The Hongcun Scenic Area is a representative of ancient Huizhou villages and has the reputation of ‘a village in Chinese paintings’. When coming to Hongcun, one can see the water features brought by the water conservancy system. Nanhu Lake and Yuezhao Pond are the essence. Second, one can see the three carvings of Huizhou style on architecture, brick carvings, stone carvings, and wood carvings, which are as fine as paper-cuts.
The cultural landscape and natural landscape are well integrated. Hongcun is located 11 kilometers northeast of Yixian County and 68 kilometers northwest of Huangshan City. It was built during the Shaoxing period of the Southern Song Dynasty (1131 – 1162 AD). Starting from the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty (1403 – 1424 AD), it gradually developed into the magical shape of a ‘cow-shaped village’. The ancient trees at the entrance of the village are the ‘horns’. The row upon row of Ming and Qing Huizhou-style buildings in the village are the ‘body of the cow’. The four bridges on the Xixi River in the west of the village are the ‘legs of the cow’. Yuezhao Pond is the ‘stomach of the cow’. Nanhu Lake is the ‘belly of the cow’. The water channels (ditches leading clear springs) flowing through every household are the ‘intestines of the cow’. The roads in the village lead in all directions. There are multiple entrances, and the main ones are three. One is the ‘entrance of the village’ in the local people’s mouth in the west of the village, where there are two ancient trees, red poplars and ginkgoes. One is the entrance leading to the west bank of Nanhu Lake through Jisi Bridge. Another one is on the east side of Nanhu Lake, where there is a parking lot. This is the larger entrance of Hongcun and also the location of the main gate. Generally, tourists enter from this gate and tour the ancient village from south to north. First, appreciate Nanhu Lake, one of the essence scenic spots at the southern end of Hongcun. It is a bow-shaped artificial lake excavated in 1607 AD during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. The water surface is wide, and the painted bridge crossing the lake is the place where Li Mubai led his horse in the movie ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’. On the north bank of the lake is Nanhu Academy. In the Qing Dynasty, the original six private schools by the lake were merged into one academy, so the academy appears very spacious. After seeing Nanhu Lake, walk northward and you can visit Jingde Hall and the former residence of Wang Daxie (Zhenqi Hall) on the way. Then come to the essence scenic spot in the center of Hongcun – Yuezhao Pond excavated in the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty. The surrounding Huizhou-style buildings are reflected in it, which is a good place for taking photos. Regrettably, there are often many tourists gathered by Yuezhao Pond, so it is difficult to take a photo without people. In the middle of the north bank of Yuezhao Pond is Lexu Hall, a ancestral hall. Most of the residents in Hongcun are surnamed Wang, so it is also called Wang’s Ancestral Hall. All the other houses in the village are from the Qing Dynasty. Only Lexu Hall is from the Ming Dynasty. Compared with the complexity of Qing Dynasty buildings, Ming Dynasty buildings appear simple. On the west side of the north side of Yuezhao Pond is Jingxiu Hall built in the Qing Dynasty. Continue to walk northward and visit Chengzhi Hall, the residence of Wang Dinggui, a wealthy salt merchant in the late Qing Dynasty. Chengzhi Hall has a study, kitchen, stable, bodyguard room, maids’ and servants’ rooms for both men and women, and even a ‘Paishan Pavilion’ for playing mahjong. There is a pond and a well inside the house, so there is no need to go out for water.Worth seeing is the exquisite Huizhou three carvings. Some wood carvings are also coated with gold powder, which can be described as magnificent. In addition, you can also see ancient buildings such as Deyi Hall, Shuren Hall, and Taoyuanju in the village.
Opening hours: Open all year round and all day.
Preferential policies:
Children: Those under 6 years old (inclusive) or with a height of 1.2 meters (inclusive) or below can enter for free with valid certificates.
Vending machines: Tourist Center. Convenience stores: Tourist Center, main visiting routes.