Xinye Ancient Village, nestled in the southwest of Jiande, stands as one of the larger settlements of the Ye family in China. Once an obscure ancient village, its fortunes changed in July 2014 when it was chosen as the filming location for “Where Are We Going, Dad Season 2.” Since then, the number of tourists has surged, and the village has introduced a “star-same-style” parent-child experience, allowing visitors to relive the challenges faced by the stars of the show.
Accessing several more representative old houses requires the purchase of tickets, but even without them, one can leisurely stroll around the village, exploring its winding alleys. Following the arrows on the tourist map in a counterclockwise direction around the scenic area takes approximately one to two hours.
What to see and do in Xinye Village? The village exudes an air of antiquity and tradition. Traditionally, visitors would focus on the architectural layout and the intricate carving decorations. Nowadays, another draw is the opportunity to visit the scenes from “Where Are We Going, Dad Season 2.” The houses and filming locations where the star dads and their adorable children lived are preserved in their original state. Almost all the tasks featured in the show, such as grinding tofu, pushing a wheelbarrow, and using a water chestnut bucket to retrieve items from the water, can be experienced by visitors (with some activities incurring an additional fee ranging from 5 to 20 yuan).
The village’s buildings and scenery are noteworthy. At the entrance, the Tuanyun Tower, Wenchang Pavilion, and Tudishen Temple stand side by side, forming a picturesque welcome to the village.The landmark buildings of Xinye Village not only stand as icons but also symbolize the local people’s generational pursuit of the ideals that farming enriches and reading elevates. The village, enveloped by a serene lotus pond, transforms into a paradise, especially during summer. The ancient village, bathed in moonlight over the lotus pond, is a picturesque sight. Summer visits offer the perfect opportunity to capture the beauty of Wenchang Pavilion and Tuanyun Tower, with the lotus pond as a stunning foreground.
The village houses where star dads and their adorable children resided are exemplary of the village’s architecture, primarily clustered around Nantang. Nantang, a sizable pond within the village, boasts a classic scene with the reflection of white walls and black tiles shimmering on its surface. Women are often seen washing clothes and children playing by the water, adding to the tranquil and pleasant atmosphere. Adjacent to the pond stands the 3-square-meter ‘Shuiyunjian’, a humble abode where Yang Wei and his son lived. This is also the place where one can play with a water chestnut bucket. The surrounding houses each have their unique charm. At Hanmoxuan, visitors can partake in making clay sculptures and grinding tofu. Shuangmeitang is considered the village’s ‘luxury house’, featuring a courtyard at the front, a garden at the back, and a fish pond in the middle. The wine cellar of Zuixianju, filled with wine jars, is unforgettable. Guests are also invited to sample the local, special native wine for free.If you are interested, you might as well buy some and take them home.
Accommodation and dining options are available in the ancient village. If you plan to stay overnight, it is recommended to stay at Mingxiangyuan, where the interior is decorated in Chinese classical style. Some rooms are fully furnished with classical furniture from the Ming and Qing dynasties, and you can sleep on a hundred-year-old bed for around 200 yuan. For dining, in Shouchang Town not far from Xinye, where the children in the show went to buy groceries, there will be more choices.
People in Shouchang have a preference for spicy food. If you’re sensitive to heat, kindly request the chef to use less chili. If you come across the local specialty known as crystal cake, it’s recommended to try it as it has a delightful taste.
The entire text refers to the opening hours from April 3rd to December 31st, which are from 08:00 to 16:30. For the period of January 1st to April 2nd, please refer to the preferential policy supplement. Note: The above information is for reference only; specific details should be verified with the actual announcements at the scenic spot on the day of your visit.
Service facilities include a parking lot: Xinye Ancient Village Parking Lot. Reference price: Free; Address: Xinye Ancient Village Parking Lot; Number of spaces: 800.
