Xiongcun - a Small Ancient Village That Few People Know About

Changing through the ages, many ancient Chinese towns and villages have either been reduced to ruins or rebuilt into a modern appearance. It's rare to see a thousand-year-old village, but Xiongcun is one of them. Surrounded by green hills and wide fields, Xiongcun is ancient, beautiful, and pure.

Xiong village

What Are the Differences from Other Ancient Chinese Towns and Villages?

Although a thousand years have passed, there are still many residents living in Xiongcun. You can see the locals’ original lifestyle and feel traces of history throughout the village. As well as that, Xiongcun has four highlights that you should know about.

1. It Has Retained Its Authenticity for Almost 1,000 Years

If you have visited an ancient Chinese town before, you may remember it as being bustling and shining with lights at night, crowded with visitors, and having commercialized streets. But this isn’t the original look of the ancient towns and means you haven't experienced the authentic architecture, peaceful lifestyle, and quiet streets. Different from other ancient towns and villages, you can experience the most natural, harmonious, and lively atmosphere in Xiongcun. At that time, Xiongcun was a busy commercial transfer station. Although it's not as busy as before, Xiongcun's charm hasn’t disappeared and is even stronger today.

The style of buildings in Xiongcun

2. Like a Poet, Xiongcun Tells You about Its Culture and Past

Without a new cover, flowery sentences, lots of peddlers, splendid folk costumes, red lanterns, or neat stone streets, Xiongcun is an old storybook that’s worth reading. Prosperity has become a thing of the past, and only old and quiet houses are left standing there, waiting for the descendants to recall their memories. Ruined city walls are covered with vines a river flows past the city gate, everything has been changed, and few visitors go there. In spring, it's beautiful to see the blooming Astragalus sinicus (Chinese milk vetch) and fields of rape flowers in contrast with the mountain forests. It's like looking at a traditional Chinese landscape painting.

3. Natural and Authentic, Xiongcun Has Kept Its Original Appearance

Xiongcun was built alongside the mountains. Black bricks, high mountains, green plants, wooden towers, clear streams, and mud huts are the soul of this village. Walking through Desheng Alley and Yudai Street, you can feel its silence and desolation. During the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368–1912), Jiangxi Province's economy was developed. Many Jiangxi merchants made their living all around China and built Longevity Palace, which connected them with the people in their hometowns. You can still feel the bustling atmosphere at Longevity Palace today.

4. The Streets' Colors Have Faded While the Fields Are Gorgeous

There are still residents living in the thousand-year-old village of Xiongcun, and the old water wheel is still standing on the river that flows around the village. The grass is luxuriant and the air is fresh. At the end of the street there is a gate, called the "purple gate", and stone steps, which have become shiny due to being polished over time. The commercial road, which had been used for more than 600 years, was abandoned after the opening of the railway. At that point, the village declined along with the ancient commercial road. Walk along the long street and through "Long Hair Gate" to see endless fields.

Rape blossoms in Xiongcun in Spring

Xiongcun's Future

Nowadays, ancient villages and towns all over China are filled with hanging red lanterns and bars are open everywhere. The loneliness of Xiongcun seems so different. We hope that Xiongcun can continue to keep its original looks and have a better future.

Travel Tips for Visiting Xiongcun

Opening hours: all day
Admission fee: free
Visiting duration: about 2–3 hours
Keywords: historic, countryside, cultural, local lifestyle, and ancient

Where Is Xiongcun?

Generally, people don't know where Xiongcun is, even many local residents. In fact, it's close to a famous attraction in Guilin — Daxu Ancient Town. It takes about 15 minutes to drive from Daxu Ancient Town to Xiongcun.

Location: 174 County Road, Lingchuan County, Guilin, Guangxi Province

In Xiongcun

How to Get There

Drive to Daxu Ancient Town and you will see the sign for Xiongcun. Turn left at the sign.
Take a bus at Sanlidian to Daxu Ancient Town, then go to Xiongcun by tricycle.