Free visit to the Ming and Qing ancestral halls! I found the lost New Year’s atmosphere
Free visit to the Ming and Qing ancestral halls! I found the lost New Year’s atmosphere in a small town in Jiangxi 🏮
Friends, if you are also looking for an ancient town that is not overly commercialized and full of authentic local life, then be sure to add Wanzai Ancient Town in Jiangxi to your list. I just came back from there and must highly recommend it — this treasure trove town, filled with Ming and Qing ancestral halls, intangible cultural heritage in active practice, and free admission, is worth a special slow weekend visit.
🏮 Quick overview of the ancient town: more than just “another old town”
Located in Yichun, Jiangxi, the core area of Wanzai Ancient Town is the “Tianxia Ancient Town” district. What makes it special is the gathering of 27 ancestral halls from the Ming, Qing, and Republic of China periods, belonging to different family clans, making it an open-air “ancestral hall museum.” It doesn’t have the usual repetitive shops but revitalizes old buildings into intangible cultural heritage exhibition halls, tea houses, and local living spaces. Once you step in, the deeply rooted life atmosphere hits you immediately.
🗺️ Half-day slow travel route (tested and highlights)
⏰ 15:00 Arrival and initial exploration
• Take the customized “Wanzai-Yichun” shuttle bus from the high-speed rail station (runs every half hour), get off at the “Tianxia Ancient Town” stop right there. Or take a taxi from Yichun, about 1 hour.
• Step into the ancient town, don’t rush to find specific attractions. Wander freely, feel the tranquility between the bluestone roads, horse-head walls, and old courtyard gates. The soft light at this time is perfect for photos.
⏰ 16:00 Dive into the ancestral halls and touch history
• Focus on visiting several open ancestral halls, such as the Guo Clan Ancestral Hall and the Yi Clan Grand Ancestral Hall. Pay attention to exquisite wood carvings, stone bases, and plaques, imagining the family stories these places have witnessed.
• Visit the Xiabu Weaving Experience Hall to see firsthand how the national intangible cultural heritage “Wanzai Xiabu” is made from ramie into fabric, and you can even try the ancient loom yourself.
⏰ 17:30 Taste Wanzai with your palate
• Dinner time! Find a local small restaurant and be sure to order Wanzai chopped meat (savory and perfect with rice) and handmade rice noodles (smooth and chewy). Don’t forget to try the Big Bowl Tea, paired with crispy fried sugar oil cake, a classic local afternoon tea.
⏰ 19:00 Encounter the nighttime climax of intangible cultural heritage
• Nighttime is when the ancient town is most charming! If you’re lucky (especially on holidays or weekends), you might catch the Wanzai Kaikou Nuo performance at the ancient opera stage or square. Watch performers dance wearing ancient and mysterious masks, full of ritual sense.
• Or listen to the majestic Desheng Drum, with drumbeats echoing through the old streets, truly impressive.
• As the lights come on and lanterns glow, the night scene of the ancient town offers a different charm, completely distinct from the simplicity of daytime.
Must-not-miss core experiences
1. Ancient architecture photography: The lines of the ancestral halls are extremely beautiful, especially during the blue hour at dusk, with lanterns and Hui-style gables creating perfect scenes.
2. Intangible cultural heritage immersion: Besides watching performances, chat more with artisans; the stories behind Xiabu weaving and Nuo opera are even more moving than the scenery.
3. Capturing local life: Sit in a tea house listening to local elders chatting and watch children running in the alleys — this is the living soul of the ancient town.
🍜 Authentic food guide
• Main meals recommended: Wanzai’s Six Big Bowls is a traditional banquet; you can find restaurants offering small portions to sample; chopped meat noodles are perfect for breakfast or late-night snacks.
• Snacks: Besides sugar oil cake, local street snacks like frozen rice candy and ginger slices are also must-tries.
• Food hunting tip: Follow the queues of locals at small shops, you won’t go wrong.
💡 Practical information and thoughtful tips
• Admission: Free! This is the best part.
• Best time to visit: Strongly recommend afternoon to evening, so you can see architectural details clearly and enjoy the night scene and intangible cultural heritage performances.
• Transportation:
◦ High-speed rail: Arrive at Yichun Station, then follow signs to the “Wanzai-Yichun customized shuttle bus” for direct access to the “Tianxia Ancient Town” stop.
◦ Self-driving: Navigate to “Wanzai Ancient Town,” parking is convenient.
• Accommodation: If you’re not in a hurry, stay a night inside the ancient town or in Wanzai County to deeply experience the quietness of an empty morning.
• Reminder: The ancient town is moderate in size, wear comfortable shoes to stroll slowly; please respect local customs and ask for permission before photographing inside residences.
Sitting in a tea house, drinking Big Bowl Tea, watching the Nuo masks gleam with ancient luster under the lights, at that moment I suddenly felt — true travel is not escaping to a foreign land, but stepping into another vibrant and colorful life. Wanzai Ancient Town is exactly such a place, unhurriedly waiting for you to discover its charm.
Wanzai Ancient Town: A Journey to the Past