Pingnan Persimmon Map! 5 Free Ancient Villages Recommended Even on Rainy Days
In the mountainous folds of Ningde, Fujian, I accidentally discovered a secret realm forgotten by time during the rain—Pingnan. Scattered here are several Ming and Qing dynasty ancient villages, with no entrance fees, no noise, only rammed earth walls, bluestone slabs, and a slow-paced life. If you want a place to quietly stay for a few days, watch the mountains, clouds, and read books, this personally tested 2-day 1-night guide might be just what you need.
🗺️ Itinerary and Transportation: How to Reach This Hidden Gem?
* How to get there:
* Major transport: Take the high-speed train to "Ningde Station," then it’s about 80 kilometers from the station to the villages in Pingnan.
* Local transport: Strongly recommend self-driving! The villages are beautiful but scattered, so driving yourself is the most flexible. If not driving, you can hire a car for about 300-400 RMB/day.
* My 2-day 1-night route:
* Day 1: Arrive in Pingnan → Check in at a homestay in Xiadi Village → Stroll around the ancient village, check in at the Pioneer Xiadi Paddy Field Bookstore → Have dinner at the bookstore’s café → Enjoy the mountain night.
* Day 2: After breakfast, set off → Visit Siping Village (Little Potala Palace) → Walk through Longtan Ancient Town → Explore Qiántóu Village → Return satisfied.
🏡 Core Accommodation Advice: You Must Stay in Xiadi Village!
There are many ancient villages in Pingnan, but the accommodation experience in Xiadi Village far surpasses others. It is the least commercialized, perfectly preserving the tranquility of an ancient village. The homestay I stayed at had windows opening to rice fields, distant mountains, and rammed earth old houses, with a free homemade-style breakfast included. Staying here means truly living inside the scenery.
📍 Five Major Ancient Villages, Each with Its Own Charm
All these villages are free to visit, choose according to your interests:
1. Xiadi Village · Books and Rice Fields
* One of the "Four Great Book Towns of Pingnan," with a simple layout. The biggest highlight is the "Pioneer Xiadi Paddy Field Bookstore," a building converted from a granary, standing in the middle of rice fields. Sitting inside reading, looking up to endless greenery instantly heals all anxiety.
2. Siping Village · A Three-Dimensional Painting on the Cliff
* Ancient houses are built layer upon layer on the mountain, resembling the Potala Palace from afar. The village is small and can be toured in half an hour, but it’s very photogenic, with light and shadow playing in the alleys, full of geometric beauty.
3. Longtan Ancient Town · A Living Ming and Qing Scroll
* Larger in scale, preserving over 30 Ming and Qing residences, with a creek running through the village. Here you can experience the making of red yeast rice wine (intangible cultural heritage), and many art studios have settled here. It’s livelier than Xiadi but still peaceful.
4. Qiántóu Village & Jìtóu Village · Plaques and Farming Memories
* If you are interested in history and culture, these are worth a visit. Qiántóu Village has exquisite ancient residences and plaques; Jìtóu Village features groups of "Wénkuí" and "Wǔkuí" plaques and a free farming museum (closed on Mondays), offering a direct understanding of local farming culture.
🍜 What to Eat in the Mountains? Authentic Flavor Recommendations
Mountain village food choices are limited, but the authentic flavors are unforgettable:
* In Xiadi Village: Recommended is Senke Xiadi Café, with generous portions of pizza and pasta that taste great. Sitting by the fireplace in the evening, eating while warming up, happiness is full. There is only one stir-fry restaurant in the village, which you can also try.
* Pingnan specialties: Be sure to try rice-smoked rabbit (with a unique rice aroma after smoking) and bamboo shoot pork trotter stew. For snacks, look for scallion meat pancakes and Jìtóu flat dumplings.
💡 Useful Tips from Personal Experience
1. About the season: Spring and autumn are best, with pleasant weather. When I went, the persimmons were still red and very beautiful.
2. About experiences: Red yeast rice wine making, Siping opera viewing, and other activities charge separately. In the off-season, fewer tourists may mean these are not open or the experience is average, so go with the flow.
3. Photo outfit tips: The village offers ethnic costume rentals (about 80 RMB/day including makeup), which are great for photos in the ancient villages. Wearing plain, simple, or modern Chinese-style clothes also fits well.
4. Extended trips: If you have more time, you can visit Shuangxi Ancient Town (free parking at the town government) and then go to Baishuijiang Scenic Area (5A level, famous for its flat water plaza), about 20 minutes by car.
Pingnan’s ancient villages are not for rushing through but for slowing down and living. Wake up to birdsong in the morning, daydream in the bookstore in the afternoon, watch the smoke curl in the evening. These stolen moments of leisure might just be the true meaning of travel.
Pingnan Travel