Xuanzhou Ancient Town

Xuanzhou Ancient Town

Xuanzhou Ancient Town is situated on the banks of the Xiang River, surrounded by mountains and water, with stunning scenery. It is said that there was a sandbank about half a li downstream from the present-day town center, where daylilies flourished, thus giving the area the name “Xuanzhou River.” For centuries, Xuanzhou has been a thriving commercial center and a town with a history of a thousand years. It exudes an antique charm, and when the rapeseed flowers are in full bloom in spring, the scenery becomes even more breathtaking, earning it the reputation of “a place where angels dwell.”

Xuanzhou Ancient Town has a long history, and to this day, it preserves ancient tombs, battlefields, city walls, and historic architecture. Among them are the Hengshan ancient kiln sites dating back thousands of years; the Golden Lotus Buddhist Temple, the family temple of Ouyang Fang, prime minister of the Song Dynasty; the Three Saints Shrine built during Emperor Qianlong’s southern tours; the ancient battlefields of Wu Peifu and Zhao Hengti from the Northern Expedition in the early years of the Republic of China; as well as artillery towers and bunkers constructed during Chiang Kai-shek’s five encirclement campaigns against the Red Army in the first civil war. The best-preserved Liu Jinggong Ancestral Hall still retains the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Xuanzhou Ancient River Street is the best-preserved area of Ming and Qing dynasty architecture in Xuanzhou. One side of the street features around 20 large, deep-halled mansions, while the other side offers the vast and misty Xiang River. The river’s openness and grandeur complement the Jiangnan-style ancient buildings beautifully.

Over 15,000 mu of rapeseed flowers are planted within Xuanzhou Town. When the flowers are in bloom, pink peach blossoms, white plum blossoms, and yellow rapeseed flowers create a vibrant tapestry. In the distance are ancient residences, nearby crisscrossing paths with the sounds of chickens and dogs, and a gently flowing stream—all combining to form a utopian landscape of blooming mountain flowers that captivates and enchants visitors.

Special Tips

The best time to admire the rapeseed flowers is from April to June each year.

Address: Xuanzhou Town, Hengshan County, Hengyang City, Hunan Province

Opening Hours:

Open all day