Chengkan Ancient Village

Chengkan, located 31 kilometers north of Tunxi District in Huangshan City, is laid out according to [...]

Chengkan, located 31 kilometers north of Tunxi District in Huangshan City, is laid out according to the principles of Yin and Yang, and its scenery rivals that of Hongcun, albeit with less fame. Here, you can find many three-story Ming Dynasty buildings, which were considered ‘tall’ in ancient times; rare Song and Yuan Dynasty structures; and the exquisite Baolun Pavilion, which ranks among the best in all Huizhou ancient villages.
There are several routes to enter Chengkan, with the main entrance and ticket office situated at the southwest corner, and the Chengkan bus station also lies to the southwest. A viewing platform 100 meters from the ticket office offers a panoramic view of Chengkan. To the right front of the viewing platform is a hilltop with a small Hui-style village, another excellent spot for capturing panoramic shots. Every April, the rapeseed flowers bloom at the entrance of the village, creating a stunningly beautiful scene.

At the main entrance of Chengkan, there is a lake (Shuikou), similar to the South Lake of Hongcun, with a bridge over it. The white walls and black tiles are reflected in the lake, making it an excellent place for photography, and in summer, you can enjoy the lotus flowers in the lake. At the end of the Tang Dynasty, the Luo brothers moved to Chengkan, and the Luo family and their descendants built the village to conform to the Yin-Yang Bagua principles, with streets and alleys crisscrossing, making it feel like entering a Bagua maze.

It is recommended to hire a guide at the entrance to the scenic area to ensure you do not miss any important attractions, as the significance of features like the Bagua can only be understood with an explanation. Due to the limited number of guides, some local villagers may offer their services as unofficial guides. Some important buildings may be inaccessible to these ‘wild guides,’ who can only provide brief explanations at the entrance.

Some locals may only speak dialects, so remember to find someone who speaks Mandarin and agree on a price to avoid any unpleasantness afterward. The general tour route follows an east-west sequence.

If you are pursuing ‘antiquity,’ the Song Dynasty’s Changchun Society, located at the southeast corner of the village and dedicated to the worship of the Earth God, is quite old. The Yuan Dynasty’s Huanxiu Bridge is in the northeast of the village, with a pavilion at the bridgehead and the Huanxiu Pavilion next to it, which houses many old Huizhou wood carvings and embroideries. The Yuan Dynasty’s Luo Huita Residence is also historically significant.

If you want to see ‘exquisite architecture,’ the Ming Dynasty’s Baolun Pavilion (Zhenjing Luo Dongshu’s Ancestral Hall) is a must-visit, located in the northeast of the village. This is a three-part ancestral hall, with the first part being the ceremonial gate; the second part is the main hall, with a plaque inscribed by Dong Qichang and several golden nanmu pillars of immense value; the third part is the Baolun Pavilion itself.

Upon entering, be sure to look up at the roof, where the ends of the beams are carved with flowers, and most beams have colored patterns. Remarkably, some of the colors are still faintly discernible, making it a feast for the eyes! The Ming Dynasty’s Yanyi Hall and Luo Kunkun Residence are also worth a visit. Yanyi Hall, located at No. 1 Tiandeng Alley, is a three-story building with an impressive iron-studded gate and components on the beams and columns.

Luo Kunkun Residence, with the house number ‘Qianjie 66,’ is a two-story building with exquisite window carvings and beautiful balconies and window bars on the upper floor. Outside the village, at the southeast corner, the large single-arch stone bridge from the Ming Dynasty, Longxing Bridge, is also worth seeing.

Chengkan is not highly commercialized, which means that its dining and accommodation options are relatively limited. You can try local specialties such as tofu and hairy tofu from street vendors, which are said to be among the best in Huangshan City. There are a few lodging options within the village, but it is recommended to stay in the nearby Chengkan Town for more variety.

Just 8 kilometers away from Chengkan, you can find the Qian Kou Minju, which showcases a variety of Hui-style architecture. The Hui-style village of Tangmo is about 4 kilometers from Qian Kou Minju, making it convenient to visit all three sites in one trip.

The opening hours are from 07:30 to 17:30 all year round.

Preferential policies include:

– Children: Free entry for children aged 6 and under or with a height of 1.2 meters and under, with valid identification or height proof; discounted tickets for those aged between 6 and 18, based on actual height.

– Elderly: Free entry for those aged 65 and above with a senior citizen card or ID; discounted tickets for those aged between 60 and 65, with a senior citizen card or ID.

– Students: Discounted tickets for full-time primary, middle, and high school students (excluding adult education and postgraduate students) with a valid student ID.

– Disabled: Free entry with a disability certificate.

– Military: Free entry for active-duty military personnel, disabled military personnel, and retired military cadres with an officer’s ID.

– Tour guides: Free entry with valid identification.

Additional notes: The above information is for reference only, please check the specific details disclosed by the scenic area on the day of your visit.

Service facilities include:

– Parking: Chengkan Scenic Area Parking, with a fee, located at the entrance of the scenic area, with 100 spots available.

– WiFi: Username: chengkan; no password required; available throughout the visitor center.

– Luggage storage: Free of charge.

– Restrooms: There are multiple restrooms within the park, all clearly signposted.