Ancient Mountain Village | Millennium Yao Village | Xiaohé Ancient Trail Leading to the First Village in Guangxi | Millennium Fireworks and Yao-Han Ethnic Customs

Chashan Village Travel Guide: Millennium Fireworks and Yao-Han Ethnic Customs on the Xiaohé Ancient Trail Chashan Village, named for the "heavenly fallen strange stone splitting the mountain into two forks," is known as the "First Village Entering Guangxi on the Xiaohé Ancient Trail." With over 600 years of history, it is a place where Yao and Han cultures blend and coexist. More than 30 camellia oil tea shops scent the ancient street, and the Ming Dynasty wind-and-rain bridge witnesses the village’s rise and fall. It is a hidden cultural gem on the Guangxi-Hunan border. 1. Preparation: Time and Gear Guide Best Travel Time - Recommended periods: March to May (gentle spring breeze, fresh green fields), September to November (cool climate, harvest season with abundant delicacies), temperatures between 15-25°C, perfect for strolling ancient streets and experiencing folk customs. - Special periods: June to August to enjoy lotus pond scenery, though a bit hot, you can try fresh lotus snacks; December to February during the Yao New Year festival, you can watch long table banquets and Guangxi opera performances, immersing in a rich ethnic atmosphere. Must-Bring List - Clothing suggestions: Comfortable canvas shoes (suitable for uneven stone roads), light-colored clothes (better for taking traditional-style photos in the ancient village with blue tiles and yellow earth); - Practical gear: Mosquito repellent (many mosquitoes in the mountains), portable umbrella (southern weather is unpredictable), camera (to capture moments like morning mist on the ancient bridge and sunset at the theater stage); - Other items: Small backpack (convenient for carrying purchased camellia oil tea, baba snacks, etc.), some cash (some old shops may not accept mobile payments). 2. Core Activities: Ancient Trail Relics and Cultural Experiences Must-Visit Historical Landmarks - Xinglong Wind-and-Rain Bridge: A landmark building from the Ming Dynasty, its wooden eaves have withstood many dynasties’ weather and remain intact. During festivals, it is the liveliest spot in the village where you can sit in the bridge corridor and listen to villagers tell stories about the ancient trail. - Chashan Ancient Street: The bluestone pavement is polished shiny, flanked by ancient residences, distilleries, and youth hostels. Walking here feels like traveling back to the bustling trade route of caravan times. Touching the worn stone slabs, you can sense the thousand-year imprint of merchants and travelers. - Ancient Theater Stage and Century-Old Well: The theater stage has been restored to its former glory, with occasional Guangxi opera performances; the well’s water is clear and villagers still draw water here, making it an excellent spot to feel the village’s everyday life. Must-Experience Folk Customs and Activities - Camellia Oil Tea Making: Choose an old camellia oil tea shop and learn from a Yao grandmother how to make oil tea, experiencing the traditional process of "fry, pound, boil." Enjoy it hot with fried rice, peanuts, and scallions for a fragrant and refreshing taste. - Long Table Banquet and Folk Performances: During festivals, join the Yao long table banquet to taste specialties like cured meat and dried bean curd sticks; Han Guangxi opera and Yao singing and dancing are performed together, showcasing the cultural charm of Yao-Han integration. - Handmade Food: Try making Suozi Baba at the folk experience center. The white, yellow, and purple colors represent the village’s three surnames. The soft and sticky outer skin wraps fillings of wood ear mushrooms, tofu strips, and minced meat, offering a taste of ethnic unity. 3. Itinerary Planning: One-Day Highlights and Multi-Day Tours One-Day Highlights (Culture and Food Lovers) 1. Morning: Arrive at Chashan Village → Visit Xinglong Wind-and-Rain Bridge → Stroll along Ancient Street to the Ancient Theater Stage, check in at the century-old well; 2. Noon: Eat camellia oil tea with Suozi Baba on Ancient Street, try the "Three Bowls No Crossing the Hill" cold jelly to refresh; 3. Afternoon: Experience camellia oil tea making → Visit the folk experience center → Rest at the reading bar, take sunset silhouette photos of the ancient street before returning. Multi-Day Tour (Regional Deep Exploration) - Day 1: Arrive at Chashan Village → Stay in an ancient village guesthouse → Afternoon stroll ancient street and taste local food → Evening listen to villagers tell stories of Yao-Han coexistence; - Day 2: Morning visit Xiushui Zhuangyuan Village (about 10 minutes by car) to see ancient residences → Afternoon explore Fuxi Song Village to discover ancient stone inscriptions; - Day 3: Optional trip to Hunan Goulan Yao Village (short cross-province trip) to experience cultural differences of Yao people on the Guangxi-Hunan border, forming a complete experience of "Eat in Chashan, Tour in Xiushui, See in Fuxi." 4. Food and Accommodation: Authentic Flavors and Unique Experiences Must-Try Specialties - Classic staples and snacks: - Camellia Oil Tea: Chashan’s signature, with over 30 shops each offering unique flavors, savory and rich, paired with fried rice, peanuts, and scallions for a complex taste; - Suozi Baba: Named for its shuttle-like shape, the three-colored skins correspond to different fillings. Chewy and soft, it symbolizes Yao-Han friendship; - Specialty Cold Jelly: The "Three Bowls No Crossing the Hill" cold jelly is smooth and refreshing, served with brown sugar syrup to cool and stimulate appetite. - Food Recommendations: Old camellia oil tea shops along Ancient Street, choose those with a "Integrity Operation Commitment" sign. Meals cost about 15-30 RMB per person for a satisfying experience. - Souvenirs: Village collective cured meat and handmade dried bean curd sticks, produced in the village factory, vacuum-packed for easy carrying, authentic local flavors. Accommodation Recommendations - Ancient Village Guesthouses: Mostly renovated old residences preserving wooden structures, some windows overlook the ancient street or stream, costing 150-300 RMB per person, with breakfasts made by Hakka grandmothers; - Nearby Options: More accommodation choices in Chaodong Town or Fuchuan County, ranging from high to low-end. If planning multi-village tours, staying in the county town is more convenient, about 1 hour drive to Chashan. 5. Transportation and Tickets: Practical Tips and Pitfalls to Avoid Transportation - Self-driving: Best option, navigate directly to "Fuchuan Chashan Village." Free parking at the village entrance. About 3-4 hours from Xiamen or Hezhou, enjoy the rural scenery of northern Guangxi along the way; - Public Transport: From Hezhou Bus Station take the "Hezhou-Fuchuan" bus, then transfer to the "Fuchuan-Chaodong" rural bus directly to the village. The whole trip takes about 2 hours, with limited frequency (about one bus per hour); - Car Rental/Carpool: Round-trip car rental from Hezhou city costs about 300-400 RMB, suitable for groups, allowing flexible itinerary control. Ticket Information - The scenic area is free to enter, no main gate ticket. Some folk experience centers may charge 10-20 RMB material fees for hands-on activities; - Tips: No need to book in advance, just go directly. It’s recommended to arrive early on weekends to avoid afternoon peak crowds.