Plan at a glance
Open streets and time to allow
Linhe Ancient City is in Hejie Town (贺街镇), Babu District (八步区), Hezhou (贺州). It comprises open lanes, wall remains and historic buildings that are still in use. The lanes can be explored on foot when open, with no single scenic-area ticket or unified opening hours. Hezhou Confucian Temple (贺州文庙), guild halls and ancestral halls are managed separately, and each has its own entry rules.
Allow two to three hours to see the old city wall, Wenbi Tower (文笔塔) from outside and several buildings along the lanes. The visit is mainly about ruins and walking the streets, with few dining or visitor-service options. If you also plan to cross to the other side of the He River (贺江) or visit Yuyin Fushan (玉印浮山), arrange separate river-crossing and return transport.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
Layers of the old city
Linhe's administrative history dates to the sixth year of Emperor Wu's Yuanding era in the Western Han dynasty (111 BCE). The old city area includes several distinct sites: Jiuxiandu (旧县肚), Zhouwei (洲尾), Hexi (河西) and Hedong (河东). The Hexi old city stands on the west bank of the He River (贺江), locally known as Linjiang (临江) along this stretch, and remained in use for a longer period; its walls, academy, guild halls, ancestral halls and residences record different stages of town life.
Linhe Ancient City was included in the fifth group of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level in 2001. It suits visitors who enjoy identifying layers of history as they walk. The experience differs from a fully restored themed street with dense rows of shops or scheduled performances.
City walls, Wenbi Tower and the Confucian Temple
The Hexi city wall dates to the Eastern Han dynasty. Later rebuilding left traces of rammed earth and brickwork. Visit the wall and surrounding open areas; do not climb sections where access is not permitted. Hexi's Wenbi Tower was built in 1740 during the fifth year of the Qianlong reign and is also called Hexi Kuixing Tower. Hedong has a separate East Kuixing Tower. Wenbi Tower is viewed from outside; climbing it is not part of the regular visit.
Hezhou Confucian Temple was founded during the Yuanyou era of the Northern Song dynasty. The present buildings have been relocated and rebuilt, and the site is still used for traditional cultural activities. Ancestral halls and buildings such as Yuedong Guild Hall (粤东会馆) show Lingnan courtyards and decorative details, but each is used by a different management group or local residents. Check the notices at the entrance before deciding whether to go inside.
Hedong lanes and the old well
The arcaded streets, Yuedong Guild Hall and old commercial lanes in Hedong work well as a separate walk. If you also want to find the Stone-Paved Street and Guihua Well (桂花井), follow local directions for their exact locations and order; the buildings do not all form one continuous street. The old well is a historic feature. Do not drink from it, climb onto its rim or enter a courtyard to take photos.
The lanes connect homes, ancestral halls and ruins. Visitors interested in architectural details can look for wall surfaces, brick patterns and gateways. Do not linger outside residents' doors, and ask permission before photographing people or indoor spaces.
For another old-town walk in Hezhou, see Huangyao Ancient Town.
Build your day
A two- to three-hour walking order
For the core Hexi walk, start near the old city wall, then see Wenbi Tower from outside, Hezhou Confucian Temple and any nearby ancestral halls that are open that day. Return to your original drop-off point along open lanes. Allow two to three hours; if an ancestral hall or the temple is closed, view it from outside and continue.
Choosing between Hexi and Hedong
The Confucian Temple, old city wall, Wenbi Tower and nearby open ancestral halls in Hexi make a single walking section. Add East Kuixing Tower and the lanes in Hedong as a separate section. Confirm the river-crossing route available that day; count the crossing and return time separately from the Hexi walk.
Plan Yuyin Fushan separately
Yuyin Fushan (玉印浮山), a historic riverside landmark on an island in the He River, can be a separate stop. Before setting out, confirm whether visitors can go onto the island that day and which access method is allowed. If access information is unclear, stay along the bank; do not wade across or climb over riverside railings.
Get there
From downtown Hezhou
The destination is in Hejie Town (贺街镇), Babu District (八步区). By car or ride-hailing, navigate to “Linhe Ancient City” or “Hezhou Confucian Temple” (贺州文庙), then park according to on-site signs. The old lanes are narrow; do not drive into residential spaces or block entrances.
Bus and coach services
Buses or coaches run from downtown Hezhou toward Hejie Town. Routes, stops and last-service times can change, so check real-time transport information for both the outbound and return trips before leaving. If the schedule does not work, arrange a return vehicle in advance.
Know before you go
Before entering individual buildings
View Wenbi Tower from outside. Before entering an ancestral hall, the Confucian Temple or a guild hall, check the entrance and on-site notices. If it is closed, continue from outside; do not knock and demand entry or climb over a wall. Enter a residents' courtyard only with the owner's permission.
Streets and residents' privacy
Stone paving, old steps and riverside paths may be uneven. In summer, bring water and protect yourself from the sun. Residents still use these lanes: do not block doorways or make loud noise. Do not touch brick carvings, walls or well rails, or step on fragile remains.
Food and supplies
There are few shops and dining options inside the old city. Bring water and a small supply of snacks; plan a full meal in Hejie Town or back in downtown Hezhou. Hejie fish, stuffed tofu and oil tea are local dishes to look for. Specific restaurants, availability and prices depend on that day's menus.