Hangzhou's Secret Ancient Town: Longmen, Where History is Free & Crowds Are Few (A Local's 2026 Travel Guide)
- cometodolphinunion
- Jan 12
- 6 min read
Looking for an ancient town near Hangzhou? Most tourists go to Wuzhen or Xitang. They pay 150 RMB and fight big crowds. But Hangzhou has its own secret. It's called Longmen Ancient Town (龙门古镇). And it's completely free.
Last spring, my friend James from the UK visited Wuzhen. He spent over 200 RMB on tickets and boat rides. "It was beautiful," he said, "but felt like a movie set. Every corner had a souvenir shop." Later, I took him to Longmen. "This is real," he told me. "We walked for hours. We saw no other foreigners. And we paid nothing to enter."
This guide will show you how to find Longmen Ancient Town (Longmen Guzhen). I'll give you the exact bus routes, free parking spots, and photo tips. You'll see the real Jiangnan water town without the tourist price tag.
Why Longmen is Hangzhou's Best Kept Secret
Free Entry vs. 150 RMB Tickets How much does it cost to visit? Longmen Ancient Town has no entrance fee. Zero. Compare that to Wuzhen (120-150 RMB) or Xitang (100 RMB).
Take my Canadian friend Lisa for example. She loves history but hates crowded places. She visited Longmen on a Tuesday. "I had the old streets to myself," she shared. "I walked into ancient family halls. I touched the old wooden carvings. All for free."
Remember this: Longmen is a living town. Real people live here. It's not a theme park. That's why it's free and feels authentic.
A Town of Sun Family Descendants What's the story here? Over 90% of the people in Longmen are descendants of Sun Quan. He was a famous king from the Three Kingdoms period 1800 years ago.
My Japanese friend Hiroshi is a history fan. He was amazed. "I walked the same stone paths as the Sun family," he said. "The architecture is Ming and Qing dynasty. It's like a history book you can walk through."
You don't need to know the history to enjoy it. But it makes the visit more special. Look for the Chinese character "孙" (Sun). It's everywhere.
How to Get to Longmen Ancient Town from Hangzhou
By Public Bus (The Cheap Way) Can you get there by bus? Yes, and it's easy. The total cost is about 15 RMB from downtown Hangzhou.
Here is the simple route:
Take Metro Line 6 to Guihua West Road Station (桂花西路站).
Go out Exit C.
Find bus 2358 or the "Red Study Line 1" (红色研学1号线).
Get off at Yangqiaotou Station (羊桥头站).
Walk 5 minutes to the town.
My German friend Klaus used this route. "The metro was clean and easy," he noted. "The bus was a local one. The ride through the countryside was nice. It took about 90 minutes total."
By Taxi or Private Car (The Fast Way) Is a taxi better? It's faster but costs more. A taxi from West Lake costs about 150-200 RMB one way. The ride takes 50-60 minutes.
My Spanish friend Carlos took a taxi with his family. "With three people, it was worth it," he said. "We saved time. The driver took us right to the free parking spot."
Speaking of parking: Do NOT pay for parking. Navigate to "Longmen Town People's Court" (龙门镇人民法庭). The parking lot there is free. It's a 2-minute walk to the old town.
The 3 Must-See Spots in Longmen
1. Inkstone Pond under Moonlight (砚池月夜) Where is the best photo spot? Find the Inkstone Pond. It's in the center of town. The view is stunning.
You walk through narrow alleys. Then you see a peaceful pond. Old white houses reflect in the water. Willow trees touch the surface.
My American friend Emily took her best photo here. "I went at 4 PM," she said. "The light was golden. The reflection was perfect. It looked like a Chinese painting."
2. The Arch of Loyalty (义门牌楼) What is the most famous landmark? It's the Yimen Archway. This stone arch is over 400 years old. It honors a loyal family from the Ming dynasty.
Stand across the street to take your photo. A pomegranate tree frames the arch. It's a beautiful scene.
My French friend Camila wore a flowing dress here. "The photo looks like I stepped back in time," she told me. "The ancient arch, the old street. It's magical."
3. Longmen Stream (龙门溪) Is it good for kids? Absolutely. The Longmen Stream runs through the town. The water is clear and shallow.
Kids can play in the water. The trees give good shade. It's a nice break from walking.
My Dutch friend Ella brought her son. "He loved splashing in the stream," she said. "The water was cool. We saw small fish. It was a perfect family moment."
(Longmen Ancient Town Hangzhou travel guide)
What to Eat in Longmen Ancient Town
Street Food on Old Street (龙门老街) What local snacks should you try? The Old Street has simple, tasty food. Prices are low.
You must try the fried gluten puffs (炸面筋). They cost 10 RMB for 5 pieces. They are crispy outside and soft inside.
My Brazilian friend Diego loved them. "They are like little flavor bombs," he laughed. "Very tasty and cheap."
Also try the fermented rice steamed buns (酒酿馒头). They are 10 RMB for 6. They are soft and slightly sweet.
A Local Lunch Where to sit down for a meal? Look for small restaurants with local customers. They often have no English menu. Just point at what looks good.
A simple lunch of local dishes costs 40-60 RMB per person. Try the bamboo shoots and freshwater fish.
My Italian friend Sofia did this. "The owner showed us the fresh vegetables," she said. "We pointed. The food was delicious and homemade."
Practical Tips for Your Visit
Best Time to Go and What to Wear When should you visit? Go on a weekday. Tuesday to Thursday are best. Weekends have more local visitors but still far fewer than Wuzhen.
Spring (April-May) and Autumn (October-November) have the best weather. Summer can be hot.
Wear comfortable walking shoes. The stone paths are uneven. For photos, wear light colors. White, light blue, or light green look great against the old walls.
My Swedish friend Sven visited in October. "The weather was perfect," he said. "A light jacket was enough. The town was very peaceful."
Money and Connectivity Do they accept credit cards? No. Bring cash. Small vendors only take Chinese cash or Alipay/WeChat Pay.
Phone signal is good in town. But download an offline map just in case. The alleys can be confusing.
My Australian friend Mia used Alipay everywhere. "I connected my foreign card to Alipay before my trip," she advised. "It worked for all the small food stalls."
Why This Beats the Famous Ancient Towns
I've been to all the ancient towns near Hangzhou. Wuzhen is beautiful but too perfect. Xitang is lively but very commercial. Longmen is real.
My Norwegian friend Lars compared them. "Wuzhen is for photos," he wrote to me. "Longmen is for feeling. You feel the history in the quiet alleys. You see real life in the courtyards. And the price is right."
For a stress-free trip, consider a private car. It's great for families or groups. Our team at DolphinUnion can arrange it.
Get a custom quote here: https://www.dolphinunion.com/transportation-services-china
Want to Discover More of Hangzhou's Secrets?
My complete guide, "Hangzhou Travel Guide – The Ultimate 96-Hour Lakeside & Heritage Itinerary", shows you how to:
Find the 6 RMB public ferry on West Lake (not the 70 RMB tourist boat)
Experience a private tea ceremony in a hidden lakeside pavilion
Visit Lingyin Temple before the big crowds arrive
Navigate the Grand Canal like a local using the 3 RMB water bus
Choose between the 5000-year-old Liangzhu City or the natural Xixi Wetland
It has exact times, mapped routes, and local secrets you won't find anywhere else. It turns a standard trip into a deep cultural experience.
Ready to escape the crowds? Skip the expensive, packed ancient towns. Visit Longmen instead. Enjoy the quiet beauty, the real history, and keep your money for a great lunch. It's the smart traveler's choice for an authentic day trip from Hangzhou.
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