Hongcun Ancient Village, located approximately 11 kilometers (7 miles) northeast of Yixian County, is celebrated as “a village straight out of a Chinese fairy tale painting.” This 900-year-old settlement was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The village’s layout resembles a cow: Leigang Hill forms the “bull’s head,” with two towering trees on the hill representing the “bull’s horns.” The residential buildings form the “bull’s body,” the winding stream is the “bull’s intestines,” the Moon Pool is the “bull’s stomach,” and the four bridges constitute the “bull’s four legs.”
1. Chengzhi Hall
Hongcun Ancient Village still preserves approximately 140 residential buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1644). Characterized by whitewashed walls and black tiles, these structures are remarkably sturdy. Among them, Chengzhi Hall stands out as the most outstanding, earning the title of “Folk Imperial Palace.” Its pillars, beams, and door frames are adorned with exquisite gold-inlaid carvings, requiring nearly 5 kilograms of gold for the wood carvings alone!
Other notable halls include the Wang Anshi Memorial Hall, the Hall of Scenic Beauty, the Hall of Auspicious Virtue, and the Hall of Harmonious Discourse.
2. Nanhu Academy
Nanhu Academy is situated on the northern shore of South Lake in Hongcun, covering approximately 6,600 square meters (7,900 square yards). It represents a quintessential example of southern Anhui vernacular architecture. The academy comprises six distinct sections: Zhidao Building serving as classrooms, Wenchang Building housing Confucian memorial tablets, Huiwen Building functioning as a reading room, Qiming Building dedicated to elementary education, a viewing pavilion, and the fully equipped inner courtyard—Qiyuan Garden.
3. Water Features of Hongcun Ancient Village
Beyond its ancient dwellings, the water features of Hongcun Ancient Village are equally captivating. The Crescent Moon Pond, South Lake, and winding streams add vibrant hues to the village landscape.
Located at the village center, the crescent-shaped Crescent Moon Pond once served as a gushing spring. Later, villagers channeled streams into the pond to provide daily water for the community.The construction of South Lake followed Moon Pool by approximately 200 years. When Moon Pool could no longer meet the villagers’ growing needs, they excavated South Lake, which features a vast arched shape encircled by two tiers of embankments. The upper embankment is paved with stone slabs, while the lower tier is lined with willow and poplar trees. On clear days, the reflections of white houses on the lake surface create a particularly enchanting scene. The film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was filmed here.
4. Famous Dishes of Hongcun Ancient Village
Anhui cuisine is celebrated as one of China’s eight major culinary traditions. In Hongcun Ancient Village, you can savor numerous Anhui specialties. Among them, the most renowned is stinky fish—much like stinky tofu, it smells quite pungent but tastes absolutely delicious! Another must-try delicacy is the local specialty pancake, filled with a variety of savory stuffings.