2025 Linwu Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

Built during the Qing Dynasty by Ang, the seventh-generation descendant of the clan's founder Yanjun, the Zhu Clan Ancestral Hall originally served as a residence covering approximately 100 square meters. For over 200 years, descendants have used it as a memorial hall. Featuring a flush-gable roof with horse-head gable walls, the three-bay, two-courtyard structure has a recessed main entrance with wooden pillars on stone bases, wooden door frames with stone thresholds, and a stone doorstep. The original plaque inscribed "Zhu Clan Ancestral Hall" is now preserved at the Hunan Provincial Museum. The first courtyard contains a wooden screen, while the second serves as the worship hall. Renovated in 2010, it is now listed as an immovable cultural relic of Linwu County.

Zhujia Courtyard was built in the first year of the Xianfeng reign of the Qing Dynasty (1851). Facing east, the square-shaped complex covers approximately 960 square meters. It features a traditional quadrangle layout comprising over ten ancient structures including main halls, side halls, central courtyards, and a memorial archway gate. The architecture boasts bluestone paved floors, flush-gable roofs with small black tiles, and a brick-wood structure. Both interior and exterior walls, windows, and altars are adorned with exquisite reliefs and wood carvings depicting figures, animals, and floral patterns in diverse artistic styles. The courtyard's overall design demonstrates rigorous planning with distinct layers, representing a unique residential architectural style from the late Qing period. It is now a key cultural relic protection unit of Linwu County.

With a history of over 700 years, Nanfu Village is predominantly inhabited by the Chen family, followed by the Li family, boasting rich cultural tourism resources and well-preserved ancient architectural complexes. In ancient times, Nanfu Pu served as a vital transportation hub, a mandatory route for salt and tea merchants traveling between Hunan and Guangdong. An official road ran through Nanfu Pu, lined with inns, restaurants, and teahouses on both sides. The village features more than 200 buildings from the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China era, covering a total area of approximately 12,000 square meters. Surrounding the village are vast farmlands. The ancient architectural complex within the village is represented by structures such as Meishan Hall, Yuqing Hall, and Jiuru Hall. These buildings are primarily constructed with blue bricks and wood, adorned with intricate wood carvings of flowers and animals, all in excellent preservation. Notably, the "watchtower" Chaoquan Pavilion, standing in the fields outside the village, is a key cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province.

Built during the Jiading period of the Southern Song Dynasty and expanded during the Ming Dynasty, the Wenshi Ancestral Hall has weathered centuries while preserving its original architectural charm. This quintessential southern Hunan ancestral hall features blue bricks and dark tiles, exuding timeless elegance. Its soaring eaves, intricate brick and wood carvings, towering firewalls, and majestic horse-head walls create a harmonious and dynamic layout. The ornate beams and painted rafters enhance the ancient village's allure, while the weathered doors and windows bear witness to the passage of time and past prosperity. The hall spans three bays with two courtyards, covering over 200 square meters. It boasts a flush-gable roof, horse-head walls, wooden pillars on stone bases in the entrance hall, and a pair of exquisitely carved stone drums from the Ming Dynasty at the entrance. A precious stele from the Wanli era, documenting the hall's renovation, remains preserved on the right side. Recognized as a key cultural relic of Chenzhou City.

In the 9th year of Chunxi period of Southern Song Dynasty (1182 AD), to escape the chaos of Jin and Yuan dynasties, Shi Tan (the founding ancestor of Tanxia) - a descendant of Wen Yanbo (a famous Northern Song statesman granted the title Duke of Lu) - arrived here with his wife Wu. Seeing fertile fields in front, inner/middle/outer ponds behind, and a babbling stream flowing from southeast to northwest, they deemed it an auspicious feng shui site. Following ancestral instruction to "settle where streams meet", they named it "Tanxi" (Pool Stream) and established their lineage here. The village terrain forms a "smiling face" shape with slightly higher sides and flat center. As Shi Tan came south from Jiangxi, it's also called "Tanxia" (Below Tan). The village preserves over 100 Ming-Qing era structures, including more than 20 ancestral halls. Beyond the main "Wen Clan Ancestral Hall", the scale and quantity of branch lineage halls from Ming-Qing periods are exceptionally rare in southern Hunan, making this Tanxia's most distinctive feature. Walking through the village, antique charm envelops visitors, evoking historical gravitas and nostalgia. Blue bricks, dark tiles, slate paths, lattice windows, wood carvings, and horse-head walls compose an ink-wash painting - simple yet elegant. Formerly, the stone-paved roads crisscrossed the entire village; though some are now cement-covered, the remaining sections remain awe-inspiring. Centuries of footsteps and weathering have polished the slate stones to a luminous, dust-free sheen. Winding through alleys, paths alternate between secluded curves and sudden openness. Treading these time-worn stones, one glimpses ancestors toiling - each slab crystallizing their diligence and wisdom, each bearing witness to bygone prosperity and temporal changes. Designated among China's fifth batch of Traditional Villages.

[Linwu Treasure Chess Room! The Pinman Chen Hotel's chess and card room is so great! 🤩] 📍Address: Pinman Chen Hotel County Government Branch, Linwu 💥Recommended for: • Super comfortable environment: New Chinese-style decoration + floor-to-ceiling windows, good lighting and quiet, you won't get tired after sitting for a long time • Professional equipment: Fully automatic mahjong machine is super smooth, and the sound of the dice is decompressing 🎲 • Thoughtful service: Free bedtime dessert + welcome fruit, air conditioning and Wi-Fi coverage, customer support butler is available at any time • Lie down when you are tired: Stay directly at the hotel after playing cards, the rooms are clean and spacious (secretly: the price/performance ratio is super high!) 🎯Suitable for scenes: ✔️Friends gathering/family game✔️Business and leisure✔️Weekend relaxation 📸Real shots are here, hurry up if you are itching to play~ 👉Click the location to navigate directly, remember to make an appointment in advance! 💬Quickly @ your mahjong buddies, this game must be booked! 🀄️

In Linwu, there is an ancient post road from the Qin and Han dynasties, winding through the mountains. This road was once a major commercial route and a strategic military location. Although it has been eroded by time, the stone path remains, covered in green moss. Walking along it, you can almost hear the sound of horses' hooves and see the caravans of travelers. Imagine the changes that have taken place over the years, and the countless heroes and legends that this road has witnessed. As you walk along it today, you can't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder.

Linwu Dishuiyuan is a beautiful and fun place to visit. Dishuiyuan Scenic Area is located in Linwu County, Chenzhou City. It is 1,124 meters above sea level at its highest point and is the source of the Pearl River. It is part of the Xiyao Green Valley National Forest Park in Linwu. Dishuiyuan is a karst canyon with a forest of giant stones at the bottom. Several waterfalls cascade down the mountain, resembling white dragons dancing in the air. The 2,200-meter-long, 23-tiered waterfall has broken the Guinness World Record. The entire scenic area is shaded by green trees and has babbling streams and beautiful natural scenery. It is like a fairyland, and visitors are reluctant to leave. The area also has a breathtaking sky mirror project that is like a dream. The scenic area also offers a glass suspension bridge, a rotating dry slide, a glass water slide, and other attractions, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful scenery while also experiencing the thrill and excitement of an accelerated heartbeat! Isn't it beautiful? Isn't it fun?