Hangzhou's 800-Year-Old Village: The Perfect Spring Outing for 2025!

Spring, a word that evokes joy. As the temperature rises, people venture into nature to enjoy the blossoms and greenery. Some admire the flowers, some the lakes, some climb mountains, some explore ancient sites, some visit museums, and some prefer ancient villages. Regardless of your choice, you can appreciate the spectacle of "a hundred flowers blooming"! Hangzhou, in particular, is a popular destination for flower viewing, according to big data, along with Beijing, Wuxi, Nanjing, Lijiang, and Nyingchi! So, the question arises: where should you go in Hangzhou for an interesting experience? Uncle Cricket recommends a visit to an 800-year-old ancient village, known as an "open-air museum of ancient architecture." It's the perfect spring outing for 2025! This village is Xinye Ancient Village, also known as Xinye Village. It's renowned as an "open-air museum of Chinese Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture" by experts worldwide due to its well-preserved 16 ancient ancestral halls, halls, pagodas, temples, and over 200 ancient residential buildings. Historically, Xinye Village was established in the 12th year of the Jiading reign of the Southern Song Dynasty (1219). The village took its name from Mount Yuhua, its main mountain, and the Ye clan of Yuhua. Since the first generation of the Ye clan settled here, through the Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing, and Republican periods, they have maintained their bloodline, gradually forming a large clan. In more recent times, in 2012, Xinye Ancient Village was included in the second batch of Zhejiang Province's Intangible Cultural Heritage Tourism Scenic Spots (Folk Culture Tourism Villages) list, published by the Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism. It features attractions such as Zhongde Hall, Stone Pond, the Ye Zhenxiu Martyr Memorial, Xinye Garden, and Wenchang Pavilion. For first-time visitors, the following route is recommended: Xinye Ancient Village - Tourist Center > Xinye Ancient Village - South Gate > Xinye Garden > Xinye Hello Green Corridor > Wenchang Pavilion > Reflection Pond > Ye Zhenxiu Martyr Memorial > Jinshi Residence > Sifang Pond > South Pond > Zhongde Hall > Xicao Pond > Half Moon Pond > Stone Pond > West Mountain Ancestral Hall > Xinye Ancient Village Children's Paradise > Xinye Ancient Village - Tourist Center. This loop allows you to experience the complete and simple ancient alleys, ancestral halls, and pagodas within the village. As you walk, you'll feel a sense of ease. Due to the entrance fee, the village is less crowded and offers beautiful scenery, authentic local life, and a rare tranquility. Strolling around, you'll discover traces of time etched into the village. The intricate carvings seem to tell stories of the past. You can imagine the people of ancient times living and working on this land, leaving behind these precious memories. As spring progresses, by late March, the "sea of rapeseed flowers" in Xinye Ancient Village will be in full bloom. Walking through the ancient alleys in Hanfu is like exploring corners gently touched by time. Photography enthusiasts can focus on small details like the depths of alleys, the fronts of ancient houses, the sea of rapeseed flowers, and the homes filled with the aroma of cooking. Each photo is a tribute to history and a record of beauty! Transportation: By car: Approximately a 2 hr 30 min drive from Hangzhou via Changshen Expressway and Baizhang Line. By bus: Take the train to Jiande Station, then transfer to Jiande Bus Route 325 and get off at Xinye Scenic Area Intersection Station. Xinye Ancient Village Practical Information: Tickets: 60 yuan. Free with Hangzhou Cultural Tourism Card (tickets must be redeemed at the Tourist Center). Opening hours: 8:00–16:00. Location: Xinye Ancient Village, Jiande City, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, on Tanxin Line. Choose the most convenient transportation method for you. So, are you interested in Xinye Ancient Village in Hangzhou? Feel free to leave a comment below!