In-depth Tour of Youxi: Eating Through the Local Flavors in the Hometown of Zhu Xi and Exploring Ancient Villages

As someone who doesn’t like crowded trendy spots, this 3-day deep tour of Youxi really hit the mark for me! There’s no commercial hustle and bustle, only mountains, rivers, ancient villages, and endless authentic delicacies. No wonder it’s called the “Pearl of Central Fujian.”

On the first day, I headed straight to the Zhuzi Cultural Park, and it’s free to enter—so generous! The white walls and gray tiles of the Song Dynasty-style architecture are full of charm. The “Shenlang Camphor Tree” personally planted by Zhu Xi has grown into a towering giant; standing beneath it, you can almost hear the sound of studying from a thousand years ago. When I reached the Half-Mu Square Pond, I finally understood the meaning of “How can the channel be so clear?” The ripples on the water blown by the wind, combined with the distant bird calls, instantly calmed my mind. In the evening, I went to Xiyuan Xiaozhao on Zhuzi Ancient Street. The must-order dish is the pipe eel rice noodles; the red yeast soup base is so fresh it makes you stomp your feet, the eel is prepared without any muddy smell, and the rice noodles soak up the broth and are super chewy.

On the second day, I rushed to Guifeng Ancient Village. The 18.8 yuan ticket lets you explore all the Ming and Qing dynasty buildings—such great value! The bluestone paths wind through old houses with blue bricks and black tiles. Villagers dry chili peppers and corn at their doorsteps, red and yellow spread out on bamboo trays, like a natural color palette. By chance, I caught a Min opera performance; the old artists sang in front of the ancient residences with precise pronunciation and tone. Although I couldn’t understand the lyrics, the rustic charm made me reluctant to leave. You must try the village’s firewood tofu pudding; it’s rich in bean fragrance, sprinkled with sugar for a sweet and refreshing taste. After a tiring walk, a bowl of this is so healing.

On the last day, I went to Guxi Xinghe and stayed at the Lanyue Mountain House Hotel, which has an amazing view. Opening the window reveals green mountains and clear waters. The starry sky here is truly breathtaking—no light pollution, and at night you can see the Milky Way stretching across the sky. No filters needed for photos. In the afternoon, I strolled around the village and met an old grandma making fern rice cakes. She taught us how to pound the fern powder by hand, then we shaped the hot dough into balls and dipped them in brown sugar. Soft, glutinous, and fragrant—this is the most authentic taste of the mountains and fields.

Before leaving, I bought souvenirs at Xiyuan Xiaozhao. Taixi rice noodles and Banmian red wine are vacuum-packed, perfect for gifts or personal use. The beauty of Youxi isn’t in grand spectacles but in its slow-paced, everyday life—walking through ancient village streets, eating century-old snacks, and feeling the influence of Zhu Xi’s culture. This relaxed vibe really makes you not want to leave.

If you come, I recommend avoiding holidays and staying for two or three days to fully experience the slow life of this thousand-year-old county. By the way, it’s very convenient to take a taxi from the high-speed rail station to various attractions, and homestay owners will recommend off-the-beaten-path routes, so you don’t have to worry about any travel mishaps~

Post by ValeriusNocturne123* | Nov 5, 2025