[2025 Yongxing Attraction] Travel Guide for Banliang Ancient Village (Updated Jul)

Liu Shaolian Hall, a Qing Dynasty architectural masterpiece, is the most well-preserved two-story ancient residence in Banliang Ancient Village, covering approximately 80 square meters. It showcases the exceptional craftsmanship of local artisans. The exquisite wood carvings feature intricate reliefs, intaglio, and double-sided openwork carvings, with hundreds of exquisite patterns adorning the wooden components. The horse-head walls with fish-dragon hybrid sculptures are exceptionally elaborate, along with the finely carved cornerstones. The entire structure embodies profound aesthetic depth and symbolic meaning, making it a breathtaking sight. It is one of the nationally protected key cultural heritage sites.

Standing on the ridge of Gaoyi, the scene before you might make you wonder if you've wandered into the blank space of a Chinese ink painting—reddish-brown sandstone winds like a giant dragon, emerald lakes resemble a palette spilled by the sky, and in the distance, layers of Danxia peaks appear and disappear in the mist. This is Gaoyi Ridge, dubbed by netizens as "the secret realm forgotten by God," a place where photographers willingly camp with tripods for three days, reluctant to leave. --- I. Geographical Background: A "Red Rock Sanctuary" Carved by 300 Million Years Gaoyi Ridge is located in Suxian District, Chenzhou, Hunan, a geological gem at the intersection of the Nanling and Luoxiao mountain ranges. The Danxia landform here formed during the late Jurassic period 300 million years ago, when tectonic movements lifted underwater sandstone into mountains, which were then eroded by water and weathered, ultimately sculpting today's spectacular red cliff formations. Unlike other Danxia scenic areas, what makes Gaoyi Ridge special is its "water-embraced Danxia"—azure lakes wrapping around reddish-brown mountain bodies, like jade belts fastened around the mountains by Mother Earth. The most iconic spot, "Dragon Ridge," features an 800-meter-long narrow ridge resembling a coiled dragon, with sheer cliffs on both sides. Walking along it, you'll find yourself between knife-cut rock formations below and sparkling lakes in the distance—a perfect blend of thrill and beauty. --- II. Travel Highlights: Every View is Cinematic 1. Hiking Through the Danxia Wonderland The trail from the entrance to the summit observation deck is about 3 kilometers, but the real treasures lie hidden along the side paths. Following local guides on these "wild routes," you'll discover secret viewing platforms: "Sky Ladder" requires climbing steep rock faces using both hands and feet, but from the top, you'll overlook the entire lake area, feeling like you're in a scene from "Inception"; there's also "Golden Triangle," where three isolated peaks surrounded by water catch the golden sunrise light on their rock faces—the ultimate goal for photography enthusiasts. 2. Ink Painting-Like Lakes The tributary of Dongjiang Lake forms a mirror-like surface beneath "Dragon Ridge"—Tiffany blue on sunny days and muted gray on cloudy days. The reflections of the Danxia formations in the lake create stunning compositions with minimal effort. With a drone, you can capture even more breathtaking scenes: among the red rocks and blue waters, a few crooked trees grow stubbornly, reminiscent of Pandora from "Avatar." 3. Bangliang Ancient Village: A Journey Through Century-Old Daily Life Just a 10-minute drive from the scenic area, Bangliang Village is a well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty settlement. In courtyards of gray tiles and blue bricks, elderly residents sit on doorsteps shelling beans while yellow dogs lazily bask in the sun on stone paths. Be sure to try the homemade rice wine and listen to stories about how Zhu De rested here during the "Southern Hunan Uprising." --- III. Local Culture: Slow Living Nurtured by Mountains and Waters Chenzhou, where Gaoyi Ridge is located, has been known as a "forest city" since ancient times. Locals speak with a soft southern Hunan accent and welcome visitors with steaming bowls of Qifengdu fish noodles, so spicy they make your forehead sweat yet impossible to stop eating. Even more fascinating is the mountain dwellers' wisdom of coexistence with nature: herb gatherers can identify over 200 medicinal plants, fishermen cast nets from small boats on the lake, and drought-resistant herbs grow in rock crevices. In the evening, sitting at a lakeside tea stall, watching the sunset turn the Danxia formations purple-red while listening to the proprietress humming Chenzhou folk tunes, you'll suddenly understand what it means to be "nurtured by mountains and waters." --- IV. Travel Tips: Details for a Better Adventure 1. Timing The best seasons are April-May and September-October when the Danxia colors are most vibrant. Arrive at the viewing platform one hour before sunrise to secure a spot and witness the sea of clouds rising from the valley, turning the red rocks golden. ⚠️ Hiking is not recommended on rainy days due to slippery paths, though the "misty Danxia" on cloudy days has its own ink-painting charm. 2. Equipment Checklist - Footwear: Anti-slip hiking boots (some sections are steeper than Zhangjiajie) - Clothing: Light jacket (large temperature differences at the summit) + sun protection (intense UV radiation) - Others: Power banks (weak signal), garbage bags (protect the Danxia landform, no littering) 3. Pitfall Guide - Official shuttle buses are available at the scenic area entrance; don't trust "black cabs" soliciting along the road - Homestays in Bangliang Ancient Village offer better value, 50% cheaper than accommodations near the scenic area - Want to photograph the sunrise? Check the weather forecast in advance—on rainy days, the mirror lake turns into a "mud lake" --- Epilogue: A Place for the Soul to Rest What makes Gaoyi Ridge most touching isn't just the scenery, but its "tenderness amid ruggedness." As you cautiously inch along "Dragon Ridge," the mountain breeze suddenly carries the folk songs of distant herb gatherers; when you crouch to photograph rock textures, you discover stubborn wildflowers hidden in the crevices. This mountain, forgotten by time, awaits every traveler willing to make the journey—it doesn't cater to tourists, yet at some turn, with a splash of red rock, a pool of emerald water, or cooking smoke drifting halfway up the mountain, it makes you want to pause, sit on a rock with the locals, drink a bowl of plain tea, and listen to ancient legends about mountain spirits.

🏯✨It feels like a dream back to Huizhou. It really looks like the ancient villages around Huangshan. I didn't expect to find such a beautiful ancient village in Chenzhou, Hunan. This ancient village was built in the Song Dynasty, and it is not easy to preserve it on a large scale. 🏡✨Standing at the entrance of the village and looking at this ancient village built on the mountain, you can feel the majestic momentum. More than 300 well-preserved historical buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties are still preserved in the ancient village. Most of the old buildings are of classical style with carved beams and painted buildings and flying eaves. 🏡✨It feels like Banliang Ancient Village and Hongcun have something in common. There is a water system running through the village, and there is a stream and lake at the entrance of the village. Walking along the stream into the village, you can see the three ancient ancestral halls lined up at the entrance of the village, which is very impressive. 🏞✨The deeper you go into the village, the more you will find that the buildings here are more of a combination of southern Hunan dwellings and Huizhou architecture. Compared with the small windows of Huizhou architecture, Banliang dwellings are typical Hunan dwellings with large windows, generally with two entrances. There is also a patio in the courtyard, and there is a stove and a place to bake fire next to the patio. Hunan people really have the habit of baking fire in their bones. 🏡✨In fact, there are very few people living in the ancient village. Most of the villagers have built new houses outside, so many of the houses here have cracked. The walls of the ancient houses have grown a layer of green moss after a long period of continuous rainy days, and the gaps in the bluestone road steps are also full of green grass. 🏡✨In addition to residential houses, there are also old private schools, ancient commercial streets, and ancient money houses preserved in the village. The ancient stone roads connect the streets and alleys, which has a maze-like feeling. The old houses are lined up under the high walls and deep courtyards, and you can touch the traces of time everywhere. Walking slowly will make you feel a sense of trance, as if time has stopped. 🏯✨On the stone road of Banliang Ancient Street, you can feel the echo of history with every step. More than 300 ancient dwellings, blue bricks and black tiles, flying eaves and corners, are arranged in an orderly manner, like a melodious museum of ancient architecture in southern Hunan, each of which contains simple and elegant style. 📍✨Banliang Ancient Village, Yongxing County, Chenzhou City, Hunan Province 📍✨Open all day, ticket price is CNY 30, no ticket is required after dark.

Dear friends👫, today I am going to share with you the travel guide of Banliang Ancient Village in Chenzhou, Hunan😎! 📍Location: Gaotingsi Town, Yongxing County, Chenzhou City, Hunan Province 🕰️Opening Hours: 08:00-17:00 🎫Ticket: 33 yuan (Ticket information is for reference only, please refer to the official disclosure on the day) 🚗Transportation: - Self-driving🚘: Set the destination to Banliang Village, Gaotingsi Town, Yongxing County, and drive according to the navigation instructions. There is a parking lot in the village. - Public transportation🚌: Take a bus to Matian, Leiyang, or Hengyang, and get off at the entrance of Banliang Ancient Village (remember to ask the driver to remind you to get off). Then take a taxi to the scenic spot. 🌟Must-visit Attractions: - Three Ancient Ancestral Halls: Arranged in front of the village, with a long history and unique architectural style, showcasing the profound heritage of the ancient village. - Jielong Bridge: Built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, it is the only way to enter the ancient village. It is said to be able to bring back the lost dragon spirit. - Wangfu Tower: In the past, many men in the village went out to do business, and their wives would look out from here, waiting for their husbands to return, full of stories and warmth. - Divine Turtle Stone: Located at the foot of Xiangling Mountain, it resembles a divine turtle and is the treasure of the village, blessing the villagers with health, peace, and longevity. - Ancient Commercial Street and Ancient Money House: Feel the former commercial prosperity, as if you can see the bustling scenes of the past. - Ancient Wells: There are about 10 ancient wells with spring water in the village, gushing all year round. Among them, "Leigong Spring" has a large water output after the spring thunder strikes. The spring water is warm in winter and cool in summer, and it flows continuously even in drought years. 📸Photography Tips: - Wear retro or elegant clothes and take photos on the bluestone roads and in front of the ancient buildings in the ancient village, which are very photogenic📷. - Use the doors, windows, and carvings of the ancient village as frames to take artistic photos. - In the evening, the sunset glow casts on the ancient village, creating an excellent atmosphere for photography🌇. 🍱Food Recommendations: - Local farmhouse dishes, with unique flavors and fresh ingredients, allowing you to taste authentic Hunan flavors😋. - You can try the jelly made with mountain spring water, which is cool and refreshing, making it an excellent summer dessert🍨. 💕Tips: - Some attractions and cultural relics in the ancient village require fees, so be sure to understand the relevant information💰. - Protect cultural relics, do not touch, climb, or scribble on them🚫. - Keep the environment clean, do not litter, and jointly protect the beautiful ancient village🌳. - Pay attention to safety when visiting the park in bad weather🌧️. Banliang Ancient Village is a place full of historical charm and life atmosphere.

Banliang Ancient Village is located in Yongxing County, Chenzhou, originally established at the end of the Song Dynasty and the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty, flourished during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and has a history of over 600 years. It was an important market town of the original Jinling County and also a trading port for Guiyang, Leiyang, and Changning. The entire village is of the same clan, with the surname Liu, descendants of Liu Bang's brother, King Chu Liu Jiao, through Liu Zifang, which can be said to be royal descendants. The ancient village is backed by Xiangling Mountain, with three ancient ancestral halls lined up in front of the village, and the ancient post road passing through the village. There are stone slab ancient bridges like Longqiao Bridge, Songfeng Private School, ancient commercial streets, ancient money houses, and ancient mansions, with more than 360 well-preserved Ming and Qing historical buildings. There are also village treasures like the Divine Turtle Stone, Wangfu Pavilion, Longquan Temple, Arrow Tower, and Shuanglong Spring. The whole village is connected by stone slab roads, with small bridges over flowing water, and winding paths leading to secluded spots. Although it cannot be compared with the ancient villages of Huizhou, it is also the most well-preserved, with the best Feng Shui, and the deepest cultural heritage, known as the number one village in Hunan Province. The ticket price is 30 yuan, hoping it will be used for the maintenance of ancient buildings, so we no longer see large areas of dilapidated houses.

Banliang Ancient Village is a 4A-level scenic area with a unique geographical location. The ancient village is well-preserved, with a history of over 600 years. It is known as the 'First Ancient Village in Southern Hunan'. The village is simple and profound, with a long history, rich cultural heritage, and beautiful scenery. It features pristine natural landscapes, fresh air, and a natural simplicity with a touch of antiquity, free from commercialization. The local residents are honest and kind, allowing visitors to experience the local customs and folkways, which are full of interest. Walking into the ancient village, lanterns hang high in the alleys, and the ticket price is reasonable. Stone lions, stone bridges, and stone alleys, ancient trees, ancient carvings, and ancient eaves, as well as the bluestone roads and tile-roofed houses, all tell their history. The scenery is nice and tranquil, with a unique and charming architectural style; the ancient village is suitable for taking photos in traditional costumes, a great choice with an excellent experience. Location: Gaotingsi Town, Yongxing County, Chenzhou City Transportation: Self-driving is recommended for convenient and quick parking.

🌟Highlight features: Explore the traditional villages of southern Hunan: discounted tickets are available online, tickets are collected on site, and the entrance verification is orderly. The parking lot is spacious and free of charge, providing convenience for your self-driving tour. This place is not only the root of the Liu family, but also a living fossil of ancient southern Hunan residences. Stroll through the village, feel the daily life of the original residents, taste the clear and cool spring water, which can be drunk directly. The private school, ancient temple, and Wangfu Tower in the village are well preserved. Walking around, you can appreciate its charm in one or two hours. The rainy day adds a touch of simplicity and tranquility, which is a rare good opportunity to visit ancient villages. 🚉Traffic strategy: Suitable for self-driving tours, about 50 minutes drive from Chenzhou city Banliang ancient village