Stop crowding into Xitang and Wuzhen! I found a true Peach Blossom Land deep in the mountains of Zhejiang

Are you tired of the commercialization and noise of popular ancient towns? Want to find a truly peaceful, undeveloped original ancient village to quietly relax and take some photos full of stories? Then let me quietly tell you—hidden in the folds of the mountains in Yongjia is a place that has stayed with me for half a month after returning: Linkeng Ancient Village. There are no hawkers, no mass-produced souvenir shops, only the sound of the stream, the wind rustling through bamboo groves, and the aroma of home-cooked meals wafting from every household at dusk. 🌿 Why Linkeng? — Love at first sight for 700 years The moment the car wound up the mountain, I knew I had come to the right place. A cluster of black-tiled wooden stilt houses spread out along the mountain slope, like a landscape scroll forgotten by time. It doesn’t feel like a tourist spot, but more like a living “old home”: elders weaving bamboo baskets under the eaves, puppies sunbathing on stone steps, women washing clothes by the stream—everything moves at just the right slow pace. ✨ A few unforgettable moments: · After the rain when mist lingers: If you catch it raining, congratulations, you’ll see the village’s “divine” look. Mist rises from the valley, swirling among the stilt houses like a fairyland. Standing on the stone bridge, it feels like a martial arts hero might ride by on horseback any second. · Lanterns lighting up at dusk: When the sky is dim but not dark, red lanterns light up one by one in every household. The warm glow reflects in the stream, and the stone path is gently tinted. In that moment, you might really feel like you’ve stepped into a wuxia movie. · Chatting with village elders: On the ancient bridge at the village entrance, I met a grandmother in her seventies who smiled and handed me a handful of homemade dried sweet potatoes. Talking with her and hearing stories of the village’s past, that simple warmth was the most heartwarming part of the trip. 📝 How to fully enjoy Linkeng 🚗 Transportation tips · Self-driving navigation: Linkeng Ancient Village, Huangnan Township, Yongjia County, Wenzhou (about 3 hours from Hangzhou, 1.5 hours from Wenzhou) · The mountain road is winding but in good condition, with beautiful Nanxi River scenery along the way—drive slowly and enjoy. · There is a free parking lot at the village entrance. 🏡 Accommodation recommendations · Definitely stay at least one night! Experience the quiet of the empty village in the morning and the starry sky at night. · Most homestays are run by locals, simple and clean. Prices are affordable, generally between 100-300 RMB. 📸 Photo spots 1. Stone arch bridge at the village entrance: a must-shoot! From the bridge, you can frame the stream, houses, and distant mountains perfectly. 2. Hilltop viewing platform: about a 15-minute hike up a path behind the village, offering a panoramic view of the layered rooftops. 3. Streamside trail: in the soft afternoon light, with stilt houses as the background and sitting on stones by the stream, the atmosphere is perfect. 4. Lantern night scene: during the blue hour (half an hour after sunset), even a phone can capture the warm glow of the lanterns. 🍲 Food you can’t miss · Be sure to have a home-cooked meal at a homestay! Ingredients are all home-grown and raised. · Recommended dishes: stir-fried fresh bamboo shoots, stream fish, local free-range chicken, Yongjia wheat cakes, handmade rice cakes. Simple cooking, but you can taste the true sweetness of the food. 💡 Warm tips · Wear comfortable shoes; the village paths are all stone slabs and steps. · The best seasons are late spring to early summer (April-May) and autumn (October-December), when the greenery is lush or the autumn colors are brilliant. · You can combine your visit with Nanxi River’s Shiwaiyan and Cangpo Ancient Village for a rewarding trip. ❤️ My true feelings During my two days in Linkeng, I turned off most work notifications. I spent the day sitting by the stream, daydreaming, and the night walking under lantern light, watching the stars gradually appear. This place may not have “perfect” tourist facilities, but it is precisely this unpretentiousness that preserves its most touching essence—a quiet, simple, and unhurried way of life. If you want to temporarily escape the hustle and bustle, find a place to breathe and calm your mind, Linkeng might be the answer. It’s like an ancient book gently closed, with pages filled with mountain winds, stream sounds, and human warmth, quietly waiting for a kindred soul to open it.