Tucked away in Shenzhen is the 'Little Lijiang,' Gankeng Ancient Town

Gankeng Ancient Town is a Hakka ancient village with a long history, one of the 'Top Ten Hakka Ancient Villages in Shenzhen'; it was once a Hakka settlement with numerous ancient buildings, houses connected by alleys, exuding an ancient charm. Here, you can find the Nanxiang Building, which has withstood over 120 years of vicissitudes; there are fort towers, watchtowers, stilted buildings, and other structures blending into the landscape, as well as Hakka row houses that have stood for a century. Strolling through, one might think they've arrived in Lijiang Ancient Town, no wonder this place is known as Shenzhen's 'Little Lijiang'. However, entering the main gate of the ancient town might be somewhat disappointing at first, as it is filled with modern buildings. Those unaware might think it's a case of 'mutton dressed as lamb,' but once you enter the streets of Qidu 116, you can feel the historical charm of the ancient town, with its white walls, black tiles, bluestone alleyways, red and yellow lanterns, and even graffiti at the corners, all of which can instantly give a sense of momentary tranquility. The architectural appearance of the Family Instructions Museum in the ancient town is surprisingly similar to the Fujian Tulou, the filming location of 'Big Fish & Begonia.' It's unexpected to find such distinctive ancient architecture in Shenzhen, truly surprising. Standing outside the museum, one can also take in the panoramic view of the ancient town, making the trip worthwhile. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 📍Location: Gankeng Ancient Town, Shenzhen 🚊Transport: Exit B of Gankeng Station on Line 10, about a 10-minute walk. 🎫Ticket: Free ⏱Time: Open all day (but I don't know what time the lights go out; we left around 10 pm, and the lights were still on) ⏰Recommended visiting time: 1-3 hours