Fengzhou Ancient City is actually Fengchuan Ancient City, located south of Beishan in Jiangkou Subdistrict, Fengkai County, Zhaoqing. It was first built in the Tang Dynasty, and the existing city wall was rebuilt in the 14th year of the Zhengtong reign of the Ming Dynasty (1450). It is one of the important birthplaces of Cantonese culture and the Cantonese language, and also an ancient "gateway to Guangdong and Guangxi." It is now open for free and has not been commercialized, making it suitable for a half-day cultural tour. Honestly, there aren't many ancient cities with zero commercialization left like this 👀
I. History and cultural background 📜
· City construction history: A city existed here since the Tang Dynasty. In the 14th year of the Zhengtong reign of the Ming Dynasty, the magistrate Chen Shun rebuilt it on the old site. Since then, it was repaired and rebuilt over 20 times until the Republic of China era, serving as the seat of Fengchuan County for a long time. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Fengchuan and Kaijian counties shared offices here. After the construction of embankments and roads in 1958, only the South Gate and about 400 meters of the city wall remain.
· Gateway to Guangdong and Guangxi: Located at the confluence of the Xi River, He River, and Yong River, it was a node for Central Plains culture entering Lingnan and a transit station for the ancient Maritime Silk Road. During its peak in the Qing Dynasty, merchant ships carrying salt and goods traveled back and forth incessantly.
· Origins of Guangxin: During the Han Dynasty, Guangxin County was established in this area. "East of Guangxin was Guangnan East Circuit, and west was Guangnan West Circuit," which is how Guangdong and Guangxi got their names. Fengkai is also the hometown of Mo Xuanqing, the first top scholar (Zhuangyuan) in Lingnan, with a long-standing tradition of valuing education.
· A living fossil of Cantonese: The Fengchuan dialect retains many ancient Chinese pronunciations, and scholars consider Fengkai one of the birthplaces of Cantonese. Friends from Cantonese-speaking regions will really feel a connection in their DNA when they come here 🤯
II. What to see on-site (3 key spots) 🔍
· South City Gate (Changjing Gate): The lower part of the arched gate is made of reddish-brown sandstone, and the upper part is made of blue bricks. The original stone plaque inscribed with "Ancient Fengzhou" is missing, but standing under the gate, you can imagine the merchants coming and going back then. Sunlight hitting the sandstone makes for great photos 📸
· Inscribed city bricks: The blue bricks are approximately 34 × 16.5 × 6 cm in size, with "Fengchuan City Brick," "Made by Fengchuan County," or "Made by Fengchuan Army" stamped on the sides. Looking down to find these bricks is the most worthwhile detail of this trip. It is like opening a blind box; every one you find is a surprise ✨
· Streets and alleys inside the ancient city: Original residents still live here. Old blue-brick houses, ancient wells, and stone-paved roads are mixed with the hustle and bustle of daily life. Outside the city, the old street still retains more than 20 shops from the mid-Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China era.
⚠️ Provincial cultural relic protection site. Climbing the city walls or carving on bricks and stones is prohibited. People live inside, so please keep your voice down and walk gently~
III. Suggested itinerary (half-day to one day) 🗺️
· Half-day itinerary: 9:00–11:00 AM, explore Fengchuan Ancient City (find inscribed bricks, take photos of the South Gate) → Eat bamboo pole noodles or fresh meat wontons in Jiangkou town → Afternoon, climb Guangxin Tower to see the clear and murky waters of the Xi River and He River converge, and watch the tower light up in the evening.
· One-day itinerary: Ancient City + Guangxin Cultural Park + Ancient Pier + Fengkai Museum. All are around the town, just a few minutes' drive apart.
· Two-day, one-night itinerary: Day 1: Guangxin Tower + He River Greenway; Day 2: Yangchi Ancient Village + Longshan Cave (combo ticket about CNY 80) + Daban Stone. Attractions are scattered, so driving is recommended.
IV. Food and transportation 🍜
· Must-eats: Fengkai Xinghua chicken (the white-cut version shows the most skill), He River fresh seafood, and Luodong beef jerky. These are available in the town and around the scenic spots. The Xinghua chicken is truly amazing; it is incredibly fresh 🐔
· Transportation: Driving from Guangzhou via the Guangfozhao Expressway takes about 3 hours. The attractions within the town are close to each other; buses are available but time-consuming.
· Admission: The ancient city, the riverside section around Guangxin Tower, and Yangchi Ancient Village are all free. Climbing Guangxin Tower is also free (please check the on-site notice for the latest information).
Summary in one sentence ✍️
If you come for the "birthplace of Cantonese," "original Ming Dynasty brick city walls," and "zero commercialization," Fengchuan Ancient City is worth a trip. Don't expect it to be as lively as Lijiang; its value lies precisely in its quietness. With few crowds, beautiful scenery, and free admission, this kind of hidden gem is truly worth visiting and cherishing 🥹
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