Ziyuan Scenic Area

Ziyuan Scenic Area

Ziyuan Scenic Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Jixi Ziyuan is located in Shangmashi Village, east of Jixi County, Anhui Province. It is 1.8 kilometers from the county town and lies on the mandatory route to Longchuan Scenic Area. Jixi Ziyuan encapsulates various styles of Huizhou-style residential architecture and was created by Jixi Ziyuan Ancient Residential Tourism Development Co., Ltd. Covering an area of over 10,000 square meters, Jixi Ziyuan is a tourist destination integrating sightseeing, accommodation, dining, conferences, and leisure, as well as a registered agritainment operator in Jixi.

Anhui Ziyuan encapsulates the various styles of Huizhou-style residential architecture, bringing together the essence of Ming and Qing dynasty civilian houses within one garden. It is a complex of garden-style buildings. Surrounded by mountains on all sides with a pool of clear water, the garden features pines and maples on the hills and densely packed houses at the foot. The entire garden consists of the Five Phoenix Tower, Daiyun Pavilion, Huancai Bridge, Gourd Pond, Songfeng Hall, Gaoyun Hall, and Guige, incorporating elements of Huizhou architecture such as pavilions, towers, residences, and ancestral halls.

A team from the Anhui Provincial Tourism Administration’s National A-level Scenic Spot Inspection Group conducted an acceptance inspection of Jixi County’s Ziyuan Tourist Area for its bid to become a National 3A-level tourist attraction. After the inspection, the provincial team concluded that Ziyuan Scenic Area is located on the Hualong Ecological Avenue, close to the county town, offering significant accessibility advantages. As a Huizhou ancient residential tourism site, it showcases a typical Jiangnan style—delicate and elegant, with small bridges, flowing water, quaint charm, and classic old-world aesthetics, highlighting the architectural style of ancient Huizhou. It possesses deep cultural roots and great development potential. The inspection team advised that the scenic area’s development should be forward-looking, with efforts to restore and enrich the original furnishings of Huizhou ancient homes, and to use text, images, and precise, vivid tour guide scripts to explain the historical origins and profound cultural significance of the residences. The focus should be on people-oriented design, with attention to heritage protection and environmental harmony. Bilingual signage and explanatory plaques should be accurate, insightful, and professional—no detail should be overlooked to ensure visitors gain enriching experiences. Additionally, the area’s functional facilities should be enhanced to boost tourist retention.

In recent years, Ziyuan has attracted numerous film and television production crews with its distinctive ancient Huizhou style. Movies such as "Huizhou Woman" and TV dramas like "Twin Phoenix Mansion" were filmed here. Dozens of renowned actors, including Gua Yahui, Ding Haifeng, Li Fazeng, Cheng Qian, Hou Changrong, and Wang Qianhua, have visited the site. One of the most iconic moments was the large round table where Gua Yahui (playing the matriarch) dined in the official hall during the filming of "Huizhou Woman," which has since become a highly sought-after dining spot for guests.