Linzhai Ancient Village

Linzhai Ancient Village, a legendary Hakka ancient village hidden in the countryside of Heyuan, is located in Heping County, Heyuan City, Guangdong Province. It is an ancient village that boasts the 'largest ancient building complex of four-cornered towers in the nation,' with more than 280 existing ancient buildings. It is a massive complex of ancient residential buildings, mainly constructed during the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China period, covering a total area of over 30,000 square meters. Among them, the core area contains 24 larger four-cornered towers, with a total construction area reaching 1.838 million square meters. These buildings feature a unique style, magnificent towers, and beautifully decorated beams and rafters, representing the typical Hakka style of four-cornered towers, and also integrating Teochew culture, Cantonese culture, and Western culture. Besides the four-cornered towers, in June, one can also enjoy the ten-mile lotus pond and the fragrance of blooming lotuses, and in July, the golden early rice presents a picturesque rural scenery. The four-cornered towers in Linzhai Ancient Village are like ancient castles, surrounded by other buildings, forming a series of fortresses on the land. The gray-white walls are stained with brown marks from the rain, the bottom is tinged with brownish-yellow from the mud, and through the staggered eaves soaked with historical dust. The history of Linzhai Ancient Village can be traced back to the Yuan Dynasty when the Chen family moved here from Fujian. Over time, they became wealthy from the fertile land and the advantages of the Lianjiang River's water transport, engaging in farming and commerce. In the late Qing Dynasty, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's forces under Shi Dakai camped here and launched a fierce attack on Yongzhen Tower.