Xiangao Ancient Town
A Microcosm of Wuyuan's Thousand-Year-Old Architecture and Cultural History
Xiangao Ancient Town, located in Wuyuan—known as “The Most Beautiful Countryside in China”—is an old town that integrates Huizhou culture, picturesque landscapes, and modern tourism experiences. Xiangao was first established in the Tang Dynasty (740 AD), originally named Qinghua Town, it was later relocated to Xiangao Town(present-day Ziyang Town). With a history of more than 1,200 years, it is truly a millennium-old town and an important birthplace of Huizhou culture.
Covering an area of about 0.7 square kilometers, the ancient town preserves a large number of Huizhou-style architectural relics, with a total of 65 lanes and alleys. With more than a hundred Huizhou-style residential buildings, along with several ancient wells and many ancient trees, Xiangao is a living testimony to Wuyuan’s thousand-year historical evolution.
The Xiangao Ancient Town has been mainly developed into two major attractions: the Xiangao West Lake Cultural and Tourism Block (西湖凼) and the Tianshangtang Scenic Area. The Xiangao West Lake Cultural and Tourism Block opened in May 2025 and currently is free of charge to the public, while the Tianshangtang Scenic Area is expected to open in 2026.
Xiangao West Lake Cultural and Tourism Block
The Xiangao West Lake Cultural and Tourism Block, formerly known as “Wuyuan’s West Lake” built during the Southern Song Dynasty, is the central area of the attraction. Visitors can stroll along the lake path peacefully in the morning, or ride a traditional black-canopied boat leisurely drift through the lake, immersing themselves in the water-town charm of the ancient town. In the evening, the fish-lantern parades can be enjoyed, with glowing lights reflected on the water, creating an unreal and enchanting atmosphere.
Xiangao Ancient Town has preserved a wealth of Huizhou-style architecture, including sites such as the Cheng Family Courtyard, Biyue Gate, Xipei Lane, Wufu Residence, Plow Tip, and Jiexiao Memorial Archway. Together, they have recreated the prosperity and the vibrancy of Xiangao Town during the heyday of Huizhou merchants.
Most exciting of all is seeing in person the exquisite craftsmanship known as the “Three Carvings of Wuyuan.” The intricate wooden lattice windows, with their delicate patterns, seem to draw you into a world where birds are about to take flight; the stone carvings on the door convey a sense of history and strength; and the brick carvings above the doorways are so finely detailed that every single petal can be clearly seen.
Xiangao Ancient Town is home to many old streets and lanes, such as North Gate Street, Twenty-Ninth Lane, and Lilac Rain Alley. In the early morning, you can walk along these stone-paved paths and experience the tranquility of the ancient town.
Magical Scenes at Night
Shows & Activities
Unique Experience for Day and Night
The tour map and daily activity schedules are displayed at the main entrance, namely The North Gate Entrance. You can easily spend 2-3 hours here. Most visitors come for the night, but daytime visit has its own charm. If you have time, visit both day and night to have the full experience.
Traditional Nuo Dance
Fish Lantern Parade
Food & Drink
Xianru Street（先儒街) inside Xiangao Ancient Town, is a hub of local Wuyuan cuisine. It brings together more than twenty eateries and specialty snack shops, where you can sample both Huizhou and Jiangxi (Gan) flavors. Any dish that catches your eyes and tempts your taste buds is worth trying.
Shopping
The street-side shops in Xiangao are abundant and varied; each store feels like a small window, showcasing the unique charm of Huizhou culture and the traditional everyday life in Wuyuan.
Ancient Style Photography
Xiangao Ancient Town is an exceptional spot for taking traditional-style photos. The area is filled with a dazzling array of styling studios offering exquisite makeup and a wide selection of Hanfu and qipao costumes to choose from. For truly show-stopping photos, don’t miss these prime shooting spots: the viewing platform near the main entrance at North Gate Street, the lantern wall in Twenty-Ninth Lane, and the quiet path of Lilac Rain Alley.
The North Entrance(Biyue Gate, the main entrance)
The South Entrance(West Lake)
Entrance Ticket
- Entrance is free. There are two entrances to this attraction, one is North Gate Entrance (North Entrance) via North Gate Street, another is Xian Gao West Lake Pond Entrance (South Entrance) via the Zhuzi Pedestrian Street
- Free parking near the North Entrance
- Opening time: 9:00-23:00
- Best time to visit (18:00-22:00): Mornings are nice and quiet, you can enjoy the setting leisurely. After 3pm, the place becomes lively and busy, as time goes, it gets really crowded. After dark, the whole place becomes magical!
By Public Bus
There are currently two entrances to this attraction. If arriving by train, you can take Bus#1 or #4 from Wuyuan Train Station to Zhuzi Pedestrian Street bus stop, then walk about 5 minutes to reach Xian Gao West Lake Pond Entrance (South Entrance) via the Pedestrian Street.
By Taxi/DD Service
Xiangao Ancient Town is about 3.7km from Wuyuan Train Station and about a 10 minutes car ride, you can take taxi or DD service directly from there. You can also request a pick-up from your accommodation provider, it’s usually free.
Self-Driving
Self-driving visitors can set their navigation to “Xiangao Ancient Town North Gate Visitor Center – Parking Lot.” After parking, cross the road and follow the on-site directional signs, then enter through the riverside walkway to Biyue Gate-North Gate (the main entrance to the attraction via North Gate Street). After finishing the visit, return to the parking lot the same way.
Hotel Near Xiangao Ancient Town
Xingjiangwan Collection Hotel, Wuyuan: This hotel has 210 rooms, it is located on the beautiful bank of Xingjiang River. Adjacent to Wuying Square and Zhuzi Pedestrian Street, it is within a 10 minutes walk to Xiangao Ancient Town.
Hotel Near Wuyuan Train Station
Newly opened in 2025 and located very close to the high-speed Wuyuan Train Station, Four Points by Sheraton Wuyuan is only about a 10 minutes car ride from Xiangao Ancient Town, making it incredibly convenient for travelers arriving by train. The hotel is also very convenient to visit Wuyuan’s other attractions, there are bus services to various attractions at the hotel’s adjacent bus station.
