Hongcun Scenic Area is located in Hongcun Town, Yixian County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province. The village covers an area of 19.11 hectares. It is a traditional Chinese village, a famous historical and cultural village in China, and a national key cultural relic protection unit. In December 2000, Hongcun was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the ancient villages in southern Anhui; in May 2011, it was awarded the title of "National 5A-level Tourist Attraction" by the National Tourism Administration. There are 137 ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties in Hongcun, including 3 ancestral halls and 124 well-preserved ancient residential houses. Buildings such as Chengzhi Hall and South Lake Academy have extremely high historical and artistic values, and it is known as the "Village in Chinese Painting".
History and Culture
Hongcun was first built in the first year of Shaoxing in the Southern Song Dynasty (1131), with a history of nearly 900 years. During the Southern Song Dynasty, Wang Yanjji, the ancestor of Hongcun, fled from Qishu Village in Yixian County due to a fire. His family moved upstream along the river and built houses around Leigang Mountain, gradually forming a village. During the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, Wang Siqi, the 76th generation ancestor of Hongcun, invited He Keda, a feng shui master from Haiyang County (now Xiuning County), three times to survey and plan the village. They diverted the Xixi River into the village, dug canals, and built the Moon Pond, forming the initial village water system.
The planning and construction of Hongcun were deeply influenced by Huizhou culture and feng shui theory. The entire village layout resembles a recumbent ox. Leigang Mountain is the ox's head, the two ancient trees at the village entrance are the ox's horns, the row upon row of residential houses in the village are the ox's body, the Moon Pond is the ox's stomach, the South Lake is the ox's belly, the winding water canals are the ox's intestines, and the four ancient bridges are the ox's legs, forming a complete ox-shaped village pattern. This "bionics" village planning is a model of traditional Chinese village construction.
Hongcun has a profound cultural heritage and possesses many intangible cultural heritages such as Huizhou architecture and the traditional Huizhou residential building craftsmanship. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, after the Wang clan in Hongcun became wealthy through business, they returned to their hometown to build residences, ancestral halls, and academies, forming a large-scale ancient building complex, reflecting the cultural pursuit of Huizhou merchants who "valued both business and scholarship".
Main Attractions
South Lake
Located at the southern end of Hongcun, it was dug in the 35th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1607), covering an area of about 2 hectares. The lake is in a half-moon shape. The lake embankment divides the South Lake into upper and lower lakes. There are six stone bridges on the embankment, known as the "Six Bridges", modeled after the Su Causeway in West Lake, Hangzhou. Ancient trees tower around the South Lake, and the lake view and mountain scenery complement each other. It is one of the most beautiful scenic spots in Hongcun and a base for many art students to sketch.
Moon Pond
Located in the center of Hongcun, it was dug during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, covering an area of about 1,300 square meters. The Moon Pond is a half-moon-shaped pond, symbolizing the idea of "full moon leads to decline", which conforms to the traditional Chinese cultural concept of the "Doctrine of the Mean". Ancient buildings are densely arranged around the pond, and the white walls and black tiles are reflected in the water, like a static Chinese ink painting. The buildings around the Moon Pond are mostly ancestral halls and important residential houses, making it the core area of Hongcun.
Chengzhi Hall
Located in the middle section of Hongcun, it was built in the fifth year of the Xianfeng reign of the Qing Dynasty (1855). It is the largest and most ornately decorated residential house in Hongcun. The entire building covers an area of 2,100 square meters, with a construction area of more than 3,000 square meters. It has 9 courtyards, 7 floors, and 60 rooms. The woodcarving, stone carving, and brick carving techniques in Chengzhi Hall are exquisite. In particular, the woodcarving of "Tang Suzong's Banquet for Guests" on the front hall beam features vivid figures and is one of the representative works of Huizhou woodcarving.
South Lake Academy
Located beside the South Lake, it was built in the 19th year of the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty (1814). It is a private school funded by the Wang clan in Hongcun. The academy consists of buildings such as Zhidao Hall, Wenchang Pavilion, Huiwen Pavilion, Enlightenment Pavilion, and Wanghu Tower, covering an area of about 6,000 square meters. The academy has a quiet environment, facing the South Lake in the front and relying on Leigang Mountain in the back. It is an ideal place for studying. Many descendants of Hongcun once studied here, and some of them achieved success in the imperial examinations or became wealthy merchants.
Wang's Ancestral Hall
Also known as "Lexu Hall", it is located on the north side of the Moon Pond in Hongcun. It was built during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty and is a place for the Wang clan in Hongcun to worship their ancestors. The ancestral hall covers an area of about 2,000 square meters, with a construction area of 1,300 square meters. It consists of a gateway, a courtyard, a patio, and the main hall of the ancestral hall. The main hall is spacious and bright, housing the memorial tablets of the Wang clan's ancestors. The beams and columns in the hall are thick and the carvings are exquisite, reflecting the architectural style of Huizhou ancestral halls.
Shuren Hall
Located in the middle of Hongcun, it was built in the first year of the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1862). It is the residence of Wang Xingju, a wealthy merchant in Hongcun. The entire building covers an area of about 800 square meters, with a construction area of more than 1,000 square meters. It has 4 courtyards and 26 rooms. The woodcarving, stone carving, and brick carving decorations in Shuren Hall are exquisite. In particular, the woodcarving of the "Hundred Sons Diagram" inside symbolizes many children and blessings, and is a fine example of Huizhou woodcarving.
Jingxiu Hall
Located on the west side of the Moon Pond in Hongcun, it was built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. It is one of the well-preserved ancient residential houses in Hongcun. The building covers an area of about 600 square meters, with a construction area of more than 800 square meters. It has 2 courtyards and 16 rooms. The brick carving on the gateway of Jingxiu Hall is exquisite, and the interior furnishings are simple and elegant, reflecting the cultural concept of Huizhou merchants who "cultivated themselves and managed their families".
Deyi Hall
Located in the northwest of Hongcun, it was built during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty. It is a typical Huizhou-style private garden residential house. The building covers an area of about 400 square meters, with a construction area of more than 500 square meters. It has 2 courtyards and 12 rooms. The courtyard layout of Deyi Hall is delicate, with a pond, rockeries, and flowers and trees inside. The environment is quiet and secluded. It is one of the few ancient residential houses in Hongcun with garden scenery.
Jicun Street
Located on the north side of Hongcun, it is a commercial street in Hongcun. There are many shops, inns, and restaurants on both sides of the street. Jicun Street retains the traditional Huizhou architectural style, with winding bluestone roads. It is a good place for tourists to experience the local customs and traditions of Hongcun.
Local Cuisine
Stinky Mandarin Fish
A traditional Huizhou dish, fresh mandarin fish is selected and pickled with a special process, then fried and cooked. Stinky Mandarin Fish smells peculiarly pungent but tastes tender and delicious. It is one of the representative dishes of Huizhou cuisine. Most restaurants around Hongcun offer this delicacy.
Hairy Tofu
A specialty snack in Hongcun, tofu is cut into small pieces and fermented until a layer of white fluff grows on the surface, hence the name "Hairy Tofu". It can be fried, deep-fried, or cooked. It has a tender texture and a unique flavor, rich in various amino acids and proteins, with high nutritional value.
Eggs Scrambled with Wujiapi
A traditional dish in Hongcun, stir-fried with young leaves of Wujiapi (a Chinese herbal medicine) and eggs. Wujiapi has the effects of dispelling wind and dampness, tonifying the liver and kidneys, and strengthening the muscles and bones. Stir-fried with eggs, it has a fresh and fragrant taste and is nutritious.
Hongcun Sesame Cake
Also known as "Crab Shell Yellow", it is a traditional pastry in Hongcun. Made from flour, sesame seeds, lard, preserved vegetables, etc., and baked, it resembles a crab shell in shape, with a golden color, crispy texture, and savory flavor. It is one of the characteristic tourist commodities in Hongcun.
Huizhou Knife Board Fragrance
A traditional cured meat product in Huizhou, fresh streaky pork is selected, cured, sun-dried, and steamed. Knife Board Fragrance has a salty and fragrant taste, fatty but not greasy. It can be sliced and eaten directly or cooked with vegetables, tofu, etc. It is a common ingredient in Huizhou cuisine.
Stone Ear Stewed Chicken
A nourishing dish in Hongcun, stewed with stone ear (a fungus growing on cliffs) and free-range chicken. Stone ear is rich in various minerals and vitamins, with the effects of nourishing yin and moistening the lungs, clearing heat and detoxifying. Stewed with chicken, it tastes delicious and is nutritious.
Huizhou Fangla Fish
A traditional Huizhou dish, made from mandarin fish and pork, fried and cooked. Fangla Fish is beautifully shaped, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a delicious taste. It is said to be related to the Fangla Uprising in the Song Dynasty and is one of the characteristic dishes in restaurants around Hongcun.
Huizhou Kudzu Powder Balls
A specialty snack in Hongcun, made from kudzu powder, pork, mushrooms, winter bamboo shoots, etc. Kudzu Powder Balls have a soft and glutinous texture, delicious taste, and the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, strengthening the spleen and stomach. It is a traditional health food in Hongcun.
Tickets
The ticket price is 94 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "宏村动态" to get the latest information or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
Normally, it is open from 7:30 to 17:30, and the night tour is from 18:30 to 21:00 (some attractions are not open during the night tour). The opening hours may be adjusted due to seasons, weather, and other factors.
Tour Route
After entering the scenic area, tourists can start their tour from the South Lake, admiring the lake view and mountain scenery and the ancient buildings of the South Lake Academy. Then go to the Moon Pond to visit the Wang's Ancestral Hall and the ancient residential houses around the Moon Pond to feel the core cultural atmosphere of Hongcun. Next, visit Chengzhi Hall to appreciate the exquisite woodcarving, stone carving, and brick carving of Huizhou architecture. After that, you can go to Shuren Hall, Jingxiu Hall, and other ancient residential houses to learn about the residential culture of Hongcun. Finally, go to Jicun Street to taste the local specialties of Hongcun and buy tourist souvenirs. It is recommended to arrange 3-5 hours for the whole tour. If you want to deeply experience the night view and folk culture of Hongcun, you can choose to stay in Hongcun for one night and participate in the night tour activities.
Transportation
- By Air: First arrive at Huangshan Tunxi International Airport, which is about 80 kilometers away from Hongcun. You can take a shuttle bus to Yixian County at the airport and then transfer to a bus to Hongcun. The journey takes about 1.5 hours. You can also take a taxi directly from the airport to Hongcun, which costs about 200 yuan.
- By Train: Take the train to Huangshan Station or Huangshan North Station. Huangshan Station is about 70 kilometers away from Hongcun. You can transfer to a bus to Yixian County and then transfer to a bus to Hongcun. The journey takes about 1.5 hours. Huangshan North Station is about 60 kilometers away from Hongcun. You can also transfer to a bus to Yixian County and then transfer to Hongcun.
- By Self-driving: Start from Huangshan City and drive along the G56 Hangrui Expressway to the Yixian Exit, then follow the navigation to Hongcun. The whole journey is about 60 kilometers and takes about 1 hour. If you are coming from other cities, you can first navigate to Yixian County and then go to Hongcun. There is a parking lot in Hongcun Scenic Area, and the parking fee is about 15 yuan per day.
- By Bus: There are several bus stations in Huangshan City with buses to Hongcun. Among them, there are about 10 buses from Huangshan Passenger Transport Terminal to Hongcun every day. The journey takes about 1.5 hours, and the ticket price is about 25 yuan.
Must-visit Attractions
- South Lake: One of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Hongcun, with a half-moon-shaped lake and picturesque scenery. It is an excellent place for sketching and photography.
- Moon Pond: The core area of Hongcun, where the half-moon-shaped pond reflects the white walls and black tiles, making it one of the most representative landscapes in Hongcun.
- Chengzhi Hall: The largest and most ornately decorated residential house in Hongcun, with exquisite woodcarving, stone carving, and brick carving techniques that are breathtaking.
- South Lake Academy: The private school in Hongcun, with a quiet environment and ancient buildings. It is an important place to understand the educational culture of the Huizhou region.
Tour Tips
- Learn about Huizhou architecture and the historical and cultural knowledge of Hongcun in advance to better appreciate the architectural and cultural landscapes of the scenic area.
- Choose to visit on weekdays or during the off-season to avoid tourist crowds and enjoy a more leisurely tour of the ancient village and experience its peaceful atmosphere.
- Hire a local guide to gain in-depth insights into the stories and cultural connotations behind each attraction.
- Wear comfortable shoes as the roads in Hongcun are mostly paved with bluestone, and you need to walk a lot during the tour.
- If time permits, it is recommended to stay in Hongcun for one night to experience the unique atmosphere of the ancient village in the early morning and at night. You can also participate in the night tour activities.
- Hongcun is a paradise for art sketching. If you are interested in painting, you can bring your painting tools and sketch around the South Lake and Moon Pond.
Notes
- Most of the ancient buildings in the scenic area have a long history. Please do not touch, climb, or damage them to avoid irreparable losses.
- Respect local customs and religious beliefs. Do not make loud noises or act inappropriately in places such as ancestral halls.
- When buying souvenirs and specialty snacks, pay attention to the quality and price to avoid being overcharged.
- Pay attention to environmental protection. Do not litter and keep the ancient village clean and beautiful.
- Follow the instructions of the scenic area staff during the tour and abide by the regulations of the scenic area. Do not enter unopened areas without permission.
- The roads in Hongcun Scenic Area are narrow, and the pedestrian flow is heavy during the tourist peak season. Please pay attention to safety and take good care of the elderly and children.
- When visiting in summer, pay attention to sun protection and heat prevention. Since there are many trees around Hongcun, you can also bring mosquito repellent.