Hongcun Ancient Village - World Heritage Site in Anhui
Type: World Heritage Site, Historic Sites, Ancient Villages
Best Seasons: March and April / Late October to Early November
Recommended Visiting Hours: about half day
Popular Activities: hiking, photography, enjoy hot springs
Open Hours: 07:30am~17:30pm
Tickets: 104 Yuan per person, valid for 3 days
Address: Northwest Corner, Yi County, Huangshan City 245500, Anhui Province(about 65 km from Huangshan Tunxi downtown area, and 37 km from Mt. Huangshan Scenic Area. It is about 10 km from Xidi Ancient Village)
Overview of Hongcun Ancient Village
Hongcun Ancient Village can date back to the southern Song Dynasty with a history of 900 years. In 1131, it was home to members of the Wang clan with 13 traditional houses at the beginning. It flourished during the Ming (A.D. 1368 - 1644) and Qing (A.D. 1644 - 1911) dynasties when it became a trade center. Most of the buildings, like South Lake Academy, Lexu Hall, Chengzhi Hall, Sanli Hall, Shuren Hall from this period still exit in this village today.
Many of the buildings in Hongcun can date back to the Song Dynasty (A.D. 960 - 1279) and is regarded as the best example of typical Hui-style architecture. Called “the ancient village in Chinese paintings”, Hongcun is so quiet, peaceful and beautiful which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, together with Xidi.
After Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was filmed in Hongcun, more and more people get to know this ancient village. Many travelers choose to visit this beautiful village before or after the Mt. Huangshan trip.
Highlights in Hongcun Ancient Village
The moment you arrive in Hongcun, you will enjoy the charming landscape stretching before your eyes: morning mists, gray tilts, white walls, stone bridges, water lily ponds and verdant hills in the background. It is the real Chinese painting unfolding before you. Exploring this ancient village, you are recommended to see the South Lake, Moon Pond, Chengzhi Hall, South Lake Academy, Deyi Hall, Shuren Hall, Chengde Hall, Jingxiu Hall and Bi Garden, etc.
South Lake (南湖)
Located in the south of Hongcun, South Lake was built in the Ming Dynasty in 1607. Taking West Lake in Hangzhou as its example, South Lake is in the shape of an arch and the lake embankment is divided into two layers. Willow weeping, birds singing, duck playing, water lily blooming…It is very relaxing to spend some time in this area. Hence, it is called the “Little West Lake” at the foot of Yellow Mountain. South Lake Academy enjoys a delicious setting on the tranquil South Lake.
Chengzhi Hall (承志堂)
Chengzhi Hall is the best-preserved old building in Yixian County and earns a reputation as the “Folk Forbidden City”. Built in 1855, it was the residence of Wang Dinggui, a wealthy salt merchant in the Qing dynasty. The whole building is in wooden structure. Wooden beams and wall panels are decorated with intricate carvings of different themes, such as natural scenery, Chinese mythology or ordinary life scenes from the Qing dynasty. Many of them are gilded in gold.
Crescent-Shaped Moon Pond (月沼)
Located in the heart of Hongcun, the crescent-shaped Moon Pond is the Ox’s stomach. It was built during the Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1368 - 1644). The Moon Pond is green all year around, like a bright mirror. During the visit here, travelers can always find senior people sitting leisurely to chat with each other, ladies doing some washing by the lake, and kids playing around… What a happy and peaceful scene!
Get to/away Hongcun Ancient Village
Travelers can use our private service (including private car and private tour guide) to transfer to Hongcun Ancient Village, as well as Xidi Ancient Village for one-day trip. If you are independent travelers, you can visit Hongcun by bus or taxi. The bus schedule below is for yuor reference.
1，From Huangshan downtown area to Hongcun: Sightseeing buses are available in Huangshan Bus Station. Buses run at 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 13:00, 14:00 and 16:00 from Huangshan to Hongcun.
2，From Tangkou (Mt. Huangshan) to Hongcun: There is a bus station located in Mount Huangshan Front Gate. Buses are available from Tangkou to Yixian at 07:20, 09:40, and 13:40.
3，From Xidi to Hongcun: buses from Huangshan downtown area will pass Xidi to Hongcun, travelers should wait for the bus at Xidi. Or, travelers can take local bus to Yixian County and then take bus to Hongcun village.
Recommended Visiting Route
It takes 3 or 4 hours to visit Hongcun Ancient Village. Travelers can follow this route to travel: Entrance – Two Old Trees - South Lake – South Lake Academy – Jingde Hall – Wang Dade’s Former Residence – Wuben Hall – Moon Pond – Lexu Hall – Jingxiu Hall – Chengzhi Hall – Deyi Hall – Taoyuan Hall – Entrance – Get Departure.
