A Millennium-Old Secret Hidden in Zhejiang: An In-Depth Guide to Exploring the Ancient Villages of Songyang

Praised by National Geographic as "the last secret realm of Jiangnan," the ancient villages of Songyang are never mass-produced tourist spots. Instead, they are places where time is hidden within rammed earth walls and poetic life drifts through the tea fields. Here, there are no noisy crowds, only morning mist drifting over terraced fields, leisurely chats under old camphor trees, and the warmth of handmade crafts. This guide will help you unlock the most authentic slow life in Songyang. 1. Must-Visit Ancient Villages: Each with Its Own Soul Over a hundred ancient villages are scattered across Songyang, each with its unique character. Choosing a few for a deep visit will let you understand much of Jiangnan. Yangjiatang Village: The Light and Shadow Story of the "Golden Potala Palace" Built on a mountainside with centuries-old yellow rammed earth houses stacked layer upon layer, this place is called the "Potala Palace of Jiangnan." The "Couple Trees" at the village entrance witness the passage of time, turning fresh green in spring and golden in autumn. Arriving before 6:30 AM allows you to capture the ink-wash-like scene of morning mist winding around the houses. The sight of an old farmer leading an ox beneath the trees is perfect for photography. No need to search for scenes inside the village; the bluestone paths, mottled earth walls, and crops drying on windowsills all capture the serene texture of time. Chenjiapu Village: Artistic Living on the Cliffside This ancient village built on a cliff has houses arranged neatly along the mountainside. The most captivating view is inside the Pioneer Bookstore · People's Bookstore—a free "vertical bookstore" with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the layered terraced fields. Enjoy a cup of tea latte, watch the distant mountains like ink paintings, and easily snap atmospheric photos. Many homestays here are renovated rammed earth old houses. Sitting on the terrace at dusk watching the sunset dye the valley red, and at night, gazing at the Milky Way with minimal light pollution, the artistic vibe is fully immersive. Pingtian Village: A Symphony of Intangible Heritage and Ancient Houses This village preserves the most complete groups of rammed earth walls and blue-tiled roofs. The Wang Jinghong Memorial Hall holds the historical codes of the ancient village. Every Saturday night, you can enjoy the intangible cultural heritage performance of "Songyang Gaoqiang" opera. Sip afternoon tea on the terrace of a homestay by the terraced fields, or spend 100 yuan to book a bamboo weaving intangible heritage experience, making a bamboo lantern as a souvenir. The warmth of ancient craftsmanship is felt at your fingertips. Songzhuang Village: An Untouched Secret by the Stream A clear tributary of the Ou River flows through the village. The century-old stone arch bridge is a favored shooting spot by National Geographic. Standing on the bridge, reflecting the stream and distant mountains, every photo is poetic. The village has no excessive commercial development, only a few quiet cafes and craft shops. When tired, sit by the stream to listen to the water or visit a villager’s home for a bowl of hot sweet potato soup, experiencing the purest mountain living. 2. Flavors of the Mountains and Fields: Authentic Tastes Hidden in Everyday Life Songyang’s cuisine is a gift from the mountains and forests, with every bite carrying fresh local flavor. - Intangible Heritage Feast "Ten Bowls": The signature of the "Old Teahouse Restaurant" in Gushi Town, where for about 50 yuan per person you can taste specialties like tea-flavored spare ribs and stewed salted chicken, savory and flavorful, fully showcasing Songyang’s taste. - Shicang Braised Pork Trotters: A must-order dish at farmhouses in Shicang Village, rich in collagen that stretches like cheese, paired with local tea-flavored tofu for a layered taste. Satisfying for about 40 yuan per person. - Mountain Snacks: Tea crisps at "Cloud Tea House" in Zhuxi Village cost only 5 yuan each, with a strong tea aroma; also try sha lei, yellow rice cakes, Qingming rice cakes with scrambled eggs, and other local snacks available at homestays or farmhouses. - Fresh Tea Flavors: Near Damushan Tea Garden, "Tea Fragrance Bisha" offers fresh Mingqian tea and the chance to experience the "Songyang Fragrant Tea" frying process. The tea aroma infused into dishes offers a unique flavor. 3. Itinerary Planning: 3 Days 2 Nights to Slowly Enjoy the Secret Realm Day 1: First Encounter with Ancient Villages · Light and Smoke - Morning: Take the high-speed train to Songyang Station, then a 20-yuan taxi to the county town. Head straight to Yangjiatang Village to photograph the morning mist under the "Couple Trees" and explore century-old houses. - Noon: Eat the "Ten Bowls" in Gushi Town, focusing on the tea-flavored spare ribs. - Afternoon: Head to Pingtian Village, visit the memorial hall, see rammed earth old houses, and try bamboo weaving crafts. - Evening: At Zhuxi Village’s "Cloud Tea House," enjoy tea crisps and watch the sunset. After stargazing the Milky Way, stay overnight at a Pingtian homestay. Day 2: Art and Tea Fields · Healing Stroll - Morning: Drive to Chenjiapu Village, read and enjoy the view at the Pioneer Bookstore, and write a letter to your future self. - Noon: Eat braised pork trotters and tea-flavored tofu at a farmhouse in Shicang Village. - Afternoon: Start from "Songyang Tea Fragrance Town" and hike the ancient tea mountain trail for 3 hours, passing tea fields and bamboo forests, ending at Songyang Covered Bridge. - Evening: Stay at artistic homestays like "Feiniaoji" in Chenjiapu Village and enjoy firewood-braised old duck with dried bamboo shoots. Day 3: Secret Realm Farewell · Take the Mountain Flavors Home - Morning: Visit Songzhuang Village, photograph the stone arch bridge, stroll by the stream, and feel the charm of the pristine ancient village. - Noon: Eat highland potatoes stewed with cured meat in the village, tasting mountain flavors. - Afternoon: Return to the county town to buy souvenirs. Handmade yellow rice cakes, Songyang fragrant tea, and dried wild chrysanthemums are great choices. Then take the high-speed train back. 4. Practical Tips: Avoid Pitfalls and Prepare Well Transportation Guide - External Transport: High-speed trains from Hangzhou/Lishui to Songyang Station take only 1.5 hours. After exiting, taxis or chartered cars can take you to the villages. Self-driving is recommended, taking Hangxin-Jing Expressway to Longliwen Expressway, and navigating to "Songyang County Gushi Town Tourist Center." - Internal Transport: Villages are scattered. Charter cars cost about 300 yuan per day, or rent electric scooters for 150 yuan/day, which is cheaper than taxis. Choose "shortest time route" on navigation to avoid dangerous mountain roads. Accommodation Recommendations - Cost-effective Choice: "Yunxi MO+" in Pingtian Village, about 200 yuan per person, combines rammed earth walls with modern design and offers excellent terrace views. - Artistic High-end Option: "Feiniaoji" in Chenjiapu Village, about 600 yuan per person, a designer homestay renovated from old houses with unbeatable cliff views. - Warm Reminder: Homestays sell out quickly on weekends and holidays; book at least 3 days in advance. Prices drop significantly in winter. Avoid Pitfalls and Essentials - Best Seasons: Mid-October when autumn colors begin and morning mist is frequent is the golden photography period; March to May for rapeseed flowers in bloom; June to August for summer cooling—all suitable for travel. - Pitfall Warnings: The Covered Bridge Cultural Festival in the lunar seventh month is crowded and expensive; Damushan Village parking is 1 km from the scenic area, avoid carrying heavy luggage on foot; almost no food is available in ancient villages after 8 PM, so stock up on snacks in advance. - Must-Have Items: Mosquito repellent (many mosquitoes in ancient villages), non-slip hiking shoes, two power banks; some mountain villages have no 4G, download offline maps beforehand. Songyang is never a destination for rushed check-ins. Here, you can put down your phone, follow the footsteps of old farmers to see the terraced fields, listen to craftsmen tell stories of ancient techniques, and let time slow down. When morning mist drifts over the yellow earth walls and tea fragrance wafts from the old teahouse, you will understand why this is "the last secret realm of Jiangnan"—because it holds the most authentic life.