Changting Ancient City: Older than Fenghuang, Quieter than Lijiang

✨ Changting Ancient City, known as the "Hakka Capital," is a thousand-year-old town once as famous as Fenghuang Ancient Town, yet it is quieter and more pristine 🤫. If you're tired of the city's hustle and bustle, come to this "Little Fenghuang" in Fujian to experience a slower pace of life!

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🏮 Highlights of the Trip
· Stroll along the ancient city walls and touch a thousand years of history: The Tingzhou Ancient City Wall, built in the fourth year of the Tang Dynasty's Dali era, runs along the Ting River, winding and twisting. Standing on Jichuan Gate, you can overlook the magnificent scenery of "hundreds of thousands of homes on both sides of the creek." This is also an excellent spot to view the panoramic ancient city and the night scenery along both banks of the river.
· Wander through ancient streets and alleys, encounter the charm of everyday life:
· Diantou Street: This traditional handicraft and trade street dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties still has many shops and is full of simple and natural life vibes. With blue-tiled wooden buildings and red lanterns hanging high, it feels like stepping into an ancient "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" painting.
· Wushi Alley: This narrow alley is paved with cobblestones, flanked by old houses full of unadorned traces of daily life.
· Explore ancient residences and appreciate architectural charm:
· Daifu Mansion: Known as "Fujian's No.1 Carved Building," its wood, stone, and brick carvings are exquisitely crafted, representing the highest level of Fujian carving art.
· Baxiguan: Here you can learn about the "Eight Great Joys" of Hakka life, and performers showcase folk activities unique to Tingzhou.
· Wolong Academy: An educational institution founded in the Song Dynasty, with a serene environment where Zhu Xi and others once lectured. The pavilions, towers, small bridges, and flowing water inside rival the beauty of classical Jiangnan gardens.
· Night cruise on the Ting River, encounter a dreamy night view: When night falls, the ancient city dons a charming appearance. Taking a boat cruise on the Ting River at night, the lights on both banks outline the ancient city’s silhouette, and the ancient bridges illuminated by lights look like golden dragons, dreamlike and magical.
· Taste authentic Hakka cuisine:
· White-cut River Frog: Praised for its fragrance, crispness, freshness, tenderness, smoothness, and easy-to-remove bones, it has been a famous specialty of Tingzhou since ancient times.
· Boiled Series: Boiled pig kidney, boiled pork, boiled beef, etc., fresh and appetizing with affordable prices. Recommended local old restaurant "Youjian Restaurant."
· Various snacks: Pan-fried potato cakes, lantern cakes, pickled pig kidney, and boji rice cakes are street snacks not to be missed.

📝 Travel Tips
· Suggested itinerary: It is recommended to spend 1-2 days to leisurely explore the main attractions of the ancient city. If time permits, you can also visit nearby Dingwuling (a pristine Hakka ancient village without mosquitoes) and Qu'aoli Wharf (with the feel of small bridges and flowing water).
· Dress guide: Most roads in the ancient city are stone slabs and cobblestones, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. You can also bring ethnic-style clothing for better photos.
· Transportation: You can take a high-speed train to Changting South Station, then take a taxi or bus to the ancient city. Transportation is convenient.