Yangmei Ancient Town (扬美古镇), located in the southwest of Nanning, was established during the Song Dynasty and flourished in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties, boasting a history of over a thousand years. From its founding until the Republic of China era, Yangmei served as a bustling commercial hub within a hundred-kilometer radius, earning the nickname “Little Nanning.” It is the most well-preserved site of Ming and Qing architecture in Nanning, with over two hundred cultural heritage sites scattered throughout the town’s streets and alleys.
One of the town’s highlights is Qing Dynasty Street, also known as Linjiang Street. This 300-meter-long street is lined with ancient buildings, including traditional homes, ancient streets and alleys, Juren (scholar) residences, and the Huang Family Manor. The manor was built by a successful merchant and features three gates. The main gate faces south, while the second and side gates align with the east-west-oriented guest halls inside. The manor’s garden includes cotton trees, peonies, and other plants.
Two notable historical sites in Yangmei Ancient Town are particularly worth visiting. The first is the former residence of Liang Zhitang and Liang Lieya, pioneers of the Xinhai Revolution, located on Jinma Street. Although only one hall, three rooms, and a courtyard remain today, the original structure occupied half the street. It was here that secret meetings were held to discuss matters related to the Zhen Nanguan Uprising led by Sun Yat-sen.
The second site is the Kui Star Tower, built in the first year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1736). The main tower stands 15.3 meters high, with a square shape, tapering from a broad base to a narrower top, resembling an imperial jade seal. The three-story tower houses lifelike wooden statues: the first floor features the statue of Guan Yu, the second floor the statue of Wen Chang (the God of Literature), and the third floor the statue of Kui Xing, depicted holding a brush in his right hand, a book in his left hand, with his right foot raised as if kicking the Big Dipper and his left foot stepping on a mythical ao’s head, symbolizing scholarly success.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 10 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day throughout the year |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0771-5555667 |
Location and Transportation
Yangmei Ancient Town is situated in the southwest of Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, just 36 kilometers from the city center. To reach Yangmei from Nanning, you can take Route D275 (Wuyi Station to Yangmei Ancient Town):
Weekdays: Buses depart from Wuyi Station at 8:30, 11:30, 14:30, and 17:30. Departures from Yangmei Ancient Town are at 7:00, 10:00, 13:00, and 16:00.
Weekends and Holidays: Buses run more frequently from 7:30 to 18:30, with departures every 30 minutes to 1 hour.
