Luzhai

风雨做的梦想曲会差

5.0/5

Outstanding

Lu Residence is a landmark of Dongyang, a must-visit destination. The Lu Residence scenic area is now quite large, with an entrance fee for the old residence section (a complex of Ming and Qing dynasty buildings). It's very close to the city center, quick by car, and has a large parking lot. However, try to park near the visitor center to avoid a long walk. From the visitor center, it's a few minutes' walk to the old residence. Enter through the iconic archway, walk to the end, and turn left to reach the entrance. While the saying "North has the Forbidden City, South has Lu Residence" is a bit of an exaggeration, Lu Residence is undoubtedly one of the best-preserved and most authentic ancient architectural complexes in southern China. It tells the story of the rise and fall of the prominent Lu family. I also really appreciate how this type of ancient architectural complex is separated from residential areas, allowing visitors to appreciate it at their own pace (most ancient architectural complexes in Zhejiang are mixed in with local residential areas, making them inconvenient to explore). The core of the old residence is Suyong Hall – a nine-courtyard structure, which was previously rarely seen... Seeing the Lu family's former glory objectively reflects the family's past splendor. The tour route is simple; following the central axis makes it easy to avoid getting lost. Inside, besides the iconic lanterns and various antique plaques, there aren't many other highlights. Remember, there's also a lot of interesting stuff on the right side of the central axis. Enter from the Jinshi (进士) section (picture 4), where you'll see a nice group of ancient buildings (pictures 5 & 6). At the end is the Ancestral Tablet Hall (picture 7), where the ancestors of the Lu family are enshrined. Then, exit from here and return to the central axis to continue your tour. The closer you get to the end of the Suyong Hall, the more exquisite the area becomes. There's an old building (picture 8; the second floor is closed for preservation) – very delicate. The photo spot at the end of the central axis is charming and is the most quintessential part of the Lu residence, as well as the best photo opportunity. The tour takes about two hours. Using your cultural tourism card to scan the code at the entrance is very convenient. I'd definitely come again.