[2025 Dongyang Attraction] Travel Guide for Luzhai (Updated Apr)

If you are visiting Hengdian I recommend this little trip to visit Dongyang Woodcarving Museum [for free] and Luzhai [tickets] in one day. One way taxi from Hengdian costs 30-45 yuan. Regular ticket to Luzhai scenic spot cost 65 yuan or 10% less bought one day before using trip app. Tickets can be bought on site without any problem. There are free printed scenic spot maps in Tourist Information Center with recommended tour route - but this route is not precisely drawn. There is no direct passage from Suyong grand hall to Tinware hall. After visiting all the ticket zone [which is only a part of the whole scenic spot] and going back to Suyong hall, you need to leave the ticket zone the same way you entered it and then visit the rest of the buildings [Tinware hall included] in free entry zone. It is interesting place, especially the ticket zone compound [antique buildings, some not in the original location, moved in 90', a lot of old furniture].

As long as you see the pearl lanterns, the ticket to Lu’s house will not be bought in vain! Highlight the key points 💯 1️⃣Tickets💰 The sale will end at 16:30 on the day, you can buy it on site, 65 for adults💰 Elderly people aged 60-70, children aged 6-18 or 1.2-1.5 meters in height, undergraduate students and below with certificates, 30💰 Active military personnel, disabled persons, Zhejiang blood donation certificate holders, teachers who have taught in Zhejiang for more than 30 years, free of charge🆓 In addition, the annual pass is 99 with unlimited use! 2️⃣Visiting time 🕐 8:30-17:00 The park closes at 5pm and ticket sales stop at 4:30pm That is to say, if you walk fast, you can see the whole Lu residence in half an hour. Of course, slowing down and appreciating it is the correct way to open it✅ 3️⃣ Tour route ⭐If you have enough time, follow the recommended route👀 Slowly feel this mansion full of stories that has been deposited in the long river of history Walking on the stone road, you will see the Grand Mansion Gate, Peony Pavilion, and the Dream Garden. Many stories emerge before my eyes through light and shadow Until the end, I saw the colorful pearl lamp. Glowing in the afternoon light ⭐If you are in a hurry, turn right at the front hall door, the colorful lights are waiting for you!

Since ancient times, Dongyang in central Zhejiang has been known as the "Hometown of Craftsmen." Since the Southern Song Dynasty, Dongyang has formed the "Dongyang School" with architectural craftsmen as the core and traditional handicraft craftsmen as the main body, which is known as one of the three major architectural schools along with the Suzhou Xiangshan School and Ningbo Ningbo School. By the Ming, Qing, and Republic of China periods, the "Dongyang School" led by masons and carpenters had reached its peak in terms of skills and practitioners, and was one of the largest, most skilled, and most influential architectural schools in Jiangnan. Most of the famous Huizhou-style buildings are the work of the Dongyang School, and the traditional residential building system of the Dongyang School covers 11 prefectures in Zhejiang, except for Wenzhou, Taizhou, Ningbo, and some other areas. Dongyang wood carving is the most distinctive feature of the Dongyang School. "The Forbidden City in the north, Luzhai in the south." Luzhai is known as the Forbidden City of the people. The entire longitudinal axis has nine courtyards, with a length of 320 meters. In China, only the Forbidden City and the Confucius Temple have such a structure. In Luzhai, there are only ox legs with reverse "S" shape, spout bucket top shape, plum deer ox legs, lion ox legs, and ox legs with historical allusions and characters. In addition to wood carving, stone carving, brick carving, clay sculpture, pile sculpture, and painting are also fully utilized here. There are more than 300 palace lanterns from the Ming and Qing dynasties in the Su Yong Hall.

The Lu Residence in Dongyang, Jinhua, Zhejiang, is a must-visit place for ancient building enthusiasts. The Lu Residence was first built in the seventh year of the Jingtai reign of the Ming Dynasty (1456). It is a complex of ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties in the south of the Yangtze River, including ancestral halls, academies, temples, and archways. The "Suyong Hall" axis is the main building. It is the third batch of key cultural relics protected in the country. The "Folk Palace Museum" 【history】 The Fanyang Lu family is a famous aristocratic family in the north. In the second year of the Jing Kang period of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127), Lu Yuanfu, the ancestor of the Lu family, moved from Hebei to Dongyang. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Lu family produced 8 Jinshi (Jinshi) and 29 Juren (including 2 Jieyuan), "three phoenixes from the same family", "two dragons in one leap", and "grandfather, grandson, father, son and brothers all passed the imperial examinations". 【Architectural Features】 Suyong Hall is grand and solemn, Shude Hall is tall and majestic, and Dongyin Hall is small and exquisite, representing different architectural concepts and cultural ideas respectively. It integrates Dongyang wood carving, stone carving, brick carving and painting art, among which the wood carving art is the most outstanding. Its halls and pavilions widely use Dongyang traditional wood carving techniques such as deep relief, shallow relief, hollow carving and round carving. 🔥Baogai Soluolian Sanju Colorful Spike Sheep Horn Lamp This lantern was made in the 7th year of the Republic of China (1918). The whole lantern is 4.05 meters high, 2.1 meters in diameter, weighs 127.5 kilograms, and is made of about 400,000 glass beads. 🦁Nine lions playing ball and three beams It is carved from a whole piece of camphor wood over 1.7 meters tall and is 1.5 meters tall. Ancient artists used deep relief, openwork and round carving techniques to carve lions with both form and spirit, which is the pinnacle of Dongyang's traditional architectural wood carvings. Xing "Da Fangbo" Stone Archway: A stone archway with three doors, four pillars and five floors, it is tall and majestic. 📣Other attractions: Lu's Xiangtang, Shanqingtang, Jiahuitang, Xianchentang, Shudetang, Dunxutang Address: Luzhai Village, East Suburb, Dongyang City, Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province Tickets: 65 yuan, 58 yuan if purchased one day in advance.

| These 6 places made me redefine shock. After traveling for so many years, I rarely use "shocking" to describe a place. These 6 places in 2024 let me see what is truly amazing. ✅ Dongyang Lu's House - Baogai Suoluolian Sanju Colorful Spike Sheep Horn Lamp Walking into Lu's House is like traveling back to the prosperous family of ancient times. The goat horn lamp is a treasure that protects the house. The lamp is 4.5 meters high and weighs 250 kilograms. There are three large lamps made of sheepskin, silk and goat horns connected in the middle. There are 6 strings of 24 small goat horn lamps and bead basket lamps hanging on the outside, which are made of 400,000 colorful glass beads. It was included in the Guinness World Records. ✅Xiaoxitian - Ceiling with hanging sculptures The hanging sculptures of Xiaoxitian are distributed in the main hall, making full use of the limited space to create a three-dimensional, multi-layered Buddhist world. The production of the hanging sculptures took 12 years, and more than 1,030 lifelike colored sculptures were carefully created in a space of 217 square meters. The characters are lifelike, with different postures, densely packed yet orderly. Each statue is the result of the painstaking efforts of ancient craftsmen, and one cannot help but marvel at the greatness of art. ✅Guangsheng Temple - Feihong Tower The most exquisite and best preserved glazed tower in existence, the tower is decorated with rich glazed components and patterns, with bright colors and fine workmanship, reflecting the superb glazed craftsmanship. Even on a cloudy day (it was raining heavily when I went there), the glazed tower is still dazzling. ✅Wanrong Feiyun Building Feiyun Building has three floors on the outside, but actually has five floors on the inside. The whole building does not use a single nail, and all components are connected with mortise and tenon structures to ensure the stability of the building. The brackets of Feiyun Tower are intricate and exquisite, layered one on top of the other, as light and floating as clouds, or like a bird spreading its wings about to fly. Looking up, one cannot help but admire the architectural wisdom of the ancients. ✅Yongle Palace The murals of Yongle Palace are famous for their grand scale, exquisite craftsmanship and profound historical and cultural connotations, especially the "Chao Yuan Tu" in the Sanqing Hall, which is colorful and lifelike, showing the Taoist immortal system and is known as the "Oriental Art Gallery". ‼ ️Since taking photos is prohibited inside the temple, the photos are replicas of the Yuncheng Museum ✅Jilue Huanggong Temple in Chaozhou - Woodcarving Walking into the Jilue Huanggong Temple is like walking into a temple of woodcarving art. Beams, brackets, brackets... everywhere is full of exquisite wood carvings, figures, flowers and birds, landscapes, dazzling and overwhelming - Each of these 6 places brought me unparalleled shock. If you also love traveling and exploring the unknown, you might as well go to these places. I believe you will be impressed by their charm.

I went to Dongyang from Jinhua. I found a light rail line in Jinhua called the Jinyi East Line, which runs from Jinhua to Yiwu. There is a Qintang Station in the middle where you can transfer to Dongyang. I heard that there is a Luzhai in Dongyang, which is an ancient mansion, so I went to have a look. I was amazed when I arrived at Luzhai. There is such a beautiful and huge ancient house in the folk. The brick carvings on the archways and the wood carvings on the houses have a history of 600 years and are well preserved. There are no cultural and creative shops, no publicity, no fancy red lanterns. The red lanterns in other scenic spots outside are simply weak compared to the exquisite bead lanterns in Luzhai. Luzhai is so quietly hidden in the small city of Dongyang. On the day I went, the weather was hot, and the ticket office was a very small pavilion, inconspicuous. When I entered Luzhai, there were almost no people. I saw the living room full of lanterns in the TV series "Joy of Life", as if I had entered the scene at that time. The most shocking thing was the huge bead lanterns and the wood carvings on the beams, which were so complicated and exquisite. I marveled at the superb craftsmanship of ancient craftsmen.

In the early Southern Song Dynasty, the descendants of Jiang Ziya, the Lu family, moved to Dongyang and thrived. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Lu family became a prominent family known for their literary achievements. It is said that the Lu family produced 8 jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), 28 juren (successful candidates in the provincial imperial examinations), over 120 officials, and over 30 people who were recommended for official positions. The family is known for its stories of "three phoenixes from the same womb," "two dragons leaping together," and "grandfather, father, and son all passing the imperial examinations." As a result, the Lu family was known as a prominent family in Wuzhou and built many grand residences, witnessing the glorious period of private residences. After more than 300 years of continuous construction, Luzhai has become a complete residential complex from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Walking into Luzhai is like traveling through time and entering a scene from a film or TV drama. Luzhai, with its exquisite ancient architecture, is an ideal location for filming. It has been the filming location for over 30 films and TV dramas, including "Joy of Life 2," "The Opium War," "Yongzheng Dynasty," "Dismissal of Hai Rui," "April Rhapsody," and "The Granary." Wearing Hanfu and taking photos here adds a unique charm. Luzhai is known as the "Living Dongyang Woodcarving Museum," where woodcarving art is displayed to the fullest, with lifelike depictions of birds, animals, mythical creatures, war scenes, and flowers.

| There is the Forbidden City in the north and Luzhai in the south. 🌿"There is the Forbidden City in the north and Luzhai in the south." The reason why Lu's house has such high cultural relic value is because it is the place where the Lu family of Yaxi lived. Generally speaking, southern mansions generally have three entrances, while Lu House has nine entrances in total, and each entrance has a clear function. This house is so large that it can be said that it belongs to a prominent family in Dongyang. Dongyang's wood carvings, as a treasure of Chinese handicrafts, are perfectly reflected in every detail of Luzhai's architecture. 🧭Navigation: Luzhai (Dongyang) 🎫Tickets: 65 yuan; discounted price of 58 on major apps (may need to be purchased in advance); 🆓Free with Zhejiang Cultural Tourism Card 🚘Travel: Self-driving; Luzhai is in the city, and it is very convenient to take the bus when you get to Dongyang 🅿️Parking: free within one hour; 1-2 hours, 2 yuan per hour; more than 2 hours, 1.5 yuan per half hour; capped at 30 yuan per day. The parking lot is huge, not only on the ground but also underground. ⏰Play time: about two hours ⭐️Architectural style: The entire building community is simple and elegant, grand and beautiful, extraordinary in momentum, rigorous and regular, and symmetrical. It shows the residential structure of the Lu family tied by blood relations, and typically reflects the rich local characteristics of Dongyang wood carvings and the feudal scholar-bureaucrats. Traditional Feng Shui awareness. 🌈Featured landscape: ☀️Lobby lamp: There is an existing lobby lamp in Suyong Hall, which is 4.5 meters high and weighs 255 kilograms. Three large lamps of sheepskin, silk and sheep horns are connected up and down in the middle under the treasure cover. There are 6 strings of 24 small sheep horn lamps hanging from the periphery. The bead basket lamp is made of 400,000 colored glass beads and has been recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. ☀️Wood carving art: Lu Zhai’s wood carvings are exquisite and it is one of the most dazzling wood carving halls in China. The building components are carved with various patterns of flowers, birds, fish and insects, mission stories, landscapes and other patterns, and every part is ingenious. ☀️Archives: There are three archways at the ticket gate of Luzhai Scenic Area, namely: "Jingbiao Chastity Gate", "Da Fangbo", and "Fengji Family". They are very simple and elegant. Unfortunately, these three archways were rebuilt later. Yes, every time I visit ancient buildings, I will sigh, how great it would be if I could see the prosperous times. ☀️Suyong Hall: Founded in 1456, it consists of a corridor and nine front and rear buildings. It is the largest residential building in China. The plaque "Enrong IV" in the hall was given by Emperor Kangxi to General Lu Yuxiang of the Lu family. ☀️Nine Lions Playing Ball: There is a three-beam exhibition of "Nine Lions Playing Ball" in Jiahui Hall, which is known as "a unique thing in China". There are a pair of beams. One of the left and right beams has four lions, and the other has five lions. There are nine lions in total. They are first carved from fine camphor wood. They use round carving, deep relief, and hollow carving techniques. In order not to damage the ridge of the beam. The purlin reaches the pressure of the roof ridge, and the nine lions are connected into a whole through the hanging lotus pillar method. Ancient artists carved the lion into a lifelike shape that is both physical and spiritual. It is the pinnacle of Dongyang's traditional architectural wood carvings. 🧋Recommended food in the surrounding area: 🥒 Dongyang Wo Noodles, during the cooking process, constantly add starch and stir, so that the soup becomes mushy but the noodles are not mushy. I recommend "Beizhen Louwo Noodle House", located next to Lu's house. In addition, its soybean tofu is also worth trying. 🍇Nanma meat pie: The Nanma meat pie on Chenzhai Street has a good overall taste and is slightly oily. 🍓Exploded Tofu: The store name is "Lalala", it's next to Lu's House, and the taste is pretty good. 🍑 Shanglu Wonton: A specialty recommended by locals, but I didn’t try it today. 🌈Visiting experience: There are very few people and it is very quiet. If you like taking antique photos, this is the right place. There are also some antique clothing makeup shops outside the scenic area, but I have never experienced bad reviews.

Lu Residence, a Ming and Qing ancient architectural complex in Dongyang City, Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province, is the third batch of national key cultural relics protection units. It was built by the Lu family, a famous family in Wuzhou, from the end of the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty for hundreds of years, and became a large-scale architectural complex integrating ancestral halls, houses, and gardens. Suyongtang is the main body of Lu Residence. More than a dozen streets and alleys are arranged around it. It is divided into several pieces according to the branches of the clan. According to the rank of the official forest, the halls and houses are built separately, and each has a clear axis. The complete and closed architectural group. At its peak, Lu Residence had more than 60 large halls and residences, more than 20 wooden and stone archways, and more than 40 garden attractions, academies, villas, temples and Taoist temples dotted around. The central axis of Suyongtang is 320 meters long, with a total of nine courtyards and 125 halls and buildings, which is the largest in domestic houses. Dongyang Lu's originated from Zhuozhou, Hebei (formerly known as Fanyang), and was originally a descendant of Jiang Ziya, the grandfather of Qi. In the early years of the Southern Song Dynasty, "Yiguan Southward", the Lu family moved from Hebei to Zhejiang and built a house in Dongyang. In the Ming Dynasty, since Lu Ruizhong was a Jinshi in the 19th year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty (1421), the Lu family has been in the scientific examination for 500 years, with 27 people in the rural examination, 2 people in the championship, 8 people in the Jinshi, and more than 150 people involved in the official forest. There are not a few heavy ministers. The former President of South Korea, Roh Moo-hyun, was also a descendant of Dongyang Lu's. Lu Residence has three main attractions: archway wood carving lanterns

There is the Forbidden City in the north and Luzhai in the south. Dongyang Luzhai is a national key cultural relics protection unit, and the Suyongtang Hall Lantern is currently the largest hall lantern preserved in the world and has been listed in the Guinness World Records. Due to the easy wear and tear of the lanterns hanging outside, the production skills of the horn lanterns have been lost. The hall lanterns are usually stored in specially made lamp rooms and are basically hung every four years. The "treasure cover, suolo, three clusters, seven-color tassel, horn lantern" is 4.05 meters high, 2.10 meters in diameter, and weighs 127.5 kilograms. It is made of 400,000 glass colored beads. It is exactly the same as the "three clusters and five glass colored tassel lanterns" in Rongguo Mansion in "A Dream of Red Mansions", and it is even better. The bead lamp is an ancient traditional Chinese lamp, known for its exquisite craftsmanship and rich cultural connotations. The bead lamp is also called bead lamp, a set of five lamps, one large and four small, which are hung in the hall during festivals. The main lamp of the handed down bead lamp is divided into three layers, and the palace lamp, glass lamp, and bead belt are hung down one by one. The innermost main lamp is composed of three palace lamps. The upper part is a "six-sided sheepskin palace lamp", the middle is an "octagonal palace lamp", and the bottom is a bead lamp carefully strung with various bead ornaments. The outer layer is surrounded by glass lamps, and the bead lamps are also carefully strung with small beads into various ancient auspicious birds, such as phoenix, white crane, golden rooster, etc., symbolizing good luck, health and longevity. Therefore, the bead lamp is not only a lighting tool, but also carries profound cultural and symbolic meanings. For example, in some areas, bead lamps are used as symbols of praying for many children, good luck and prosperity.

🏡 Located in Luzhai Village, Dongyang City, Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province, the Lu Residence is a representative of ancient Chinese residential architecture. The Lu family has settled here since the Song Dynasty, living together generation after generation, forming a unique family culture. 🌐 There is a saying that 'the North has the Forbidden City, the South has the Lu Residence.' The scale and layout of the Lu Residence are similar to the Forbidden City, and it is known as the 'Folk Forbidden City.' The layout with a front hall and rear sleeping quarters, where the front hall is a public hall and the rear sleeping quarters are private living spaces, reflects the residential art of ancient families. 🚶‍♂ Before entering the Lu Residence, three archways welcome you, and then you walk through a wide causeway to see the true face of the Lu Residence. The entire longitudinal axis has nine sections, reaching a length of 320 meters, a structure only seen in the Forbidden City and the Confucius Temple in China. 💡 In the Suyong Hall of the Lu Residence, there is an especially gorgeous and elegant chandelier, 4.5 meters high, weighing 255 kilograms, made with 400,000 colored glass beads, even more spectacular than the lamp described in 'Dream of the Red Chamber,' and has been recorded in the Guinness World Records. 🚗 Travel Tips: Ticket Price: Adult ticket market price 65 yuan Opening Hours: Year-round 8:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:00) Transportation Guide: Self-driving, bus, public transport, various ways to directly reach the Lu Residence, convenient and fast. 📸 For photography enthusiasts and ancient architecture fans, the Lu Residence is definitely a place you can't miss. Whether it's the exquisite details of the architecture or the overall grand layout, it can bring you a visual shock. 🌈 What are you waiting for? Grab your friends and go on a trip on a whim, the Lu Residence awaits your exploration!

| Spanning a millennium in search of ancient charm, stroll through the old residence to enjoy a prosperous era. Come to Dongyang and check in for you, it's worth visiting. The Lu Residence, located in Luzhai Village on the eastern outskirts of Dongyang City, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, is an ancient Chinese residential building, with thousands of rooms, and more than 20 buildings still existing from the Ming Jingtai era to the early Republic of China. The architectural complex is surrounded by water on three sides, facing the Bijiashan to the south ✅Main Buildings The Lu Residence's Suyong Hall, which took six years to build, is arranged in a 'T' shape with nine courtyards, extending 320 meters in depth, grand in scale, with gorgeously carved components, blending Dongyang wood carving with painted art, incorporating brick carving and stone carving arts. The hall houses more than 300 types of palace lanterns from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Among them, the 'Baogai Suluo Lian Sanju Qicai Sui Yangjiao Lamp' in Suyong Hall is particularly magnificent and elegant, breathtaking, This grand hall lamp is 4.5 meters high, weighs 255 kilograms, and is made with 400,000 colored glass beads, and has been recorded in the Guinness World Records. ✅Cultural Relics The Lu Residence houses two masterpieces of Dongyang wood carving: the 'Nine Lions Playing Ball' three-beam structure, carved from a whole piece of camphor wood over 1.7 meters, reaching 1.5 meters in height. Ancient artists used techniques such as deep relief, through-carving, and round carving to sculpt lions that are vivid and lifelike, truly the pinnacle of Dongyang's traditional architectural wood carving. The 'hook-and-join' structure used between the front hall and the main hall of Suyong Hall is another unique feature of Dongyang wood carving. To avoid the hall being too deep, to prevent the roof from rising continuously affecting the aesthetics, and to save materials, Dongyang's skilled craftsmen designed this 'hook-and-join'—two roofs connected together, with a specially designed 'big ditch' at the joint for water flow. It can be said that the essence of ancient Dongyang wood carving is hidden in the Lu Residence. ✅About 'The Forbidden City in the north, the Lu Residence in the south' The Dongyang Lu Residence has a central axis, similar in layout to the Forbidden City, known as 'front hall and rear sleeping quarters', The front hall is the public hall of the Lu family, used for sacrifices, gatherings, entertainment, celebrations, discussions, and teaching among the clan, while behind the Shikumen is the living space for family members and servants, usually closed to outsiders. The entire central axis has nine sections, stretching 320 meters. In China, only the Forbidden City and the Confucius Temple have such a structure, and the Confucius Temple is specially granted by the royal family, with a spatial sequence identical to the Forbidden City, hence the Lu Residence is known as the 'Forbidden City of the people'. 🎫Ticket: 65r ⏰Opening Hours: Year-round 8:00-17:00

In the north lies the Forbidden City, and in the south resides the Lu Residence." The Lu Residence can be called the folk Forbidden City. The Suyong Hall of the Lu Residence, with its nine courtyards arranged in a herringbone layout, extends 320 meters in depth, making it the longest among domestic residences. It boasts a grand scale, with ornate architectural components, blending Dongyang wood carving with colorful painting arts, and integrating brick carving and stone carving arts. The hall houses more than three hundred various palace lanterns from the Ming and Qing dynasties. As one of the lesser-known attractions, the Lu Residence ancient architectural complex from the Ming and Qing dynasties is located outside the Yinghui Gate of the old county town of Dongyang in Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province, now on the eastern side of Dongyang city area. Situated in the eastern suburbs of Dongyang city area, it is the largest Ming and Qing architectural complex in the south of the Yangtze River, known as the folk Forbidden City. Since the Ming dynasty, the talented Lu family has been a prominent and respected clan in Dongyang. The Lu family's residence, after more than three hundred years of construction, has formed a complete Ming and Qing architectural complex, surrounded by streams, with cobblestone streets running through it, evoking a sense of nostalgia during a stroll. The Lu family's ancestors originally lived in Zhuozhou (now in Hebei), and during the early years of the Song dynasty's Xianping era (998), Lu Lian moved to the mouth of Mount Tiantai (near present-day Baihe Town of Tiantai). Seven generations later, Lu, in the early years of the Song dynasty's Zhiping era (1064), moved to Qiaoxi, a western village of Dongyang (east of present-day Shendaomen). After three more generations, Lu Yuanfu moved to Yaxi. Now, to the northeast of the Lu Residence was originally the hometown of He Mengran, a Southern Song dynasty official; the He family later moved to Lintou, leaving only the He family foundation. Zijin Bridge was originally the Xu family's hometown, whose descendants are now unknown. The village is named after the Lu family surname, Lu Residence. To the south of the village are the three peaks of Nanping, known as the Penholder Mountain. On the shady side of the mountain, three branches of elegant water flow, encircling the village. The Suyong Hall is the core and main axis of the Lu Residence ancient architectural complex. To the east of the South Lema Peak in the Lu Residence is the Dongxian Peak, which serves as the southern barrier of the Lu Residence. The Lu family has always valued education. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, apart from the family school for young children's learning, there were the Xianfeng Academy and the Hetin Academy. The Hetin Academy was built by Lu Ge, a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations, who resigned from his official position and returned home in the 15th year of the Ming Hongzhi era (1502), with two academies, east and west, preserved until the end of the Qing dynasty. In the 32nd year of the Qing Guangxu era (1906), the privately-run Gaodeng Peifeng School was established, with classrooms set up in the Shude Hall and Suyong Hall. In 1914, it was renamed the privately-run Dansu Primary School, and in 1930, the senior department moved into the Lu Liemin Public Shrine on Chen Residence Street.

Recommend a truly obscure ancient town in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai area! Even on holidays, there are no tourists at all, a real hidden gem + authentic ancient town that I've discovered! 'North has the Forbidden City, south has Lu Residence,' the Lu Residence mentioned here is an ancient architectural complex from the Ming and Qing dynasties, grand in scale, once the dwelling place of the descendants of Jiang Taigong, the Lu family of Yaxi. The Lu Residence combines Dongyang wood carving, brick carving, and lanterns, among other crafts, in one residence, with the 'Nine Lions Playing Ball' three-beam structure as its representative. The treasure of the residence is the 'Baogai Suoluo Lian Sanju Qicai Sui Yangjiao Lantern,' made with 400,000 colored glass beads, it is the largest hall lantern in the world (this is displayed once every four years, and only appears on important festivals or leap years). The Lu Residence ancient architectural complex is also considered a major feature of Dongyang. I took advantage of a free opportunity to enter the Suyong Hall, and fortunately, there were quite a few tourists when I went, the many Chinese-style displays inside can be a bit immersive in a Chinese horror sense, especially the Chinese wedding room, with its red drapes that are strikingly new and create a strong visual contrast, inducing a sense of psychological oppression. The deeper you go into the Suyong Hall, the more traces of ancient times you can see, and there is also a very spectacular ancestral hall, with many small rooms inside, like a treasure hunt, one by one, and some rooms that have not been renovated. When I left, I wandered around and didn't even know where I was. +500-year-old ancient buildings, exquisitely beautiful wood carvings, and colored glaze lanterns +Outer ancient building area + inside Lu Residence + wood carving street + night market, very playable +2 hours from Hangzhou, 30 minutes from Hengdian, right in the city, no need to traverse mountains, convenient transportation, easy to find food and accommodation~ The streets around the Lu Residence are also worth exploring at night, Location: Dongyang Lu Residence (north parking lot at the main entrance) Tickets: 65 for inside the Lu Residence, free for the outer ancient building area, free for the art museum.

There is a saying about the Lu residence, 'The Forbidden City in the north, the Lu residence in the south.' Walking through one gate after another, you are immediately struck by the profound sense of history. One can't help but imagine the various scenes of the Lu family's life here, each place intriguing. I used to think that grand mansions in Jiangnan were all about luxury and grandeur, but after seeing the Lu residence, I realized that a mansion can also be elegant and understated. Most people who go to Dongyang are heading for Hengdian, yet this real ancient residence, the Lu residence, is rarely mentioned. I happened to pass by Dongyang and saw the sign for the Lu residence, only after searching did I realize it's a hidden gem of an attraction. Not many people on weekdays, and there is parking available near the visitor center. The Lu residence belongs to a long-renowned group of ancient buildings in the Jiangnan region. Along the axes of the Suyong Hall and the Shude Hall, there are six groups of buildings including the Fangbo Mansion, the Zhushi Mansion, the Dafu Mansion, the Shijinshi Mansion, the Wutai Hall, and the Longwei Hall, stretching over 300 meters in depth and covering more than 500 acres. The architectural value of the Lu residence is reflected in its nine successive halls, similar to the Forbidden City, and its exquisite wood carving craftsmanship. Must-see: 1. The treasure of the residence, the pearl lamp, is said to weigh 240 jin (about 120 kg), and the craftsmanship is lost and easily damaged, so the original is exhibited only once every four years. Exceptionally gorgeous. 2. The Nine Lions Playing with a Ball on three beams. Lifelike and very dynamic in carving. 3. The 'hooked joint' structure used between the front hall and the main hall of the Suyong Hall. Address: No. 2, Luzhai Street, Dongyang City Ticket price: 65 yuan (I used the Jinhua 99 yuan annual pass), 58 yuan for online ticket purchase the day before.

🍀 The Lu Residence is located in Luzhai Village, Dongyang, Zhejiang, the dwelling place of the Dongyang Lu family clan, and also the most completely preserved ancient Ming and Qing architectural complex in the south of the Yangtze River. It was listed as a national key cultural relics protection unit in 1988. Navigation to Luzhai Scenic Area, Dongyang City, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province 🎫 Ticket price: 58 yuan. ⏱ Opening hours: 8:30-16:30. 🅿️ There is a large paid parking lot right next to the scenic area. 📷 Sightseeing 1. Dongyang Wood Carving. Various forms of Dongyang wood carving art are displayed, represented by the 'Nine Lions Playing with a Ball' triple-beam structure. 2. Palace Lanterns. More than three hundred palace lanterns made of wood carving, bamboo silk, colored glaze, and colored beads, all precious relics from the Ming and Qing dynasties. 3. Ancient Architectural Complex. Centered around the Lu family ancestral hall, with the three halls of Fu Jing, Su Yong, and Shu De standing tall. The Su Yong Hall is the main axis of the Lu Residence architectural complex, with thousands of rooms. The beautifully carved ceilings, door and window lattices, partitions, exquisite stone and brick carvings, and the uniquely styled horse-head wall architecture all showcase Dongyang's profound cultural heritage as the 'hometown of a hundred trades'. 4. Three Stone Arches. Located at the entrance of the scenic area, next to the old street

As people's living standards improve, the festive atmosphere of the New Year has become increasingly subdued. To truly experience the ambiance of the holiday season, one might have to visit malls and scenic spots. Dongyang Luzhai was newly recognized as a national 4A-level scenic spot at the end of 2023. With the Spring Festival approaching, large red lanterns are hung high, and a few red plum trees against the white walls tell the lively stories of the people. The Luzhai scenic area includes two parts: the ancient architectural complex and the intangible cultural heritage district. The former is a national-level cultural relics protection unit, while the latter is a provincial-level traditional residential culture inheritance and ecological protection zone. The intangible cultural heritage district features white walls, black tiles, small bridges, and flowing water, exuding the rich architectural culture of Dongyang. 📍Detailed address: Dongyang City, Zhejiang Province, Luzhai Intangible Cultural Heritage District Ticket price: Free ⏳Time reference: 2 hours

Dongyang Luzhai, with three peaks standing to the south and Yaxi River encircling it, is known for its tradition of poetry and propriety, and a lineage of scholarly achievements, earning it the reputation of 'the prestigious clan of Wuyi'. From the Ming to the Qing dynasty, the Lu family built many grand mansions, known as the 'Folk Forbidden City'. The most well-preserved is the Suyong Hall built during the Ming dynasty, also known as 'the Forbidden City in the north, Suyong in the south', which is a national key cultural relics protection unit. In December 2023, Dongyang Luzhai was rated as a national 4A-level tourist attraction. Thus, the small town of Dongyang now boasts one 5A-level (Hengdian World Studios) and three 4A-level (China Wood Carving City, Huayuan Village, Luzhai) tourist attractions. Between the Luzhai ancient architectural complex and the Luzhai intangible cultural heritage district, there is a pedestrian street. Because the ancient architectural complex charges an entrance fee of 65 yuan, many tourists often prefer this pedestrian street. This is an antique-style street called 'Luzhai Old Street'. The street is paved with cobblestones and flanked by antique-style buildings, with shops mainly selling wood and bamboo carvings and antiques. Compared to some bustling old streets, Luzhai Old Street appears more refreshing and elegant. 'The archways of Luzhai, the ancestral halls of Lizhai.' The most eye-catching feature of the 'Old Street' are probably the several exquisite and towering archways. Behind each archway, there is a proud story. 📍Detailed address: Luzhai Scenic Area, Dongyang City, Zhejiang Province Ticket price: Free

It's true that 'the North has the Forbidden City, the South has the Lu Residence' is not an overstatement. 🏮 After visiting the Lu Residence, Zheng Xinmiao, the director of the Palace Museum, said: The Lu Residence is the folk Forbidden City of the south. With its grey tiles and white walls, cobblestone pavements, and exquisite wood carvings, it is a collection of fine arts. When I first entered this southern Forbidden City, I was deeply shocked. 🏠 The treasure of the Lu Residence is a ram's horn lantern over 4 meters tall, the largest hall lantern in the world. What is on display now is a replica, and the real ram's horn lantern is displayed every leap year or during major events. This year happens to be a leap year, so friends in the vicinity, remember to visit during the Spring Festival~ 📍 Lu Residence in Dongyang City, Jinhua, Zhejiang. Friends from other places can take the high-speed train to Dongyang North Station or Yiwu Station, and the plane can arrive at Yiwu Airport. ❤️ Strolling through this Ming and Qing dynasty residence, admiring the Dongyang wood carvings, surrounded by the natural scent of wood, evokes old memories. The whole person becomes gentle and peaceful, which is probably the unique charm of the scent of wood. If you can't come to experience it in person, the scented candle of Fu Sheng Liu Ji's covered-bowl tea can give you the same experience. The Chinese covered-bowl shape makes the process of lighting the scented candle as comfortable as drinking tea. The black 'Ebony Buddha Hall', with a black tea woody note. After lighting, it is the cool and distant scent of a temple. As if slowly ascending the steps, the temple emerges from the mist, the light scent of frankincense softens the hardness of the wood, adding a touch of intriguing gentleness. The red 'Redwood Qitan', with a sandalwood Ganoderma note. An Eastern dream, sandalwood is spirited. The fragrance of Ganoderma mixed with sandalwood, gently embraced by the trees with each breath, empties the self in the Eastern Zen. Little Tips: 1⃣️ The Lu Residence's beaded lamps are surrounded by railings, which I removed in post-production. 2⃣️ The Lu Residence is all wooden structures, so open flames are not allowed. My scented candle lighting shots were taken outside or with flames added in post-production. 3⃣️ The beautiful archway in the first picture is outside the Lu Residence, and you can take pictures without entering the scenic area.

In Chapter 53 of 'Dream of the Red Chamber', the Rongguo Mansion holds a night banquet during the Lantern Festival, where the dazzling array of decorations captivates all who see them, especially the lanterns, which are numerous and varied. Among them, a pair of combined hall lanterns known as the 'Triple Union and Quintuple Cluster Glass Hibiscus Tassel Lanterns' are particularly stunning. In the Lu Residence of Dongyang City, Zhejiang Province, hangs a set of 'Treasure Cover Chain-linked Triple Union and Septuple Cluster Colored Tassel Ram's Horn Lanterns' that surpass even the grand hall lanterns described in 'Dream of the Red Chamber'. They are the largest hall lanterns in the world and have a history of over 100 years. The residence has two hall lanterns in total, one authentic and one replica. The authentic one is only hung during major festivals in leap years and is returned to a special lamp room for preservation after the event. The authentic lantern is not lit all day when displayed; it is turned off after being lit for a while to protect the lifespan of the cultural relic. Regarding the lighting time: The specific lighting times are managed by the security uncle there (the uncle is very easy to talk to, and if you want to light the lantern, you can directly approach him). I went in the morning, and the lanterns were lit twice around 10 am and 12 pm, with each session lasting about an hour. The replica is on display all year round (P7), and while it is just as impressive as the authentic one, it is not lit in principle (see the previous suggestion). 'North has the Forbidden City, south has the Lu Residence' Additionally, the Lu Residence is a national key cultural relics protection unit. Its Ming and Qing residential architecture is quite grand and well-preserved. On the day I visited, it had just rained, and the sky was somewhat overcast. Due to the sparse number of tourists, the vast mansion had a sense of immediacy reminiscent of the movie 'Raise the Red Lantern', evoking a deep sense of 'How deep is the courtyard?'

| This is probably the ultimate aesthetic in our ancestors' bones that never dies. Lu's House is located in the urban area of Dongyang City, Zhejiang Province, and was listed as the third batch of cultural protection units in 1988. The building complex was built in the Southern Song Dynasty, and the Lu family gradually expanded during its prosperity, forming a large-scale mansion. However, due to wars, floods and other impacts, some buildings and archways no longer exist. - But the Lu's House Suyong Hall is currently well preserved. It was built in the Ming Dynasty and has a grand courtyard with five openings and nine depths, reaching 320 meters deep. Because the overall construction time spans the Ming and Qing Dynasties, you can see the differences between the two generations in architectural details. By the Qing Dynasty, all kinds of details were more complicated and exquisite. Lu's House Suyong Hall combines Dongyang wood carving, stone carving, palace lanterns and other traditional crafts, and was listed as the third batch of cultural protection units in 1988. It is currently open to the public as a scenic spot. Dongyang is the hometown of wood carving and architecture. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, more than 400 Dongyang wood carving craftsmen went to the Forbidden City in Beijing to build dragon chairs, palace lanterns, and decorations for the emperor at that time. By the Republic of China, there were 80,000 Dongyang people doing construction abroad, and you can catch a glimpse of these craftsmen's skills in Lu's House. - P1: The hall lamp in the Shude Hall was destroyed, and only the sheepskin lamp, the wire lamp frame and the six iron arms are left. The exhibits are restored. P2-7: Various bull leg decorations, made by Dongyang carpenters. P8: Civilian decoration P9: Plaque P10: The Baogai Suoluo Lian Sanju Qicai Sui Sheep Horn Lamp, which has a history of more than a hundred years, has won the Guinness Record. P11: A relatively small bead lamp P12-15: White walls and green tiles horse head wall, this style is common in the central Zhejiang to Huangshan area. P16: "Fang Bo", a word very familiar to Hangzhou people, was a respectful title for the governor in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. P17: The west gate reached by navigation. 📌TIPs： 1. Business hours: 8:30-16:30 2. Self-driving navigation: Dongyang Lu's House Scenic Area, with parking spaces. It is 30 minutes from Hengdian, 40 minutes from Yiwu, and 2 hours from Hangzhou. 3. Public transportation: Yiwu High-speed Railway Station, transfer to light rail to Dongyang Renmin Road Station; Hengdian Scenic Area, take the light rail from Ming and Qing Palace Station. 4. Five openings and nine depths, a large number of rooms, it is recommended to follow the "tour route" sign for the tour. 5. Play time: 1-1.5 hours. 6. There is a non-heritage block around Suyong Hall, with some teahouses, cafes and other businesses, but there are a few dangerous houses in the old houses of the original residents next to it. (You won't encounter it if you follow the sign, and measures have been taken + warning signs) 🔍Overall, it is recommended to come here to see the architecture and wood carving, but friends who are far away do not need to make a special trip, it is recommended to plan with Hengdian Scenic Area, Yiwu, other wood carving halls (Li's House, Ma Shangqiao, Shi Jiazhuang Notes will be updated later)

The Lu Residence is truly worthy of its reputation as "there is the Forbidden City in the north and the Lu Residence in the south". After visiting the Lu Residence, Zheng Xinmiao, director of the Palace Museum, said: The Lu Residence is the folk Forbidden City in the south of the Yangtze River. There are green tiles, white walls, cobblestone floors and exquisite wood carvings. When I first walked into this Jiangnan Forbidden City, I was deeply shocked. The most precious treasure of the Lu residence is a sheep-horn lamp that is more than 4 meters high and is the largest hall lamp in the world. What is on display now is a replica, and the real sheep horn lantern is displayed every four years during leap years or major events. This year happens to be a leap year, so friends around here should remember to visit during the Spring Festival~ Luzhai, Dongyang City, Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province. Friends from other places can take the high-speed rail to Dongyang North Station, or Yiwu Station, or fly to Yiwu Airport. Strolling through this Ming and Qing dynasty house, admiring the Dongyang wood carvings, being surrounded by the natural scent of wood, and evoking old memories. The whole person becomes gentle and peaceful, which is probably the unique charm of wood fragrance. If you can't experience it in person, Fu Sheng Liu Ji's tea bowl scented candle can give you the same experience. The Chinese-style covered bowl shape makes the process of lighting the aromatherapy more comfortable, just like drinking tea. The black "Ebony Buddha Temple" has a black tea wood tone. After being lit, it becomes the cool temple incense of a monk. It is as if before slowly climbing the steps, a Buddhist temple appears in the mist, and the faint frankincense neutralizes the hardness of the wood, adding a touch of intriguing tenderness. The red "Akagi Tan" has a sandalwood and Ganoderma lucidum flavor. A dream in the East, sandalwood has spirit. A blend of the scent of Ganoderma lucidum and sandalwood, you are gently embraced by the trees with every breath, and empty yourself in the oriental Zen. Tips: The beaded lamps in Lu's residence are surrounded by railings, which I photoshopped out in post-production. ②Lu's residence is made up of wooden buildings, so open flames are not allowed. My photos of lighting incense were all taken outside, or the flames were photoshopped in. ③The beautiful archway in the first photo is outside Lu's residence, and you can take a photo of it without entering the scenic area. "I am a nine-tailed duck, traveling in Hanfu" Fusheng Liuji Chimu Qitan Fusheng Liuji Aromatherapy Chinese Aromatherapy Niche Tourist Spot Dongyang Luzhai

From January 28 to March 28, 2024, the second 'Dongyang is originally a beautiful landscape - National Contemporary Landscape Painting Masters Invitation Exhibition' was held in Dongyang City Art Museum. 'Dongyang is originally a beautiful landscape, not to mention once hidden Hou', from the Tang Dynasty 'poetry giant' Liu Yuxi's 'Answer Dongyang Yu Ling Han Bi Ting Tu Shi'. This exhibition brings together 100 national landscape painting masters, with Liu Yuxi's poem 'Han Bi Ting' as the theme, vividly presenting the beautiful scenery of Dongyang's 'singing mountains and painting water' through the wonderful brushwork. Dongyang Art Museum, also known as Lu Fusheng Art Museum, is an art museum named after Mr. Lu Fusheng, the president of Shanghai Calligraphy and Painting Publishing House and a painter from Dongyang. The museum is located in the national 4A scenic spot Lu's house, with a superior geographical location and a quiet environment. It has three exhibition halls of various specifications, with an exhibition area of about 2000 square meters. It is a modern art museum integrating exhibition, collection research, cultural exchange, and public teaching activities. 📍Detailed address: No. 8 Wood Carving Lane, Lu's House Intangible Cultural Heritage Block, Dongyang City, Zhejiang Province Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 Closed on Monday Ticket price: Free

Dongyang Ancient Town - "Folk Forbidden City" Lu's house Dongyang Lu's house, known as the "Folk Forbidden City", has a history of 600 years Apart from Hengdian, there is a place where you can check in for tourism There are several places in Lu's house where you can take pictures for free You can experience the traditional charm of intangible cultural heritage architecture No matter spring, summer, autumn or winter, it's easy to take good pictures here However, the whole architectural complex is open for free, but individual scenic spots like Lu's house are charged! Here comes the check-in strategy! 1 Address: No.18, Yihai North Road, Dongyang City, Jinhua City. Route: It's in the suburbs, so it's recommended to take a taxi or drive by yourself. Opening hours: The whole architectural complex is open 24 hours a day, and the opening hours of individual scenic spots like Lu's house are 08:00-17:00. ★Features: A 600-year-old Ming and Qing ancient architectural complex that has been preserved intact Tips: In addition to ancient buildings, there are restaurants, bars and various art galleries here (all very suitable for taking pictures and easy to produce good results). Besides, the night view is also very good

The ancient architectural complex of Lu's Residence is a southern gentry residence that integrates the arts of Dongyang wood carving, stone carving, brick carving, pile molding, and painting, with a history of more than 560 years. It was built from the seventh year of Jingtai in the Ming Dynasty (1456) to the seventh year of Tianshun (1462). The whole residence covers more than 550 acres, with thousands of houses, and more than 20 buildings from the Ming Dynasty to the Republic of China. It is truly the largest ancient architectural complex of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in the south of the Yangtze River, so it is also called by ancient architecture experts as an 'Oriental residence of international level'. There is also a saying among the people that 'there is the Forbidden City in the north, and Lu's Residence in the south'.

'There is the Forbidden City in the north, and Luzhai in the south.' The settlement of the Yaxi Lu family, descendants of Jiang Taigong, is a renowned group of Ming and Qing ancient buildings in the south of the Yangtze River. The wood carving craftsmanship here is exquisite and unparalleled, and every hall and courtyard is unique, offering high artistic value. It's definitely worth a visit more than Hengdian. Here, every place you see is history. Without excessive renovation and frequent cleaning, the old smell of the rooms makes you feel the real history of hundreds of years. Many movies and TV shows have been filmed in Luzhai, including Andy Lau's 'New Shaolin Temple', Zhao Wenzhuo's 'The Book and Sword: Gratitude and Revenge', and so on. Attractions to check in: 1. Ceiling with wood carving application - Dongyang wood carving. Various forms of Dongyang wood carving art are displayed, represented by the Nine Lions Playing Ball Three Beams. 2. Lanterns that started in the Ming Dynasty and flourished in the Qing Dynasty. More than 300 palace lanterns made of various materials such as wood carving, bamboo silk, glazed glass, and colored beads are all precious relics of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. 3. Ancient architectural complex. Centered on the Lu Family Ancestral Hall, the three halls of Fujing, Suyong, and Shude stand side by side. The main axis of the Suyong Hall Luzhai architectural complex has thousands of houses. Ceiling caisson, door and window lattices, partitions, exquisite stone and brick carvings, unique horse head wall architecture, all show the profound cultural heritage of Dongyang as the 'hometown of a hundred works'. Some of the scenes of 'The Great Ming under the Microscope' were filmed in the Luzhai architectural complex. 4. Three stone archways. Located at the entrance of the scenic area, next to the old street, 'The Great Ming under the Microscope' also has scenes here. Navigate to Luzhai Scenic Area, Dongyang City, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province. It takes 2 hours from Hangzhou and 30 minutes from Hengdian. It is located in the city, without crossing mountains and ridges, with convenient transportation and convenient food, drink and accommodation. There is a large paid parking lot right next to the scenic area.