This poetic ancient village in Zhejiang is perfect and unlocks the splendid autumn scenery

Where should you go for a trip in autumn?

Uncle Shuai recommends everyone visit this perfect poetic ancient village in Zhejiang, where the "ancient roads, red maples, and architecture" are all complete, unlocking the magnificent autumn views. If you like it, come and check it out!

The village to talk about is Qixiakeng Village in Zhejiang, nestled in the mountains, clean and tidy!

According to historical records, Qixiakeng Village, also known as Fengxi Village or Taohuakeng, is an ancient village where phoenixes once rested. At the end of the Tang Dynasty, the Wang family moved into Fenghua Dayan; during the Song Dynasty, one branch moved to Dinghai in Zhoushan and then returned to Qixiakeng Village, settling and flourishing there. The poet Lu Guimeng’s "Nine Poems of Siming Mountain" includes the line "There is a stream in Yunnan, with red pebbles and no mud," referring to "Yunnan," which is Taohuakeng, renamed Qixiakeng only at the end of the Qing Dynasty.

Today, Qixiakeng Village has become a poetic ancient village. Strolling along the bluestone alleys and touching the mottled horse-head walls, one can’t help but feel the distant ancient charm. Order a cup of coffee at the village entrance café, pair it with a piece of rice cake, and watch the covered bridge and flowing water outside the window—truly a perfect ancient village experience! Moreover, the village is a settlement of descendants of Wang Xizhi, a famous calligrapher, and is part of the renowned Tang Poetry Road. Highlights include "Chang’an Bridge," "Qixiakeng Ancient Road," "Shigu Hall," "Xianying Temple," "Chang’an Covered Bridge," "Wang Family Ancestral Hall," and "Yongji Bridge." In January 2022, it was listed among the 3A-level scenic village spots in Zhejiang Province for 2019.

For first-time visitors to Qixiakeng Village, Uncle Shuai recommends the following sightseeing route:

Qixiakeng Ancient Road - Ground Parking Lot — Chang’an Bridge — Shigu Hall [Qiacheng Ancestral Hall] — Guan Sheng Temple — Xianying Temple — Chang’an Covered Bridge — Wang Family Ancestral Hall [Jingcheng Hall] — Yongji Bridge — Return — Qixiakeng Ancient Road [optional]

Among these, Chang’an Bridge is an ancient bridge built during the Qianlong period, over 270 years old.

Shigu Hall, built in 1896, is half collapsed, but the side rooms and the main hall behind are basically intact. Inside the hall, you can see the "Shigu Hall Stele," inscribed by Sun Qiang, a Guangxu-era scholar from Fenghua.

Guan Sheng Temple is a lesser-known ancient building dedicated to Guan Yu.

Xianying Temple has a stage and main hall, with a large plaque inscribed "Reward Good and Punish Evil" hanging high. This temple, built in the early Qing Dynasty, covers about 466 square meters and serves as the ancestral temple for the Wang, Zhou, He, and Sun families in the village.

Chang’an Covered Bridge is a single-arch bridge spanning Junxi Creek, built in the early Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty, about 200 years old. The bridge is 18 meters long and 5 meters high, decorated with cobblestones on the surface, and has a long corridor on top for shelter from wind and sun.

Wang Family Ancestral Hall, rebuilt in 1948, is the Wang family ancestral hall in Qixiakeng Village, made mainly of blue bricks, bluestone, and cypress wood, with a simple and elegant design. The column heads are carved with dragons and painted phoenixes, and the moon beam is engraved with a double dragon playing with a pearl. It also shows that this place is a settlement of descendants of Wang Xizhi, the famous calligrapher of the Eastern Jin Dynasty.

Yongji Bridge, built in the early Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, is also a single-arch stone ancient bridge.

Qixiakeng Ancient Road is a popular hiking route starting from Qixiakeng Village and ending at Tangtian Village, about 15 kilometers long, with a hiking time of about 5-7 hours. The ancient road features beautiful scenery along the way, including streams, bamboo forests, ancient bridges, and pavilions.

After the whole tour, Uncle Shuai feels that Qixiakeng Village is peaceful, beautiful, and very healing!

In autumn, you can see maple leaves, bamboo forests, ancient bridges, and villages here, hear the sounds of wind, birds, and flowing water, and feel the village’s lively atmosphere. The main appeal is tranquility and relaxation!

Also, while exploring the ancient village, there are photo-worthy scenes everywhere—ancient bridges, ancient roads, streams, maple leaves—all elements are complete. Every frame is as beautiful as a painting, with a sense of cultural and natural seclusion. It’s not only perfect for photography but also ideal for "quietly refreshing your eyes," immersing yourself in nature!

If you stay longer, Uncle Shuai also suggests spending a night here. Although it’s not overly commercialized, it offers pure farmhouse cuisine, cafés, and local specialties—perfect for escaping the city’s hustle and bustle, washing away work fatigue, feeling the breath of nature, breathing fresh air, and unlocking the splendid autumn scenery!

Additionally, if you choose to conquer the ancient road, you can bring anti-slip hiking shoes (trail shoes), trekking poles (single or double), trail snacks, electrolyte drinks, mineral water, fruits (those high in sugar and water content), power banks, and other items for a better full hiking experience!

Transportation:

By car: Navigate to "Qixiakeng Ancient Road - Ground Parking Lot," parking fee in the village is 20 yuan.

By bus: Take the train to "Xikou Station" or "Fenghua Station," then a taxi for about 1 hour or a bus for about 2 hours.

Practical information about Qixiakeng Village, Zhejiang:

Free admission, open all day, located in Qixiakeng Village, Xikou Town, Fenghua District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province. Self-driving is recommended.

So, how about it? Are you interested in Qixiakeng Village in Zhejiang? Feel free to leave comments and discuss!