Yixian County Travel, Huangshan City, Anhui Province

Yixian County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province – a World Cultural Heritage site, known as 'the Museum of Ming and Qing Dwellings in China'. It is home to top-tier Huizhou ancient villages such as Hongcun and Xidi, famous for its well-preserved Huizhou architecture, beautiful pastoral scenery, and profound Huizhou cultural heritage. Experience the unique charm of 'a village in Chinese paintings' in 2 days.

857
square kilometers of area
90,000+
permanent population
40+
cultural relic protection units
2200 years
history of county establishment
Hongcun Scenery, Yixian County, Huangshan
Hongcun - A Village in Paintings
A World Cultural Heritage site, first built during the Shaoxing period of the Southern Song Dynasty (1131-1162). Backing onto the southern foot of Huangshan Mountain and facing South Lake, the entire village is laid out in the shape of an "ox". It preserves more than 140 ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Attractions such as Yuezhao (Moon Pond), South Lake, and Chengzhi Hall are famous at home and abroad, known as 'a village in Chinese paintings'.

2-Day Essence Tour of Huizhou Ancient Villages in Yixian

Village in paintings, heritage exploration, autumn scenery tracing, ancient architecture appreciation

Trip Duration
2 Days
Main Destinations
Hongcun, Xidi, Tacheng, Nanping Ancient Village, Guanlu Ancient Village
Suitable for
Photography enthusiasts, architecture lovers, cultural travelers, art sketch groups, family with kids
Per Capita Budget
¥300-¥700
Day 1
Tour of Two World Heritage Gems
Xidi · Hongcun
Itinerary Highlights

Visit Xidi in the morning to interpret the architectural codes of the 'Museum of Ming and Qing Dwellings'; explore Hongcun in the afternoon to experience the unique layout of 'a village in paintings'; stroll around Hongcun's Yuezhao (Moon Pond) in the evening to admire the beautiful artistic conception of the ancient village's twilight blended with lights.

Attraction Arrangement
Xidi
A World Cultural Heritage site, first built in the 7th year of the Qingli period of the Northern Song Dynasty (1047). Known as 'a village in the Peach Blossom Land', it preserves 124 Ming and Qing dwellings with neat layout. The village takes a vertical street and two roads along the stream as the main framework, forming a village street system extending eastward and to the north and south. Iconic buildings include Hu Wenguang's Official Archway, Jing'ai Hall, and Zhuimu Hall.
Hongcun
A World Cultural Heritage site, first built during the Shaoxing period of the Southern Song Dynasty (1131-1162). The village layout is like a reclining green ox, known as 'a village in Chinese paintings'. It preserves a large number of ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Landscapes such as South Lake in Spring Dawn, Yuezhao (Moon Pond) with Wind and Lotus, and Leigang Sunset are extremely distinctive. Buildings like Chengzhi Hall, Lexu Hall, and South Lake Academy are models of Huizhou architectural art.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Buses from Yixian County seat directly to Xidi (about 15 minutes) and Hongcun (about 20 minutes)
  • Tourist shuttle buses from Xidi to Hongcun (about 30 minutes)
  • Chartered car is recommended for more flexible itinerary
  • Hongcun Scenic Area is accessible on foot
Ticket Information
  • Xidi: ¥104 (valid for 3 days)
  • Hongcun: ¥104 (valid for 3 days)
  • Multiple entries to the scenic area with ticket
  • Half-price discount for students and the elderly with valid ID
Accommodation Recommendations
  • Homestays in Hongcun: Experience overnight stay in the ancient village with views out of the window
  • Homestays in Xidi Ancient Village: Feel the quiet atmosphere of the ancient village
  • Hotels in Yixian County seat: Cost-effective and convenient transportation
Day 2
Ancient Village Secrets and Autumn Scenery Tracing
Tacheng · Nanping · Guanlu
Itinerary Highlights

Head to Tacheng in the morning to admire the pastoral scenery, one of China's four best autumn landscapes (best in autumn); visit Nanping Ancient Village in the afternoon to find the shooting locations of movies such as "Ju Dou" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"; explore Guanlu in the evening to experience the unique charm of the connected "Eight Great Mansions" architecture.

Attraction Arrangement
Tacheng
One of China's four best autumn viewing spots, located about 2 kilometers north of Hongcun. Tacheng Ancient Village is built against the mountain, with ancient dwellings with upturned eaves scattered in a picturesque disorder. In autumn, the leaves of Chinese tallow trees turn from green to yellow and then to red, forming a gorgeous picture with the ancient village and fields, making it a paradise for photography and sketching.
Nanping Ancient Village
Known as 'China's Film Village', it preserves more than 300 ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. 72 lanes and alleys crisscross the village like a maze. There are 8 ancestral halls in the village, among which Ye's Ancestral Hall is large-scale. Many movies such as "Ju Dou", "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", and "Temptress Moon" were shot here.
Guanlu Ancient Village
Famous for the unique connected "Eight Great Mansions" architecture, composed of the residences of eight brothers of the Wang family in Guanlu. The eight mansions are independent yet connected to form a whole, reflecting the family settlement culture under the Huizhou clan system in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The architectural carvings are exquisite and well-preserved.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • From Hongcun to Tacheng: on foot or by local tricycle (about 15 minutes)
  • From Tacheng to Nanping: chartered car or self-driving (about 20 minutes)
  • From Nanping to Guanlu: about 10 minutes by car
  • Few public transportation between attractions, chartered car is recommended
Ticket Information
  • Tacheng: ¥30
  • Nanping Ancient Village: ¥43
  • Guanlu Ancient Village: ¥35
  • Combined Ticket (Nanping + Guanlu): ¥70
Food Recommendations
  • Yixian Laba Tofu
  • Hongcun Imperial Cake
  • Huizhou Smelly Mandarin Fish
  • Stinky Tofu (Maodoufu)
  • Kudzu Root Powder Balls
  • Yixian Stone Ear

Must-Try Food in Yixian

Yixian Laba Tofu

A traditional flavor food of Yixian County, named after being made on the Laba Festival of the lunar calendar. Cut tofu into square pieces, dried in the sun and baked over charcoal fire, it has a yellowish and moist color and hard texture. It can be eaten directly or stir-fried with meat, with a unique aroma and mellow taste.

Hongcun Imperial Cake

A specialty pastry of Hongcun, Yixian County, reputed to be a tribute in ancient times. Made with flour, sesame, osmanthus, rock sugar and other raw materials through multiple processes, it is crispy in taste, sweet and delicious, with a strong osmanthus aroma, and is a famous tea snack locally.

Kudzu Root Powder Balls

A traditional snack in the mountainous area of Yixian County, made with kudzu root powder as the main raw material, wrapped with meat filling or red bean paste filling and steamed. It has a soft and elastic taste, and the delicate fragrance of kudzu root blends with the deliciousness of the filling, which is both nutritious and delicious, and a must-have food for local festivals.

Yixian Stone Ear

A fungal plant growing on the cliffs in the mountainous area of Yixian County, shaped like fungus, with extremely high nutritional value. It is mostly stewed with local chicken, tastes delicious, and has the effects of nourishing yin and moistening the lungs, nourishing the stomach and promoting fluid production, and is a treasure among Huizhou mountain delicacies.

Yixian Travel Tips
Best Travel Time
  • Spring (March-April): Rapeseed flowers are in bloom, and the ancient villages are set against the sea of flowers
  • Autumn (October-November): Best time to enjoy Tacheng's autumn scenery, with layers of forests dyed in beautiful colors
  • Summer (June-August): Cool climate, suitable for summer vacation and leisure
  • Winter (December-February): Fewer tourists, can feel the quiet atmosphere of the ancient village
Must-Experience Activities
  • Shoot morning mist and reflections at Hongcun South Lake in the early morning
  • Find a professional interpreter in Xidi Ancient Village to learn the stories behind the architecture
  • Shoot sunrise and red leaves in Tacheng in autumn
  • Find movie shooting locations in Nanping Ancient Village
  • Taste freshly baked Hongcun Imperial Cake and Laba Tofu
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: About ¥200-300
  • Catering: ¥100-200 per day
  • Accommodation: ¥150-400 per night
  • Transportation: ¥100-200
  • Total: ¥300-700 (for 2 days)
Frequently Asked Questions
  • What World Cultural Heritage sites are there in Yixian? → Both Hongcun and Xidi are World Cultural Heritage sites
  • What is the difference between Hongcun and Xidi? → Hongcun is known for its water layout, while Xidi is famous for its neat architecture
  • Best time to visit Tacheng? → Late October to early November, when the red leaves are at their peak
  • What specialties can be bought in Yixian? → Yixian Shimo Tea, Huizhou Bamboo Weaving, Laba Tofu, Hongcun Imperial Cake

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