China's First Livable City! This Hidden Gem in Zhejiang, Where Everyone Says the Scenery Is Like a Painting!
China's First Livable City! This Hidden Gem in Zhejiang, Where Everyone Says the Scenery Is Like a Painting!
China is home to many livable cities—Chengdu, Kunming, Changsha—these are all well-known cities praised for their livability. But until we discovered this small city in Zhejiang, it was easy to overlook.
This city has no major tourism promotions and is rarely included in the usual travel lists. Yet, its beauty and deep cultural heritage are like a book, with every page more exciting than the last.
It is the first county-level city in China to be awarded the title of "Livable City." Nestled between mountains and rivers, the city is encircled by the winding waters of a river.
A City of Culinary Delights
This small city is a food haven, the only place on the mainland with a Michelin restaurant. Over 100 local snacks are officially certified, and some have even been featured on CCTV. It’s not famous, but it’s rich in history, and it’s a hidden gem in Zhejiang: Linhai.
Linhai: A Historic City
Linhai, also known as Lu City, is located in the eastern coastal part of Zhejiang. It is a county-level city under Taizhou, and it is a city with a thousand years of cultural history, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in southern China, with over 2,100 years of history.
Linhai boasts a rich history and a wealth of cultural relics: from the sea wall built during the reign of Zhu Yuanzhang to the hollow enemy towers constructed by Qi Jiguang to defend against Japanese pirates, and ancient temples related to the Buddhist monk Jianzhen’s journey eastward.
Despite its treasures, Linhai remains low-key and unnoticed by most. But countless poets and literary giants have praised the city. During the Song Dynasty, Wen Tianxiang wrote: "The Sea Mountain is the land of the immortals, a lonely wanderer's place." In the Qing Dynasty, the literary figure Yu Yue described the city: "The beauty of East Lake is like a little West Lake." Zhu Ziqing also completed his famous essay "Hastily" here, leaving his mark in history.
Linhai: The Most Overlooked City
Despite being the first city in the country to earn the title of "Livable City" and being listed in the "2021 List of Chinese Cities with Famous Local Foods," most people still don’t know about Linhai.
Even though CCTV’s New Year's Gala was held here, even though the city was featured by Director Chen Xiaoqing in "A Bite of China," and even though it has been the shooting location for Mango TV variety shows, Linhai still remains largely unknown.
But despite being overlooked, Linhai is filled with ancient landmarks, beautiful mountain and water views, ancient towns, and delicious food, offering a serene and relaxed atmosphere. It has already attracted those who know how to enjoy life.
If you have some free time, take a trip to Linhai!
A Small City Just 2 Hours from Hangzhou
Linhai is a small city just two hours from Hangzhou, full of mountains, rivers, and ancient towns—a gem of Jiangnan that has been undervalued by outsiders.
The "Great Wall of Jiangnan"
In Linhai, there's the "Jiangnan Badaling"—the ancient city wall of Taizhou, which has stood for over 1,600 years. This landmark, part of the "Preliminary List of China's World Heritage Sites," winds around the mountain, creating a majestic sight akin to the Great Wall of China in northern China.
East Lake Garden: A Thousand-Year Garden
In the heart of Linhai, the East Lake Garden is a stunning classical Chinese garden, known as "Little West Lake." It features typical Jiangnan courtyard architecture and offers a glimpse of the region's distinctive beauty. Throughout the garden, ancient poetry and couplets left by scholars have been inscribed on stone pillars and pavilions, withstanding the test of time.
Ziyang Street: The Oldest Commercial Street
Once the most prosperous commercial area in Taizhou, Ziyang Street is Linhai’s "first ancient street," stretching 1,081 meters. It still retains elements from the Song Dynasty’s neighborhood system, with traces of historical districts like Yingsen, Shunzheng, and Yongjing. The street’s lively atmosphere at night, with its traditional lanterns and the smell of street food, preserves the charm of ancient Jiangnan life.
Shengkeng Village: Zhejiang’s Last Ancient Village
Shengkeng Village, surrounded by mountains, has a history of over 700 years. It was built during the Southern Song Dynasty by descendants of the right prime minister, Du Fan, who fled to the mountains to escape political strife. Today, only about 20 families live there, making it known as the "Last Ancient Village in Zhejiang."
Taohu Ancient City: The Best-Preserved Ancient City in Zhejiang
Taohu Ancient City is the only well-preserved military outpost among the 41 such sites along the Zhejiang coastline. Built by Qi Jiguang to fight off pirates, this city still retains ancient stone-paved streets, moss-covered city walls, and weathered homes that carry the weight of centuries.
Longxing Temple: A Tang Dynasty Buddhist Temple
The Longxing Temple, established in the Tang Dynasty, is home to the famous "Thousand Buddha Tower," featuring over 1,000 Buddha statues carved into the tower's structure. The temple's ancient architecture and tranquil setting offer a peaceful retreat.
Mount Kuocang: A Hidden Gem
Mount Kuocang, standing at 1,382 meters, is the highest peak in eastern Zhejiang and the site of the first rays of sunlight in mainland China each morning. With its vibrant rhododendrons in the spring and starry skies in the summer, it rivals Mount Wugong.
Jiangnan Grand Canyon: A Summer Retreat
The Jiangnan Grand Canyon, located in Yuxi Town, Linhai, is a green paradise filled with lush forests and clear streams. The canyon is famous for its "military drift," and during the summer, it is a perfect getaway from the heat.
Linhai: A Culinary Capital
Linhai has long been recognized as a food capital. In 2021, it was selected as one of the "100 Chinese Cities with Distinctive Local Food." The city is home to Michelin-starred restaurants, like "Xinyongji," and is known as "China's Snack Kingdom." With over 200 varieties of snacks, including 114 officially recognized, Linhai’s cuisine is diverse and rich in flavors.
If you're looking for an authentic food experience in Zhejiang, Linhai should be your first choice. You can find a wide array of traditional snacks, from meat-filled wheat cakes to sweet rice cakes, and a plethora of seafood dishes.
Linhai: The First County-Level City to Be Named "Livable City" in China! A city full of life and culinary wonders, it’s definitely worth a visit!