Liyuan Wei

Covering an area of 45,300 sq m - equal to the size of four football stadiums - and originally built between 1501 and 1536, Liyuan Wei is the largest and oldest fortified farmhouse in the region.

The complex comprises a farming section and a living section. The farming section has three fish ponds surrounded by paddy fields. The living section, with more than 400 rooms connected by 64 paths, is a real maze. The Liyuan Wei has four entrances situated at the east, south, west and north sides. The complex is ringed by a 789-m-long outer wall, and guarded by 12 watchtowers.

The ancient complex is still inhabited today. Travelers can see elderly residents chatting under arches, and children playing along paved paths.

If you want to enjoy this timeless tranquility before tourist crowds inevitably arrive at Longnan, there's no better time to go than the present.

By Chen Liang

Editor: Xu Xinlei