Fan He Village boasts well-preserved walled architecture that exudes a tranquil and beautiful atmosphere, imbued with the essence of daily life. If you drive to the village, you will notice a sign indicating it as one of the ‘Top Ten Ancient Villages in Guangdong’ along the roadside in Ren Shan Town.
The history of the village dates back to the first year of the Hongwu era during the Ming Dynasty, and to this day, it remains a ‘vibrant’ ancient village. Strolling through Fan He Village, you can witness villagers hanging clothes to dry in the narrow alleys and children gathering at the entrance of the lanes to play after school. The village is rarely crowded with tour groups; even on weekends, it is mostly visited by travelers and photography enthusiasts who have heard of its fame. When it comes to the village’s attractions, the highlights of Fan He Village are primarily the ancient walled houses, numerous temples, a Gothic Catholic church, an ancient stage, and a small hill. Some villagers’ homes have been renovated with modern bricks and tiles, yet the large stone blocks at the entrance and the bluestone paths still carry an ancient charm. Almost every household in the village worships deities, with many having incense burning at their doorsteps and in their ancestral halls, demonstrating their deep piety. Some temples have stages built in front, and currently, there are three ancient stages preserved: the Shui Xian Ye Stage, the Ma Qian Stage, and the Cheng Huang Miao Stage. Out of the five ancient stages existing in Huidong County, three are preserved here. The entire village is open to visitors all year round, with full-day access.
