Gankeng Ancient Town: Lives Up to the 'Keng' (Pit/Rip-off) in its Name! 🕳️
-
Well, you ask me why I make such claims about Gangkeng Hakka Village?
-
Simply put, it has been too commercialized – far beyond measure!
- This village, originally intended as a historical representation of Hakka culture (a unique ethnic subgroup of the Han Chinese with their own traditions and language), has been so heavily modified that it barely resembles anything close to its ancient roots.
- Not just overcrowded, worse still, all the souvenir shops here sport modern interiors to match, which have little to do with the essence of "ancient town." Seriously, could the management at least try to keep a semblance of the traditional atmosphere? I'm speechless.
-
In consequence, if you’ve visited this place, I bet you don't fancy going back again.
-
️ Now, if you’re genuinely and truly curious enough (as the author emphasizes “truly-truly-truly”) and intend to go:- The first reluctantly recommended time is to visit right after it rains (when the ground remains slightly wet):
- Why choose rainy days? Because some alleys may still offer a glimpse of the area’s potential charm, vaguely resembling a water town scene, or "Jiangnan Water Town" (literally meaning ‘water towns in the southern part of Jiang’ where picturesque villages with small bridges over calm streams can be found).
- At best, you could struggle to take a few photos with some traditional appeal.
- The second reluctantly recommended time is at night.
- Warning: It can still be extremely crowded!
- That said, there will be colored lights adorning the eaves, providing another sight to appreciate.
- ️ A strong non-recommendation: Do not visit during bright sunny days!
- It will be unbearably hot, making it difficult to enjoy a single moment here.
- The first reluctantly recommended time is to visit right after it rains (when the ground remains slightly wet):
-
To sum up my hard-earned experience lessons:
- Don’t come! Don’t come! Don’t come! (said three times for emphasis!)
- This place is a “pit” (which in Chinese is often described as a 'trap' or a 'disappointing experience’).
- A dry pit, where anyone who falls into it not only doesn't splash into water but instead lands directly onto solid concrete - do you understand what I am conveying here?
I hope my grievances will serve to help you make an informed decision!
-
-
Never! Coming! Back! Again!
-
A 25 RMB fruit tea that was basically just a few pieces of fruit in plain water with some muddled lemon. It had absolutely no tea flavor... just tasted like lemon mixed with plain water. Easily the worst fruit tea I've ever had.
-
Hahaha, thanks for exposing another tourist trap for all of us!
-
I always eat at the Yanmian (pickled noodle) restaurant next to that old watchtower – it's in that beautiful old house, probably run by original villagers. Their stir-fried mulberry leaves, Hakka tofu, and pork offal soup are genuinely delicious. I go there whenever I get a craving. As for the scenery, well... it all feels pretty generic these days, with those 'Yiwu commodity' type souvenirs everywhere.
-
Wow, thanks for the recommendation! Everyone should give it a try.
-
Ever since Gankeng Hakka Town was renamed Gankeng Ancient Town, its distinctiveness vanished instantly. I wonder if this marks a turning point in the decline of its investor, OCT Culture & Tourism, perhaps led astray by someone in charge who has no respect for traditional (Hakka) culture.
-
But then again, almost all 'ancient towns' across the country are like this now.
-
So, are there any other places in Shenzhen actually worth visiting?
-
I went yesterday, and it's actually pretty good for taking photos.
-
Looks like this young lady went fully prepared!
-
Hey, the night view is actually pretty good!
-
I was there for half an hour and then left.
-
Excuse me, are you some kind of 'special forces' tourist? What's your codename?
-
Went yesterday, the stuff inside is a real rip-off.
-
Heavens, this lady is quite something!
-
Tonight.
-
So the evening lights are pretty decent, I see!