[2025 Fuchuan Attraction] Travel Guide for Fuchuan Ancient City of Ming Dynasty (Updated May)

For the first stop of my New Year trip, I chose the treasure town of Fuchuan in Guangxi. On the night of the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month, I watched the Guangxi intangible cultural heritage - dragon blasting - here with my own eyes. Shocked by the sound of firecrackers all over the city, this guide, which I got at the cost of my hair and clothes being burned by sparks, is here~ Every year from the 10th to the 15th day of the first lunar month (see official notice for details), the Fuchuan Yao Autonomous County of Hezhou, Guangxi, will hold the Lantern and Dragon Festival. The Yao people celebrate the festival by appreciating lanterns and blasting dragons, and pray for good luck, peace and prosperity in the new year. The dragon team from each street has to pay homage to each shrine and perform the ritual of "three bows and three circles" known as "Cai Qing". After visiting all nine shrines, they gather in the center of the county town. The crowd, who had been waiting for the "dragon explosion" for a long time, lit the firecrackers in their hands and threw them at the dragon. The firecrackers exploded all over the dragon and the dragon danced in the firecrackers. Fire is everywhere, this is Fuchuan’s most distinctive way to celebrate the New Year! There is a local saying that the more dragon dancers there are, the more powerful the street is. As for the dragon itself, the more it is blown up and the more rotten its body is, the more blessings the dragon receives from people, and the people living in this street will have a more prosperous life in the coming year. 🐲Dragon Tour Route: Gu Ming City Gate-Zhenwu Tower-Fuchuan Confucian Temple-Dongmen Bridge-Xinyong Street-Minzu Road-Fenghuang Road-Return 🏠Accommodation Recommendation: 1. Fuchuan International Hotel: Good location, you can see the dragon explosion scene when you open the window, but you must book at least one month in advance! 2. Ancient City B&B: Experience the local customs at affordable prices. I recommend "Longteng Inn". The owner is super enthusiastic! 🍜Food check-in: 1. Triangle dumplings: 3 for 1 yuan, unique flavor, suitable for all ages, can be found everywhere in the ancient city! 2. Fuchuan Glutinous Rice Balls: I have never seen glutinous rice balls that big. The glutinous rice balls here have many fillings, and you can choose sweet or savory flavors, all delicious! 💥 Dragon Blasting Guide: 1. Best viewing spots: Zhenwu Tower, Fengyu Bridge, ancient city wall, intersection of Minzu Road and Fenghuang Road, remember to reserve a spot in advance! 2. Necessary equipment: hat, scarf, mask (to protect against firecracker ash), raincoat (to protect against firecrackers), comfortable shoes (to walk farther and stand for a longer time) 3. Safety tips: The dragon explosion site is crowded with people, so be sure to pay attention to safety, keep an eye on your belongings, and don't get too close! 💡Tips: 1. Accommodation is tight during the Dragon Festival, so make sure to book in advance! 2. The local weather is changeable, so remember to bring rain gear and warm clothes. 3. There will be a large flow of people at the dragon-blasting site, so it is recommended to travel during off-peak hours. 4. Traffic control will be implemented at the event site. It is recommended to travel by electric vehicle or bicycle, otherwise you will need to walk a long way. Fuchuan fried dragon is worthy of being the intangible cultural heritage of Guangxi, it is really wonderful! I'll come again next year~

3-day tour from Hezhou to Guilin. We recommend that seniors visit Hongyan Village to enjoy the persimmons and the peaceful rural scenery! -------- Recommended attractions: 🌟 Hongyan Village 🌟🌟 Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐ Address: Lianhua Town, Gongcheng Yao Autonomous County, Guilin, Guangxi Opening hours: All day Duration: 1 day Hongyan Village is a new eco-tourism village surrounded by lush fruit trees and unique karst landforms. In autumn, the village is full of golden persimmons, making it a great place to take photos! 🌟 Maling Drum Tower Village 🌟🌟 Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐ Address: Tongshan Village, Maling Town, Lipu, Guilin, Guangxi Opening hours: 08:00–16:30 Duration: 1 day Want to experience Dong culture and history? Maling Drum Tower Village is your best choice. The village maintains the original lifestyle of the Dong people. 🌟 Xiushui Zhuangyuan Village 🌟🌟 Recommendation: ⭐⭐ Address: Chaodong Town, Fuchuan Yao Autonomous County, Hezhou, Guangxi Opening hours: All day Duration: 2–3 hours Xiushui Village is full of ancient charm, with Ming and Qing architecture and historical sites everywhere. The natural scenery is similar to that of Guilin, making it a great place for a leisurely stroll and sightseeing. 🌟 Fuchuan Ancient Ming City 🌟🌟 Recommendation: ⭐⭐ Address: No. 18 Wenjiao Road, Fuchuan Yao Autonomous County, Hezhou, Guangxi Opening hours: All day Duration: 1–2 hours Want to experience rich history and culture? Come to Fuchuan Ancient Ming City! Built in the 29th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, the ancient city covers an area of about 0.42 square kilometers and is a testament to history. -------- Travel tips: - February weather: It often rains in Hezhou and Guilin in February, so remember to bring an umbrella 🌂 and dress warmly, as it can still be cold in spring. - Food: Don't miss Guilin rice noodles and Hezhou niuchangsu (sour beef intestines). Authentic delicacies are waiting for you to try! 😋 - Airport transportation: Plan your route in advance. You can choose to rent a car 🚗 or take public transportation for convenient travel. - Local customs: There are many local folk activities. You can experience Yao dance and Zhuang songs in the mountains and rivers of Guilin 🎶 and enjoy the ethnic customs. -------- From Hezhou to Guilin, you'll be accompanied by beautiful scenery along the way. Don't forget to use your camera to capture these unforgettable moments! 🌟

The old city of Fuchuan is located in Fuchuan Yao Autonomous County, Hezhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It was first built in the 29th year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty (1396 AD). It was originally an earthen wall and was later changed to a brick wall. It has been rebuilt eight times since its establishment until the end of the Qing Dynasty. In the eighth year of Emperor Qianlong's reign in the Qing Dynasty (1743 AD), the city gates were replaced with bricks instead of stones. There are four city gates: Shengping Gate in the east, Taiding Gate in the west (destroyed by war in the late Qing Dynasty), Xiangri Gate in the south, and Ying'en Gate in the north. There are towers on the gates. The city currently preserves ancient buildings and structures such as shrines, ancestral halls of various families, ancient wells, ancient houses, Confucian temples, theaters, and a well-shaped pebble flower street. In 1994, the old city of Fuchuan was announced as a cultural relic protection unit of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Ticket information: Free Opening hours: All day Transportation Guide: You can reach Fuchuan City by taking bus No. 1 or No. 2.

Fuchuan County has a Ming Dynasty relic, the Ancient Ming City. The existing two gate towers are ancient and imposing, worth admiring for a long time. There are still residents living in the Ancient Ming City, which gives the relic a lively atmosphere. We just walked through here without stopping.

◆ In Hezhou, Guangxi, the ancient town of Huangyao and Gupo Mountain are well-known, yet few people are aware that Fuchuan Yao Autonomous County in Hezhou, Guangxi, is also a place well worth visiting. ◆ Fuchuan is the birthplace of Yao culture in Lingnan and is located at the junction of Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hunan provinces. The ancient Xiaohe Path, which dates back to the Qin and Han dynasties, runs through the territory like a jade belt, with numerous traditional villages, historical and cultural villages, and ethnic minority villages shining like dazzling pearls along the old path. ◆ Fuchuan Ancient Ming City It was established in the 29th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty. Inside the city, the Confucian temple, the Martial temple, cobblestone streets, ancient opera stages, lantern towers, ancient wells, and traditional residential buildings are all well-preserved. 🌈 Admission: Free Visiting Time: 1~2 hours Address: Wenjiao Road, Fuchuan Yao Autonomous County, Hezhou, Guangxi Parking: There is a large parking lot at the tourist center of the scenic area, or parking spaces within the white lines on the roadside ◆ Xiushui 'Top Scholar' Village Named 'Top Scholar Village' because it produced 1 top scholar and 26 advanced scholars. Within the village, there are eight major scenic spots: 'Three Rivers Surging Waves', 'Ling Mountain Precious Stone', 'Sleeping Rabbit in the Mist', 'Natural Jade Mirror', 'Green Dragon in the Fog', 'Clawed Crag Immortal Rock', 'Great Peng Spreading Wings', and 'Transformed Carp in the Clouds', hence the village is known as 'Little Guilin'. The village has attractions such as the Top Scholar Tower, ancient opera stages, ancient archways, ancient spring pools, and ancient protective walls, as well as various ancient plaques given by emperors throughout the dynasties and official congratulatory gifts, along with ancient residential buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties and other historical relics. 🌈 Admission: Free Visiting Time: 2~3 hours Address: Xiushui Village, Chaodong Town, Fuchuan County, Hezhou, Guangxi Parking: There is a free parking lot at the entrance of the village. ◆ Fuxi Village Fuxi Village is an ancient Tang and Song dynasty village in Fuchuan Yao Township, with rich pastoral scenery and karst topography. The village's historical streets, residences, gate towers, and ancestral halls largely maintain their traditional architectural forms. Many buildings, stone carvings, and stone art reflect the cultural and traditional craftsmanship of the Song dynasty. Fuxi Village has numerous historical and cultural relics, forming an ancient village structure system of 'one stream, two temples, three bridges, four ancestral halls, thirteen gate towers, fifteen streets, and twenty-four opera stages', with the Ma Yin Temple and Zhong Ling Wind and Rain Bridge being national key cultural relics protection units. 🌈 Admission: Free Visiting Time: 2~3 hours Address: Fuxi Village, Chaodong Town, Fuchuan County, Hezhou, Guangxi Parking: There is a free parking lot at the entrance of the village ◆ Chashan Village Chashan Village was the first entry point into Lingnan from the Central Plains via the ancient Xiaohe Path during the Qin and Han dynasties, established during the Ming dynasty, and has a history of over 600 years. The main feature of Chashan Village is the ancient Xiaohe Path in the middle of the village, with shops opened along the street. Cars are parked at the bridgehead community service center, and an elderly man immediately comes over to collect a fee of 10 yuan per vehicle. Compared to the other two villages, the experience is much less satisfying. 🌈 Admission: Free Address: Chashan Village, Chaodong Town, Fuchuan County, Hezhou, Guangxi The distance from Fuchuan Ancient Ming City to Xiushui Village or Fuxi Village is about 35 kilometers, from Xiushui Village to Fuxi Village is about 10 kilometers, and from Xiushui Village to Chashan Village is 3 kilometers.