Si Xi Yan Village, one of the attractions on the northern route of Wuyuan, is composed of two villages, Si Xi and Yan, situated one after the other. This place has been home to many wealthy merchants from the Ming and Qing dynasties, and the exquisite ‘stone carvings, wood carvings, and brick carvings’ within the luxurious courtyards stand out among the old Hui-style architecture in Wuyuan. Both the 1987 version of ‘Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio’ and the TV series ‘Blue and White’ have filmed scenes here. Closer to the entrance of the scenic area is Yan Village, while Si Xi Village is further away, approximately a 2-kilometer walk, accessible by the scenic area’s sightseeing electric cart. Tourists usually take a car to Si Xi Village and then stroll back to Yan Village, taking in the sights along the way. Between the two villages lies a vast rapeseed flower field, which is breathtakingly beautiful when the flowers bloom in spring. In comparison, Si Xi Village boasts better scenery, especially after crossing the corridor bridge over the river, Tongji Bridge. Not far into the village, past Zhenyuan Hall, one arrives at the Baishou Flower Hall, where 96 ‘Shou’ (longevity) characters in various fonts are carved on the lattices of 12 floor-to-ceiling windows, a scale of longevity wood carving rarely seen in folk art. Under the eaves, instead of the common lions or qilin, one finds elegant lotus ponds, white herons fishing, blooming lotuses, and plump lotus roots, a unique design. The Baishou Flower Hall is connected to the adjacent Jizhi Hall and Chengde Hall, followed by several old residences such as the Silver Treasury, Hua Yi Xuan, and Qi Ye Yanxiang, each with impressive carvings worth a look, and some homeowners sell souvenirs inside. A brief visit to the Jingxu Hall is also worthwhile. Beside the door of Jingxu Hall is a simple study, with a large garden in front, and a gourd-shaped niche on the wall inscribed with ‘Respect for Written Characters’, reflecting the ancient reverence for culture. The second floor features wood carvings of dramatic figures and landscapes, birds, and beasts, but unfortunately, the heads of most of the wood carvings have been destroyed. Notably, Jingxu Hall is the main outdoor location for ‘Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio’, allowing visitors to reminisce about scenes from the drama. After visiting all the attractions in Si Xi, crossing a wooden bridge over the water leads to a higher vantage point, surrounded by lush green hills in the distance and traditional white-walled, black-roofed villages nearby, perfect for capturing a quintessential ‘Wuyuan’ photo. Across the bridge, Yan Village is famous for its merchant courtyards, with the distinctive ‘merchant’ shaped gate and brick carvings, where almost every courtyard’s gate tower features a ‘merchant’ character, high buildings, and walls exuding an imposing presence. The main courtyards in Yan Village are roughly arranged in a circular pattern, and walking counterclockwise, one encounters Yuxing Hall, Dujing Hall, Xunjing Hall, Congting Hall, Mingxun Book Hall, and Liuxiang Women’s Quarters. It takes about half an hour to an hour to walk through them. The scenic area is open year-round from 07:30 to 18:30. Preferential policies for children: free admission for those under 1.2 meters (not including); from 1.2 meters (including) to 1.
Siqi Yan Village offers special discounts and free admission for certain groups: Seniors aged 65 and above with valid identification enter for free; those aged 60 to 65 with valid identification receive a discount. Full-time undergraduate students and below with a student card also receive a discount. Disabled individuals with valid identification enter for free. Active military personnel with valid identification enter for free. Tour guides with a team leader card, Wuyuan County guide card (interpretation card), or a valid national guide IC card (national guide certificate) enter for free. General managers of travel agencies with a certificate issued by the state enter for free. Journalists with a press card issued by the provincial-level press and publication or radio and television bureau enter for free. Drivers with an A1 class driver’s license for passenger transport enter for free. Artists with a provincial-level or above painter or photographer’s certificate enter for free.
Service facilities include a parking lot: Siqi Yan Village Scenic Area Parking Lot. Reference price: Paid. Location: At the entrance of the Siqi Yan Village ticket office. Spaces: 80. Restrooms: Siqi Yan Village has multiple restrooms located near the visitor service center and the viewing platform, with clear signs.
