A Hidden Gem in Longnan, Ganzhou
### Longnan Town and Qianxin Town Travelogue: Hakka Customs and Leisurely Moments Amidst Mountains and Rivers
**Date: March 4, 2025
**Keywords: Cuisine, Hot Springs, Bamboo Forests, Tea Culture, Hakka Culture**
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First Stop: Longnan Town, Hakka Memories on the Tip of Your Tongue
Arriving in the morning at Longnan, a Hakka town nestled among mountains, the air is filled with the aroma of cooking fires and tea. Strolling through the old streets and alleys, the enclosed houses of blue brick and gray tiles tell the story of the Hakka people's history of "transforming from guests to hosts". Every dish here carries the nostalgia of home. The first recommendation is Hakka Tangpi—thin, crepe-like rice batter steamed and rolled with leeks or Chinese scholar tree flowers. Dipped in sauce, it's smooth and tender with an alkaline fragrance. Streetside shops also offer fried spring rolls and pearl eye soup. The former is crispy, and the latter is as crystal clear as pearls. Paired with a bowl of hot, homemade chicken soup, it warms the stomach and the heart.
In the afternoon, visit the Guanxi Enclosed House, a Qing Dynasty Hakka enclosed house with amazing defensive structures. While strolling, I came across a local elder making Ai Ci (mugwort rice cakes). The glutinous rice fragrance intertwined with the refreshing scent of mugwort, as if a bite captured the essence of spring.
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Second Stop: Qianxin Town, a Healing Journey in a Mountainous Paradise
In the evening, drive to Qianxin Town, about half an hour's drive from Longnan city. Along the way, bamboo forests stretch like a sea, and tea mountains rise in layers. By National Road 105 at the entrance to the town, a resort blending Hakka enclosed house style and modern design emerges from the clouds and mist.
Check-in Experience: Senquan Villa Deep in the Bamboo Forest
This time, I stayed in a two-bedroom, one-living room hot spring villa on the mountaintop. The detached wooden house is hidden among the bamboo sea, and the infinity pool on the balcony complements the mountain view. The room is equipped with tea sets and bathrobes, and the refrigerator is stocked with the town's homemade green bamboo ice wine. As night falls, soaking in the private hot spring, the starry sky dances with the bamboo shadows, completely relaxing the body and mind.
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Day 3: Slow Living in Tea Mountains, Bamboo Forests, and Hakka Workshops
Morning: Tea Culture Tour and Mountain Stroll
Enjoy a buffet breakfast at the Qianxin Hui Restaurant, where hand-ground soy milk, Hakka soup noodles, and whole grains awaken the taste buds. Then, follow the tea farmers into the vast organic tea garden to experience the whole process of tea picking, tea frying, and tea tasting. Chinese yew trees and tea trees coexist in the tea garden, and the air is filled with the fragrance of Qian tea. The staff explained that this is the result of an ecological experiment by the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Afternoon: Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshops and Bamboo Forest Feast
The Qian Workshop in the town is the heart of the cultural experience:
- Dried Bean Curd Workshop: Personally peel off the steaming soy milk skin and experience the ingenuity of traditional craftsmanship.
- Winery: Participate in making Ciba (glutinous rice cake) and rice wine, with Hakka grandmothers teaching step by step, filling the workshop with laughter and the aroma of glutinous rice.
- Clay Oven Chicken Workshop: Bamboo forest chickens wrapped in lotus leaves are roasted in a clay oven until tender, infused with the fragrance of bamboo leaves.
Dinner is at the Bamboo Forest Feast Restaurant. Dishes such as bamboo rice, Hakka stuffed tofu, and Qian wine stewed chicken are made with ingredients from the town's ecological farm, simple yet authentic.
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Conclusion: Return Trip and Travel Tips
Transportation: Qianxin Town is 13 km from the Longnan South exit of the Daqing-Guangzhou Expressway. Self-driving is the most convenient option. Free shuttle buses are available within the scenic area, on demand.
Tickets and Accommodation: Hotel guests enjoy free admission to the scenic area (adult ticket: CNY 35). It is recommended to choose rooms with hot springs. Prices range from CNY 400 to 600 during the off-season. Reservations are required in advance during peak season.
Seasonal Experiences: Spring tea picking, summer retreats, autumn ginkgo viewing, and winter hot springs make it a year-round destination.
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Postscript
During the two days in Qianxin Town, time seemed to be stretched by the bamboo forest and the fragrance of tea. This is not only a "natural oxygen bar" to escape the hustle and bustle, but also a living Hakka cultural museum. From the tip of the tongue to the soul, from the workshops to the mountains, every detail interprets the profound meaning of "Qian"—reverence for nature, adherence to tradition, and sincere hospitality to travelers.