Plan at a glance
Old-town streets, entrances and ticket coverage
Baihou Ancient Town is in Baihou Town, Dapu County, Meizhou. The old-town streets can be walked for free, while entering indoor buildings such as Zhaoqing Hall and Haiyuan Building through the Visitor Centre requires a ticket. The indoor ticket costs around CNY 40 for adults and may be half-price for students; it usually includes a sightseeing vehicle and a rubbing activity. Free street access and ticketed halls are separate parts of the visit.
The streets are open all day, while indoor halls generally operate from 08:30 to 17:30 and some may close for lunch from 12:00 to 14:00. Advance reservation is usually unnecessary. Decide before arriving whether you want a free street walk or the indoor buildings so that you do not miss the halls' admission window.
Suggested time and visit scope
Allow 1.5–2 hours for the Thirty-Six Lanes, Haiyuan Building exterior and old-street food. With a ticket, Zhaoqing Hall, Qinanxuan, Tongyi Dafu Di and the rubbing hall, allow 2.5–3 hours. The buildings are scattered, so walking takes longer than the map's straight-line distances suggest.
Baihou works well with Tai'an Building, Hualou Building or Dapu County. If the indoor architecture is the priority, visit in the morning or after the lunch break rather than placing the most important halls in the midday closure period.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
View Visit Optionsvia Trip.comChoose your visit
Zhaoqing Hall and Sino-Western architecture
Zhaoqing Hall combines the layout of a Hakka round house with Western architectural decoration. The gate plasterwork, coloured glass and wood carving deserve a slow look. It is within the ticketed indoor area, so confirm whether the ticket includes the sightseeing vehicle, rubbing activity and all open sections.
The interiors contain steps, corridors and dimmer spaces. They suit architecture enthusiasts and photographers, but do not touch decorations or enter closed rooms for a photograph. During the lunch closure, walk the Thirty-Six Lanes and old street first.
Haiyuan Building, Qinanxuan and Tongyi Dafu Di
Haiyuan Building places a Western-style facade beside a Hakka roof and grey-plaster decoration. Qinanxuan is more like a study and courtyard, while Tongyi Dafu Di shows the layout of a Hakka official residence and its halls and wells. The opening status and route between the buildings depend on the day's signs and staff instructions.
The buildings are not one compact exhibition hall, so you still need to walk or use the included sightseeing vehicle. With older adults or children, confirm the drop-off and rest points before trying to cover every building.
The Thirty-Six Lanes and who it suits
The Thirty-Six Lanes are cobbled lanes with old walls, gates and ongoing village life. The free street area works well for a short walk, exterior architecture and local snacks, including for visitors who do not want to buy an indoor ticket.
Baihou suits architecture lovers, cultural photographers, family study trips and slow weekends. Some old houses are still private residences; stay quiet and do not treat free street access as permission to enter every interior.
Build your day
A 1.5–2-hour free street route
Park near the town government or another authorised area, walk through the Thirty-Six Lanes, view Haiyuan Building from outside and finish with food in Baihou Old Street. This route uses the public street area and does not include ticketed interiors.
The street is free, but free access does not mean that you can bypass the ticket gate for indoor halls. If you want to see the inside of Zhaoqing Hall, Haiyuan Building or the rubbing hall, buy the relevant ticket at the Visitor Centre and follow the official route.
A 2.5–3-hour architecture route
Buy the ticket at the Visitor Centre, start with Zhaoqing Hall, then follow the day's sightseeing-vehicle and opening arrangements to Qinanxuan, Tongyi Dafu Di, Nanlu Ancestral Hall and the Zhu De Headquarters Site, finishing at the rubbing hall. Some halls may close from 12:00 to 14:00, so begin in the morning or after the break.
The points are spread out, and even ticket holders should not assume that the vehicle runs as an unlimited circular service. Check the map first and choose the two or three buildings that matter most before adjusting to the day's access.
A two-day Dapu architecture route
On day one, visit Baihou Ancient Town and Tai'an Building, then stay in Dapu County. On day two, continue to Hualou Building or Songkou Ancient Town before returning. The attractions require driving, so confirm the road time and indoor hours rather than treating them as one walk.
Get there
Driving and public transport
Drive to “Baihou Ancient Town Car Park” or “Baihou Town People's Government.” The journey takes around 3–4 hours from the Pearl River Delta and about 15 minutes from Dapu County. Buses from Meizhou city or Dapu Bus Station serve Baihou Town, but services are limited, so non-drivers should confirm the outward and return times.
After arriving, decide whether you are going to the Visitor Centre or the free street area before choosing a parking point. The old town is not suitable for driving through; park and walk, or use the sightseeing vehicle included with the ticket.
Know before you go
Tickets, lunch closure and access changes
Clarify the boundary between the free streets and ticketed indoor halls before entering the town. Zhaoqing Hall and other halls may close from 12:00 to 14:00, and maintenance or events can change access. Do not assume that every building is open during the standard hours.
If you only want the street walk, use the public lanes. If you want the interior architecture, buy the relevant ticket rather than relying on online information about a “free entrance” and entering a hall without permission.
Paving, residents and supplies
The cobbled lanes can be tiring, so wear flat shoes with good grip. Food is concentrated along the old street, and carrying water is useful. Some old houses are still occupied; check the signs or ask before photographing or entering a courtyard.