Ancient Villages of Anyi

Ancient Villages of Anyi

The Ancient Villages of Anyi is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

The Ancient Villages of Anyi consist of three natural villages—Luotian, Shuinan, and Jingtai—arranged in a triangular formation. All three villages have a history of over a thousand years, boast profound cultural heritage, and preserve well-maintained Ming and Qing architectural complexes. With their “four superlatives”—“most mysterious,” “most pastoral,” “most classic ancient county charm,” and “most rural scenery”—they are part of Jiangxi’s “15” eco-tourism series.

Anyi Ancient Village

Jintai Village

Jingtai Village was built in the first year of the Wude era of the Tang Dynasty (618 AD) by brothers Liu Zongxu and Liu Zongsou from Xuzhou. Their father, Liu Guangde, had been the governor of Yuzhang (now Nanchang) during the Chen Dynasty of the Southern and Northern Dynasties. Due to their father’s death and the chaos of war, they relocated here. In the early Ming Dynasty, people surnamed Li from Wuning were relocated here by imperial decree, forming a village inhabited by both the Liu and Li families. With a long history and numerous historical relics, the village has become a popular site for film and television shoots.

Shuinan Village

Shuinan Village was established over 630 years ago in the seventh year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1374 AD) when Huang Yineng, the 15th-generation descendant of Kechang, moved out from Luotian Village to build a new settlement. The village preserves over 20 well-maintained Ming and Qing buildings and is known for its exquisitely carved houses and abundance of preserved folk items.

Luotian Ancient Village

Luotian Village is a large settlement with a population of 2,000. It has a history of over 1,120 years, having been established in the first year of the Guangming era of the Tang Dynasty (880 AD). Its founding ancestor, Huang Kechang, was from Luotian County, Qizhou, Hubei. To escape war, he came to this area, built stone houses, reclaimed farmland, married, raised a family, and established the village. Over time, his descendants multiplied, and some migrated elsewhere, developing into various Huang-family villages, making the Huangs of Luotian an important branch of Jiangxi’s Huang clans.

The Ancient Villages of Anyi are located at the southern foot of Xishan Mountain in Nanchang City, within the territory of Shibi Town, Anyi County. They are 60 kilometers from Nanchang, 35 kilometers from Changbei Airport, and 110 kilometers from Mount Lu. The site comprises three major natural villages—Luotian, Shuinan, and Jingtai. Currently, the Ancient Villages of Anyi have been designated as a national AAA-level tourist attraction, a Famous Historical and Cultural Village of China, a National Agricultural Tourism Demonstration Site, a 4A-level Rural Tourism Destination in Jiangxi, one of Nanchang’s “New Ten Scenic Spots of Yuzhang,” one of Jiangxi’s “Top Ten Rural Sceneries,” and a Nanchang City Landmark, among many other honors. The ancient villages originated in the Tang Dynasty and are known as the “Millennial Ancient Villages.” They still host numerous historical relics and cultural artifacts, such as weathered stone archways, ancient temples, and ancient wells from the Tang Dynasty; ancient camphor trees planted in the Tang Dynasty that still flourish today; drainage systems carved during the Song and Yuan Dynasties that remain intact and functional; and residential homes, streets, and stages from the Ming and Qing Dynasties that remain bustling with visitors. There are also many ancient plaques, couplets, and traditional wood, stone, and brick carvings, as well as embroidery works that showcase a dazzling array of artistry. These invaluable historical remains carry the rich legacy of agricultural and Jiangxi merchant cultures, embodying the industrious wisdom of generations past.

During festivals, villagers perform dragon dances, lion dances, play high-pitched suona horns, beat complex percussion rhythms, sing tea-picking operas, perform traditional plays, make glutinous rice cakes, fry New Year cakes, brew rice wine, and prepare spring pancakes… All of this immerses visitors in the vibrant atmosphere of grassroots culture. The area’s abundant local specialties, farm-style meals, and traditional snacks ensure visitors leave not only culturally enriched but also delightfully fed.

As a flagship tourism brand of Anyi and Nanchang, the Ancient Villages of Anyi attract numerous visitors with their unique ancient charm, harmonious ecological environment, distinctive architectural artistry, and cultural richness.

Featured Attractions:

The three ancient natural villages of the Anyi Ancient Villages complex house 86 Ming and Qing-era residential buildings, covering an area of over 21,800 square meters. These ancient dwellings are grand in scale, well-preserved, exquisitely carved, and rich in cultural significance. Key attractions include: the Shidaifu Mansion, spanning eight mu with 48 courtyards; an over 110-year-old Tang Dynasty camphor tree with a circumference that requires six people to encircle; a 400-meter-long ancient street that recreates the bustling trade of old Luotian; the Shuinan Folk Museum, showcasing the folk culture of southern Jiangnan villages; the Boudoir Tower, once home to merchant families and noblewomen; the “Hundred Blessings” window carving featuring 100 uniquely shaped bats, hailed as a masterpiece of Chinese window carving art; ancestral halls of the Huang and Liu families that reflect values of loyalty, filial piety, chastity, and righteousness; the ancient stage adorned with dragon and phoenix motifs—a rarity in southern Jiangnan villages; and the Xilu (Ink Manor), radiating a refined scholarly ambiance. The millennia-old Ancient Villages of Anyi represent a perfect fusion of ancient Gan culture and Jiangxi merchant culture, offering urban visitors a prime opportunity to trace history, connect with nature, and experience rural life. The Ancient Villages of Anyi embody the “most mysterious charm,” “most classic ancient county style,” “most pastoral scenery,” and “most rural charm.”

Luotian Village

Luotian Village: One of the three ancient villages in the Anyi Ancient Villages complex, it has a history of 1,200 years. The entire village is surnamed Huang, believed to be descendants of the Flame Emperor (Zhu Rong). To escape war, they migrated from Qizhou, Hubei, during the late Tang Guangming era. A local saying goes: “Tiny Anyi County, but the mighty Huangs of Luotian.” This reflects the prominence of the Huang family of Luotian in the ancient villages. Luotian Village was a key stop along the pilgrimage route to the Xishan Wanshou Palace to worship the Deity Xu Xun, leading to a bustling period with numerous shops and merchants. The ancient street, bluestone pathways, and cart ruts of the Anyi Ancient Villages’ Luotian Village are still clearly visible. The ancient village retains a complete underground drainage system to this day. Its residential architecture, brick carvings, stone engravings, and wooden carvings are simple yet exquisite. Luotian Village is known as a “Longevity Village.” The thriving Tang Dynasty camphor tree and the sweet spring water of the “Shoukang” Square Well inspire deep reflections on history.

Shuinan Village

Shuinan Village: The ancient houses here are grand, meticulously constructed, and intricately carved, with stunningly lifelike details that are truly breathtaking. Visitors can explore the former residences where Zhang Xun, the “Pigtail Marshal,” once worked, wander through the osmanthus-scented Huang Family Ancestral Hall of the Anyi Ancient Villages, and almost hear the echoes of fading history. The “Shuinan Folk Museum” displays many rare exhibits. Seeing these rich artifacts, it’s easy to imagine the lives and work of the ancestors.

Jingtai Village

Jingtai Village: One of the three ancient villages in the Anyi Ancient Villages complex, it has a history of 1,400 years. The village is home to two major surnames: Liu and Li. The Liu family descends from the Han Dynasty scholar Liu Xiang and migrated here in the first year of the Wude era of the early Tang Dynasty (618 AD). During the early Ming Dynasty’s Hongwu era, the Li family ancestors settled here by imperial decree. The millennia-old Ancient Villages of Anyi are far from the hustle and bustle, and many ancient structures remain well-preserved, such as the ancient stone archway, ancient wells and stone troughs, the ancient stage, brick-and-stone gates, and the 48-courtyard ancient houses. Visitors to the Ancient Villages of Anyi will surely experience the essence of agrarian life and feel a natural longing for a pastoral existence.

Transportation

Independent Travel:

1. Take bus 136 within Nanchang City (ticket: 10 RMB). The starting point (under Bayi Bridge) to the terminal (Anyi County Bus Company), then transfer to the Luotian Ancient Village shuttle bus to the scenic area (ticket: 5 RMB).

Bus 136 operating hours: Winter schedule: Nanchang to Anyi: 6:00–19:30; Anyi to Nanchang: 6:00–18:30

Summer schedule: Nanchang to Anyi: 6:00–20:00; Anyi to Nanchang: 6:00–18:30

Route adjustment: Bayi Bridge – South Lushan Avenue – Shelijia – Changjiu Expressway (boarding possible at stops such as “Bayi Bridge,” “Changbei,” or “Urban Construction College”)

Hongcheng Bus Terminal has daily buses to Anyi, approximately one per hour. It’s best to get the bus to Shibi, which goes directly to the Ancient Villages of Anyi without needing to transfer. Avoid taking the bus to Anyi itself, as it requires an additional transfer.

Self-driving tour routes:

A (Approximately 60 km in total) Nanchang – Changjiu Expressway – Xin Qizhou (exit the expressway) – Wanbu Town – Changbu Town – Millennium Ancient Village Cluster

B (Approximately 44 km in total) Nanchang Meiling Toll Station – Changtong Expressway – Anyi Toll Station – Anyi Ancient Village Cluster

Admission Ticket

40 RMB

Opening Hours

8:30-18:00

Attraction Location

Western Suburbs of Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, Xishan Meiling

Shibi Town: Surrounded by green mountains and embraced by a winding stream, Shibi Town is located in the southeast of Anyi County, 60 kilometers from Nanchang City, 45 kilometers from Changbei Airport, 40 kilometers from Xin Qizhou Railway Station, and 115 kilometers from Jiujiang Port. It connects to National Highway 105 to the north and National Highway 320 to the south, with Provincial Road Wanchi passing through the area. Surrounded by the hills of Dongshan in the southeast and traversed by the Nanliao River in the northwest, the town covers a total area of 99.8 square kilometers, including 38,000 mu of arable land and a population of 42,000. It governs 16 administrative villages and 1 neighborhood committee, and borders seven towns across four counties (districts) including Xinjian, Fengxin, and Wanli, making it an... Shibi Town Detailed Information++