Zhuji Ancient Alley: A Thousand-Year-Old Journey to Trace the Roots of the Cantonese Culture

Step by step, a shrine; stone by stone, a hometown In Nanxiong City, Shaoguan, Guangdong, lies a hidden gem known as "Guangdong's First Alley"—Zhuji Ancient Alley. Here, there are no bustling merchants, but cobblestone paths filled with migration stories; no dazzling neon lights, but the deep roots of millions of Cantonese people. --- An ancient alley, half the migration history of Lingnan Zhuji Ancient Alley is just over 1,500 meters long and about 4 meters wide, with a cobblestone surface winding like a time tunnel. According to records, the alley was originally named "Jingzong Alley." During the Tang Dynasty, to avoid the emperor's temple taboo, it was renamed "Zhuji," becoming a "cultural relay station" for clans migrating south from the Central Plains. · Three major migration waves: From the Northern Song to the Yuan Dynasty, during three large-scale southward migrations caused by wars, Zhuji Alley served as a temporary residence for over 150 surnames. Their descendants spread across the Pearl River Delta, Hong Kong, Macau, and overseas, numbering in the tens of millions. · An abundance of ancestral halls: The alley is filled with clan ancestral halls, from the "seven generations under one roof" Zhang family to the "royal style" Li family. Each hall is a family epic. Visitors often search for surname plaques here, touching the resonance of their bloodline. --- Must-visit spots: Imprints from the depths of time 1. Yuan Dynasty Stone Pagoda At the northwest corner of the alley stands an octagonal solid stone pagoda, the only Yuan Dynasty stone pagoda in Guangdong with a confirmed date (built in 1350). Though weathered, it stands firm, symbolizing the resilience of the migrants' roots. 2. Ancient Banyan Rest Pavilion Under the thousand-year-old banyan tree once stood a tea shed for migrants to rest. Today, the swaying shadows faintly recall the tears of those who left long ago. 3. Shashui Lake and Sima Bridge The lake reflects the ancient alley’s image, and the stone bridge connects the north and south gate towers. Walking here feels like brushing past merchants from the Tang and Song Dynasties. --- Immersive experience: Be a "root seeker" for a day · Trace your surname origins: Search for your ancestral source in the clan genealogies at the ancestral halls, stamp a surname seal, and take home a personalized souvenir. · Ancient trail hiking: Extend your walk from Zhuji Alley to the Meiguan Ancient Trail, retracing the thousand-year-old courier route carved by Zhang Jiuling, experiencing the time-space overlap of "one step crossing two provinces." · Folk festivals: If you visit during ancestral worship ceremonies or the Autumn Sun Festival, you can participate in bamboo weaving, persimmon cake making, and other activities to experience the warmth of Lingnan’s agricultural culture. --- Travel tips · Tickets: About 40 RMB at the gate (discounts available for online booking). · Transportation: Drive via Shaogan Expressway to the "Zhuji Ancient Alley" exit; or take the high-speed train to Shaoguan, transfer to a bus to Nanxiong city center, then switch to the scenic area shuttle. · Food: Farmhouse restaurants at the alley entrance offer specialties like Nanxiong cured duck and stuffed tofu, savoring Hakka flavors amid the lively atmosphere. --- Conclusion: Why is it worth a special trip? The charm of Zhuji Ancient Alley lies not in spectacular landscapes but in its profound cultural heritage. Every brick and stone here is engraved with the code of "a Chinese cultural relay station, the root of the Cantonese people worldwide." When you step onto this cobblestone path, you may suddenly realize: a hometown is not just a geographic coordinate but a memory flowing through your bloodline. If you long to find a spiritual homeland in this restless era, Zhuji Ancient Alley's thousand-year wait is ready to answer your quest.