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Anyi Ancient Village cluster is located in Anyi County, under Nanchang City, Jiangxi. It traces its origins back to the Tang dynasty (about 1,400+ years ago) and is comprised of three natural villages: Luotian, Shuinan, and Jingtai. The area is a representative site of Gan-style (赣派) architecture and embodies the culture of Gan merchants and rural life. It has been designated a national AAAA tourism scenic area, historic cultural village, and agricultural tourism demonstration.
Anyi Ancient Village is in Shibi Town (石鼻镇), Anyi County, on the south slope of the Western Hills of Nanchang, about 60 km west of Nanchang city. From Nanchang, you can drive, take a tourist bus, or hire a taxi to Shibi / Anyi, then local shuttle or walking into the village cluster. Once there, the villages are walkable on paths and alleys.
The official opening hours are generally 08:30 to 17:30 in summer, and 08:30 to 17:00 in standard season. The best times to visit are spring (March–April) for blooming fields, and autumn (September–October) for pleasant weather and landscape colors. Avoid peak summer heat or heavy rain.
As of the information found, Anyi Ancient Village requires an admission ticket. The exact price is not clearly fixed in sources I saw. Tickets can usually be bought onsite at the entrance. Some platforms (Trip.com) list “free” in user comments, but official listing still shows a ticket requirement.
Advance booking is not strictly mandatory based on available sources. However, for weekends or holiday periods it is safer to check ahead or book (a day or two before) via tourism platforms.
A stroll through all three villages, visiting old houses, alleys, relics and enjoying scenery typically takes 3 to 4 hours. If you include surrounding rural areas or photography stops, allow a half-day.
I did not find reliable information confirming that English audio guides or formal tours are offered. Local Chinese guides or volunteer guides may exist. If you need English interpretation, hiring a bilingual guide or using translation apps is advisable.
Photo highlights include: - Elevated vantage points overlooking a cluster of rooftops and lanes - The opera stage in Jingtai with carved beams and stage backdrop - Details of carved windows, lintels, doors, courtyards - Ancient wells, old trees, corridors with sunlight filtering - Surrounding fields (rapeseed, farmland) framing the villages in spring - Golden hour lighting on white walls and grey roofs
A suggested route: Start at the entrance → walk into Luotian village → proceed to Shuinan village → then visit Jingtai village (with its opera stage) → explore key old mansions, ancestral halls, wells → take side alleys and photo detours → optionally walk out to nearby fields or scenic rural paths → return via the main lane. The route is generally linear among the three villages.
No sources reliably mention night visits, illumination shows, or special night tours for Anyi Ancient Village. The village functions primarily as a daytime heritage / scenic site.
It is more crowded on weekends, public holidays, and during flower-viewing seasons (spring). The least crowded times are weekday mornings or off-peak months. Visiting soon after opening helps reduce crowd impact.
The ancient village area provides basic facilities: restrooms, small shops or kiosks selling snacks or drinks, pathways and benches, signage. Nearby on the approaches there are parking areas, visitor center amenities.
Many paths are stone alleys, steps, uneven surfaces. Elderly or mobility-limited visitors might find some areas challenging. However, portions of the main lane are relatively flat and manageable. Children can enjoy the walking and spots under supervision.
Mobile payments (WeChat Pay, Alipay) and bank cards are common in Jiangxi’s tourist areas, so they are likely accepted at ticket counters, shops, kiosks. But bringing some cash is prudent for small vendors or remote corners.
Inside or at the village entrance, local eateries or souvenir shops may offer simple rural / local cuisine (rice, local dishes). In the nearby towns (Shibi, Anyi County seat) more restaurant options exist. Some guesthouses or tea houses in the village cluster may provide refreshments.
Vegetarian dishes (tofu, vegetables, local rural dishes) are usually available in Chinese restaurants. Halal options are less certain in such rural heritage villages; if needed, check in the larger county or nearby towns for Muslim restaurants.
Accommodations are available in Anyi County or in nearby towns / villages. Some guesthouses or rural inns (民宿) may operate inside or close to the village cluster. Given the proximity to Nanchang, staying in Nanchang and day-tripping is also feasible.
You can combine with Meiling Mountain (梅岭) scenic region nearby, rural scenic zones in Anyi County, or other heritage villages in western Nanchang. The proximity to Nanchang means you could pair with city attractions (museums, gardens) too.
Yes — near the entrance and along the main lanes there are souvenir shops offering handicrafts, postcards, small carved pieces, locally made ceramics, folk art, local snacks / specialty food items.
After the visit, you can return by taxi or bus to Shibi / Anyi or onward to Nanchang. If you came from Nanchang, return by the same route. For further travel, connect via highways or regional bus lines or train from Nanchang.