscription "Inheriting Ancestral Blessings Through Generations". In front of the main gate, replicas of the Forbidden Street and the General's Review Platform were built. Inside the Yutang (Jade Hall), the first, second, and third sections are all grand halls. The main beams in the halls are made of large, naturally curved wood, the column bases are carved from white marble, solemn and elegant, the clay sculptures painted with gold and colors are lifelike, gold plaques and silver screens are arranged in sequence, and stone carvings and jade carvings sparkle brilliantly. The morning bell rings, opening the vermilion doors, waking the butterflies from their quiet dreams, and calling the swallows under the eaves to peck - the grand hall is also one of the Eight Ancient Scenes of Bao Gai, "Yutang Morning Bell". Directly behind the Pailou House, there was originally a magnificent and imposing seven-story Baojia Tower. According to historical records, in the late Northern Song Dynasty, Liao Hanyi, the Prefect of Hengzhou, passed through Bao Gai, saw the pleasant landscape and the land resembling an open lotus, and built a house to settle down. During a time of military upheaval, he built the seven-story Baojia Tower, which was known as "The First Scene of Hengzhou, The First Tower for Protecting the Home". Because the area was rich in natural treasures, it was later called Bao Gai Tower (Bao Gai Town was named after this). The tower was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, but the site is still recognizable.

The Gaoling Liu Clan Ancestral Hall is located in Guanshi Town, Hengnan County, Hengyang City. Facing south, this five-bay, three-courtyard ancestral hall covers approximately 500 square meters. It features a flush-gable roof with horse-head gable walls, showcasing exquisite architectural composition and superb craftsmanship that combines intricate details with bold simplicity. The hall contains 36 dragon and 12 phoenix carvings, with its front corridor ceiling uniquely decorated with colorful porcelain plates in lattice patterns - a feature unparalleled in Hengnan. Supported by 28 wooden (stone) pillars symbolizing the 28 constellations gathered in the ancestral hall, the entire structure stands tall and majestic, inspiring awe. It is a key cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province.

Gaoxin Village, located in Huaqiao Town of Hengnan County, is home to a 300-year-old locust tree at its entrance, silently witnessing the village's rise and fall over centuries. Nestled beneath verdant mountains, rows of ancient dwellings with blue bricks and tiles come into view, featuring over 20 well-preserved structures showcasing architectural styles from the early Qing Dynasty to the Republican era. Stretching hundreds of meters, this magnificent complex forms the awe-inspiring Jiang Family Compound, renowned as "Hengnan's Premier Village." The Jiang Family Compound, also known as Maiyuan Jiangjia, spans approximately 300 acres, with origins dating back to the early Ming Dynasty and expansions during the Qing era. The interconnected houses boast staggered eaves, bluestone foundations, and black-tiled roofs. Its labyrinthine alleys, arched corridors, and latticed windows create a hidden world of charm. Ancestral halls, private schools, courtyards, and lofts are intricately linked. Two ancient trees—a camphor and a locust—stand guard at the village entrance, their gnarled branches exuding timeless vigor. Over a kilometer of bluestone-paved paths weave through the settlement, facing vast farmlands ahead and towering peaks behind. Stepping into its courtyards reveals classic Qing-era layouts complete with skylit atriums and lofts, radiating tranquility and profound cultural heritage. Recognized in 2019 as a Hunan Provincial Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit and among China's fifth batch of Traditional Villages.

Baogai Village is located on the east and west sides of the Baogai Town government center. Built in the late Northern Song Dynasty, it consists of four interconnected ancient residential complexes: Pailou House, Anli House, Dawuchang, and Tanhua Village, covering an area of approximately 40 acres. The entire structure is a closed brick-and-wood construction, grand in scale, rationally laid out, and diverse in style. Each individual building features a three-bay design, embodying the traditional concept of "four waters returning to the hall" and the custom of "keeping wealth within the family." The sculptures and paintings are elegant and dignified, with lifelike depictions of figures, flowers, and plants, as well as vibrant images of rare birds and exotic animals. Among these, Pailou House is the most well-preserved. The Baogai Ancient Architecture Complex is one of the most intact and largest ancient architectural complexes in Hengyang City, holding significant historical value for the study of ancient architecture, history, local customs, and Huxiang culture. It also plays a leading role in promoting Hengyang's tourism development, which focuses on ancient-style architectural complexes, and has important cultural relic protection value. It is a key cultural relic protection unit of Hengyang City and one of the fourth batch of China's Traditional Villages.

Hunan Hengyang Amitabha Temple Travel Guide Preparation - Check opening hours: Check the opening hours of the temple in advance and plan your trip accordingly. - Transportation: If you drive, you can navigate to Amitabha Temple in Chejiang Town, Hengnan County. Parking is convenient. If you take public transportation, you can first go to Hengyang City, then transfer to an inter-county bus to Chejiang Town. After arriving in Chejiang Town, you can take a taxi to the temple. - Notes: Respect the religious customs of the temple, keep quiet, and do not touch the Buddha statues, cultural relics, etc. Temple Tour - Temple architecture: Enter through the mountain gate and feel the solemnity. The four heavenly kings in the Hall of Heavenly Kings are majestic. The Mahavira Hall is magnificent, with statues of Sakyamuni Buddha, Medicine Buddha, and Amitabha Buddha. The statue of Guanyin on the sea island behind the Buddha statues is lifelike, and the eighteen Arhats on both sides have different postures. - Millennium ginkgo: If you visit in autumn, you can see two ginkgo trees planted at the beginning of the temple's construction. The golden ginkgo leaves hang on the branches, and the sunlight shines through the branches and leaves, making the ground golden and beautiful. - Cultural atmosphere: Amitabha Temple has a long history. You can learn about its historical origin, which was built by a disciple of Master Huineng, a famous monk in the Tang Dynasty, and feel the profound Buddhist culture. Local Food and Specialties - Food recommendations: Try local specialties in Hengyang, such as Hengyang fish noodles, with tender fish, rich soup, and smooth rice noodles. There are also Zhajiang rice noodles, Hengdong local dishes, etc. - Specialty shopping: You can buy Hengyang's specialty agricultural products, such as Yunwu tea, with tight and curly strips, green and oily color, high and lasting aroma, and mellow and sweet taste. Itinerary - Morning: Arrive at Amitabha Temple, visit the temple buildings, admire the millennium ginkgo, feel the peaceful and harmonious atmosphere, listen to the monks chanting, and immerse yourself in Buddhist culture. - Noon: Taste local food at a restaurant near the temple and take a break. - Afternoon: You can communicate with the monks to learn about Buddhist culture and temple history, or you can take a walk around to enjoy the rural natural scenery.

A. "Thoughts🪭": Finally arrived at the destination that has been in my favorites for 3 years: Amitabha Temple~ 🎫：8:30-17:30～ PS: Thanks to passers-by and friends for appearing~ Hanfu feels so good! Traveling through time and space with a thousand-year-old ancient temple~ What comes into view are two towering ginkgo trees🍂~yellow and green echo~ Avalokitesvara is so beautiful ~ the main hall is spectacular ~ full of atmosphere ~ B.『Food🥣』： 🈶Vegetarian meal ~ inform your aunt in advance ~ C.『Transportation🛣️』: 1️⃣Bus🚌: Take No. 162 "Yumu Passenger Terminal" and transfer to No. 162 branch line, Get off at the "Shiniu Peak Climbing Entrance" station ⬇️ and walk 🚶‍♀️ 24 minutes~ 2️⃣Self-driving🚗: A newly built cement road can lead directly to the door~

This Kongming Tower is located on the banks of the Leishui River in Xiangshi Township, Hengnan County, Hengyang, Hunan. The Kongming (courtesy name Kongming, also known as Wolong) Tower dates back to 211 AD, more than 1,800 years ago, when the original stone post station was located here. People built the Kongming Tower here to commemorate Mr. Kongming. The ancient tower was later destroyed by war, and the newly built Kongming Tower was completed in 2017 at a cost of more than 4 million yuan. The construction of the Kongming Tower by the descendants of the official hall can be traced back to when Zhuge Liang supervised the taxation of the Zhengxiang River and passed through the Leishui River, where he moored his boat on the beach of Xianggong Fort. The official ship was stranded on the beach, and Zhuge Liang disembarked and was deeply moved by the water and mountain scenery and the feng shui of this place, so he docked and stayed overnight, set up a beach training camp, and set up a "Kongming Post Station" for taxation. Climbing the Kongming Tower, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery on both sides of the Leishui River and the surrounding scenery, and look out at the Jiangkou Island. Today, this tower has become an important part of local tourism development. Several buses pass by the tower every day from Hengnan County, and visitors can stop by waving their hands, making it very convenient to travel back and forth.