Fujian’s hidden gem explodes with charm! A 600-year-old covered bridge is tucked away in a remote ancient village in Zhouning’s deep mountains, free to shoot vintage-style photos

📍Attraction Address

Hexi Village, Chunchi Town, Zhouning County, Ningde City, Fujian Province

(Search "Hexi Village" directly on navigation; the last 5 kilometers are winding mountain roads, new drivers please be cautious)

🚗 Transportation to the Attraction

🚗 For self-drivers:

• Depart from Fuzhou → Fuyin Expressway → Ningshang Expressway → Zhouning Exit (2.5 hours direct)

• Free parking at the village entrance, about 20 spots (arrive before 9 AM on weekends recommended)

• ⚠️ Caution: No guardrails on mountain roads, honk in advance when meeting other vehicles

🚌 Bus Guide:

• Fuzhou North Bus Station → Zhouning Bus Station (65 RMB/person, 3 hours)

• Departure times: 7:30 / 9:00 / 12:30

• Take a taxi to Hexi Village after arrival (about 40 RMB, 20 minutes)

👍️ Top 5 Must-Visit Spots

1. Sanxian Bridge (600-year-old wooden arch covered bridge)

• Hardcore experience:

• Built in the 3rd year of Chenghua in the Ming Dynasty, one of the oldest wooden arch bridges in China

• No nails or rivets in the bridge body, supported entirely by mortise and tenon joints

• Inside the bridge are statues of the Three Immortals, with continuous incense offerings

• Hidden activities:

• Shoot morning mist through the bridge arch at 6 AM (brings a fairy-like filter effect)

• Grandma at the bridgehead sells freshly brewed herbal tea (2 RMB/cup)

2. Former Site of the Republic of China Elementary School (a classroom through time)

• Vintage hit:

• Rammed earth school building built in 1928, blackboard is old-fashioned wood

• Classroom window frames retain Republic of China patterns, perfect for photos like the TV series "The Age of Awakening"

• There is an ancient well by the playground with clear drinkable water

• Interactive fun:

• Borrow a set of Republic of China student uniforms (10 RMB/hour)

• Write "Been here" on the old desk (with chalk!)

3. Rammed Earth Cannon Tower Ruins (anti-bandit black technology)

• Adventure guide:

• Qing Dynasty rammed earth defense structure, walls up to 1.2 meters thick

• Super scientific lookout holes design, 360° no blind spots

• Rusty cannon mounts still preserved inside

• Photo tips:

• Wear dark clothes and shoot silhouettes from the cannon holes outward

• Evening light and shadow on the earth walls reveal ultra-clear textures

4. Hexi Ancient Street (a living fossil with zero commercialization)

• Street sweeping guide:

• 300 meters of bluestone pavement, flanked by Ming and Qing dynasty rammed earth houses

• Occasionally see elders weaving bamboo baskets at the door (free to try)

• At the end of the street is a century-old tofu shop, making and selling fresh

• Must-try trio:

• Zhouning konjac (5 RMB/bowl, sour and spicy appetite booster)

• Earth stove crispy rice crust (3 RMB/piece, fragrant and crispy)

• Herbal tea (free refills, great for cooling down)

5. Qiuxi Waterfall (free wild scenery at the village entrance)

• Water play guide:

• Waterfall about 15 meters high, huge water volume in summer

• Creek water is crystal clear, you can catch small fish and shrimp

• Large green stone on the shore, perfect for lying down and daydreaming

• ⚠️ Caution: Don’t wear slippers! The creek bottom stones are very slippery

🎟️ Ticket Information

• Entire area free:

• Hexi Village has no entrance fee, parking is free

• Small attractions like the Republic of China Elementary School and Cannon Tower are open

• Paid items:

• Republic of China student uniform rental: 10 RMB/hour

• Bamboo basket weaving experience: 20 RMB/session (includes finished product)

💗 Other Tips

🏨 Accommodation Guide:

• Village homestays (recommended "Hexi Ju"):

• 120-180 RMB/night, rooms converted from rammed earth old houses

• Includes breakfast (Zhouning rice noodles + native chicken eggs)

• Zhouning County Town:

• More cost-effective, 20 minutes drive to the village

• Recommended "Zhouning Hotel," 150 RMB/night including parking

📸 Photography Gear:

• Sanxian Bridge: use a wide-angle lens for panorama

• Republic of China Elementary School: use vintage film filter

• Cannon Tower: wear workwear style for hardcore shots

🗺️ 1-Day Tour Itinerary Recommendation:

08:30 Depart Fuzhou → 11:00 Photo shoot at Sanxian Bridge + drink herbal tea

12:30 Eat konjac + crispy rice crust on Ancient Street → 14:00 Time travel experience at Republic of China Elementary School

15:30 Explore Cannon Tower → 17:00 Play in water at Qiuxi Waterfall

18:30 Return to Fuzhou

💡 Bonus Activities:

• Continue to Pingnan: Hexi Village → Baishuiyang, Pingnan (1-hour drive)

• Pingnan must-visit: Yuanyang Creek + Longtan Ancient Village

⚠️ Ultimate Pitfall Avoidance Guide:

1. Don’t buy "antiques" at the village entrance, all are Yiwu goods

2. Wear non-slip shoes! Bluestone pavement is very slippery when wet

3. Konjac spice level is adjustable, even mild is quite spicy

4. Don’t use flash when photographing the Cannon Tower to protect cultural relics

"When Gulangyu is packed with people, I’m under Zhouning’s 600-year-old covered bridge, sipping herbal tea and watching the creek flow through the bridge. No commercial tricks here, just 5 RMB/bowl konjac and 24℃ summer~" 🌉