The Peach Blossom Haven of Southern Zhejiang, where you can find the most complete ancient mountain dwellings in Zhejiang

If Cangpo Village is a country gentleman, then Linkeng Village is a commoner. One is suffused with scholarly elegance, the other brimming with rustic charm. The upper reaches of the Nanxi River, due to the high mountains, dense forests, and inconvenient transportation, have historically been poorer, with shorter village establishment times and lower levels of village development. Unlike the middle and lower reaches, which have a profound culture of farming and studying, Linkeng does not have a deep historical origin, has not produced high officials, nor does it have archways, and lacks substantial cultural relics, making it culturally weaker overall. In terms of architecture, Linkeng lacks core public buildings like ancestral halls, exquisite pavilions, and the garden landscapes commonly seen in the villages of the middle reaches. Speaking of individual dwellings, Linkeng does not have large mansions; it almost lacks even 'courtyards,' with most buildings being open and without external walls. However, the most Peach Blossom Haven-like place along the Nanxi River, I feel, is Linkeng. Mr. Chen Zhihua said that it has the most complete preservation of mountain dwellings along the Nanxi River. Entering Linkeng, the dwellings are scattered in an orderly fashion, surrounded by vast bamboo seas, with clear waters babbling endlessly, forming a unique mountain landscape. If you are not pursuing history and heritage, but just want to enjoy the scenery, Linkeng is an excellent choice. The most recommended time to visit is during the autumn harvest season. Over the mountain from Linkeng, you will arrive at Xianju in Taizhou.