Hidden in Jiangnan, the "Folk Palace Museum," where wood carving art reaches its peak!

Strolling along the bluestone paths and touching the exquisite Ming and Qing dynasty wood carvings, you can almost hear the ancient mansion softly telling the glorious and legendary 600-year history of the Yaxi Lu family. The moment I stepped into the Lu Residence in Dongyang, it felt like I traveled through time. This Ming and Qing dynasty architectural complex, praised as "In the north, there is the Forbidden City; in the south, there is the Lu Residence," quietly stands in the urban area of Dongyang, Zhejiang. As one of the largest and best-preserved Ming and Qing residential complexes in Jiangnan, the Lu Residence is not only a national key cultural relic protection unit but also a three-dimensional history textbook. Passing through the three archways of "Family of Integrity," "Great Prefect," and "Honoring Chastity," the view suddenly opens up—thousands of rooms form the complex, centered around the Suyong Hall, symmetrically arranged with a rigorous layout. Every brick, tile, piece of wood, and carving here tells the story of a family's centuries of glory and decline. --- 01 Magnificent and grand, an architectural treasure The Lu Residence scenic area is located 100 meters northwest of the intersection of Luzhai Street and Huating Road in Dongyang City, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province. This magnificent complex was first built during the Jingtai period of the Ming Dynasty (1450-1457) and was continuously expanded through the Ming and Qing dynasties, eventually forming a vast complex covering more than 25,000 square meters. The scenic area includes residential buildings arranged along multiple longitudinal axes, with thousands of rooms. The essence lies in Suyong Hall, whose architectural scale and decorative sophistication are very high. Many buildings from the Ming Jingtai period to the early Republic of China remain, mainly concentrated on both sides of the Suyong Hall axis. Most astonishing is the strict and orderly layout of the Suyong Hall mansion, symmetrical on both sides, an outstanding example of ancient architecture. The entire complex is surrounded by water on three sides, facing Bijia Mountain to the south, encircled by Yaxi Creek, with a cobblestone street running east to west, embodying the ancient "harmony between heaven and man" architectural philosophy. 02 Wood carving art, reaching the pinnacle Dongyang is renowned as the "Hometown of Craftsmen," and the Lu Residence is the pinnacle of Dongyang wood carving art. The scenic area features exquisite painted decorations, cow-leg brackets, and sparrow braces from different periods, all worth seeing. The cow-leg brackets alone include reverse "S" shapes, spout-shaped tops, plum blossom deer cow-legs, lion cow-legs, and cow-legs depicting historical stories and characters. These wood carvings are not only exquisitely crafted but also carry rich cultural connotations. Inside Suyong Hall, there are more than 300 palace lanterns from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Among them, the Bao Gai Suo Luo triple-cluster seven-color tassel ram horn lantern is the treasure of the residence—standing 4.5 meters tall and weighing 250 jin, it connects three large lamps made of sheepskin, silk, and ram horn vertically, surrounded by six strings of 24 small ram horn and pearl basket lamps. It is strung with 400,000 colored glass beads and has been recorded in the Guinness World Records. 03 Nine courtyards deep, a model of ritual system The most remarkable feature of the Lu Residence complex is its nine-courtyard deep layout, with a central axis length of 320 meters. In China, only the Forbidden City and the Confucius Temple have such a structure, which testifies to the high architectural standards of the Lu Residence. This layout strictly follows traditional ritual systems, reflecting the traditional residential concept of "front hall and rear chambers." From the entrance to the deepest part, you pass through the Head Gate, Ceremony Gate, Suyong Hall, Tongshou Hall, Stone Warehouse Gate, Leshou Hall, and Shiyong Gate Tower, each courtyard having specific functions and symbolic meanings. Suyong Hall is the essence of the Lu Residence, with several large plaques hanging inside. The ancient "Grace and Honor for Four Generations" plaque in the center records the glorious history of three generations of the Lu family being posthumously awarded first-rank titles. Tongshou Hall houses portraits of the Lu ancestors on both sides and serves as the place for ancestral worship during festivals. 04 Immersive experience, traveling through time The best way to tour the Lu Residence is to immerse yourself in it and feel the historical atmosphere. I recommend allocating at least two hours to slowly appreciate the architecture and carving art here. The scenic area offers recommended routes, but even following the guide map often feels like entering a maze. Perhaps this is part of the charm of the Lu Residence—discovering surprises during exploration. If you are interested in carvings, don’t miss the Shude Hall on the east side, where the double-layer cow-leg brackets are more complex than those in Suyong Hall, with vivid and lifelike character expressions. The Dongyin Hall in the southeast corner features the most exquisite carvings in the Lu Residence, including budding lotus flowers and blooming peonies, offering a unique aesthetic experience. 05 Practical information, well-prepared visit Ticket price: Adult tickets are 65 yuan (online booking or discounts available). Children under 1.2 meters in height are free, seniors aged 70 and above are free, active military personnel with valid ID are free. Full-time students with student ID and seniors aged 60 (inclusive) to 70 (exclusive) with senior cards or ID can purchase discounted tickets for 35 yuan. Opening hours: Year-round, 08:00-17:00 Best visiting season: Suitable all year round Scenic area address: 100 meters northwest of the intersection of Luzhai Street and Huating Road, Dongyang City, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province 06 Nearby delicacies, not to be missed After touring the Lu Residence, don’t forget to try local specialties. The Shanglu Wontons opposite the scenic area entrance are a must-try, with dough containing mountain powder, very tender, paired with pork cracklings and fried dough skin, fragrant and flavorful. Other specialties worth trying include Dongyang grilled tofu, Nanma meat pies, egg walnut wine, and more. If time permits, visit Dongyang’s first high-altitude restaurant on the 15th floor to enjoy exquisite dishes while overlooking the cityscape and Dongyang River. 07 Joint tour recommendations, double the excitement If you have enough time, consider linking the Lu Residence with nearby attractions. The Li Residence and Beihou Zhou Village are good choices, both with free admission, offering different ancient architectural styles. Dongyang China Woodcarving City is also worth a visit, featuring exquisite wood carvings and frequent cultural events. During the May Day holiday in 2025, events like the Itasha exhibition and anime market attracted many fans of the ACG culture. 08 Accommodation recommendations, comfortable and convenient There are various accommodation options around the Lu Residence. Dongyang Pacific Yaqi Hotel has a sky garden with views of Dongyang’s nightscape; Fudu Hotel (Dongyang City Center branch) offers a wide variety of breakfast options with local specialties. For higher quality, the Kaiyuan Mingtin Hotel (Dongyang Jiangbin South Street branch) is recommended, adjacent to Dongyang River, with a high-floor restaurant featuring floor-to-ceiling windows where you can dine while enjoying river views. --- As the sun sets, I stroll out of the Lu Residence scenic area, looking back at this ancient architectural complex that has weathered centuries of storms, feeling deeply moved. This place is not only a treasure of architectural art but also a living fossil of Chinese culture. The essence of the Lu Residence lies in the details—those exquisite wood carvings, grand layout, and rich cultural connotations all tell the story of a family and an era. Compared to the bustling Forbidden City, here you can quietly feel the warmth of history. If you want to experience a cultural journey through time, Dongyang Lu Residence is definitely a must-visit. Come here to feel the Jiangnan "Folk Palace Museum" and appreciate the charm of traditional Chinese architecture—you will surely linger and gain a lot! Warm tips: The bluestone paths inside the scenic area are uneven, so comfortable shoes are recommended; remember to wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water in summer; for photography enthusiasts, early morning or evening is best for soft lighting and better shots.