Xiong Village Scenic Area

Xiong Village Scenic Area

Xiong Village Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Xiong Village belongs to She County, a nationally recognized historical and cultural city. It is an ancient village known for its strong educational heritage and talented individuals. The scenic area is situated on the outskirts of She County, Anhui Province, 50 kilometers from Huangshan Mountain. It is honored as “the premier island of Xin’an and the most magnificent village in Huizhou.” Originally named Hong Village, during the late Yuan Dynasty, the Cao family settled here and changed its name to Xiong Village, inspired by the line “branches spread out, flourishing everywhere” from the Cao Quan Stele. This renaming dates back more than 800 years. Surrounded by green mountains, shaded by bamboo, and graced by the crystal-clear Xin’an River flowing nearby, Xiong Village is a place of exceptional natural charm and...

Among the over 5,000 ancient villages in Huizhou, Xiong Village in Huangshan stands out as the most culturally rich and historically significant, earning its title as “the most magnificent village in Huizhou.”

Xiong Village in Huangshan is embraced by green mountains, shaded by bamboo forests, and graced by the clear Xin’an River flowing nearby. It is a blessed land of outstanding natural beauty and picturesque scenery.

Xiong Village in Huangshan boasts numerous historic sites and profound cultural heritage. Relics such as the “Four Generations of First-Rank Officials,” Zhushan Academy, Ciguang Nunnery, the former site of the Sino-American Cooperative Organization, and the Xiaonanhai Xingyan Temple embody the essence of Huizhou culture and encompass the core philosophies of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.

Zhushan Academy

The Peach Blossom Dam, Osmanthus Hall, Octagonal Pavilion, and Zhushan Academy in Xiong Village complement each other beautifully, forming a spectacular sight. Since the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era, this has been one of the great scenic highlights of ancient She County, attracting many literati and refined scholars.

These structures were built around the year 1756 during the 20th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign by brothers Ganping and Qing, uncles and fathers of Cao Wenzhi, who was the Minister of Revenue. In the early Qing Dynasty, the Cao family were salt merchants, and by the time of Cao Jinyi, they had become immensely wealthy. Before his death, Cao Jinyi instructed his two sons, Ganping and Qing, to build a literary pavilion by the Bamboo Stream, establish an academy, renovate the community shrine, and construct a garden courtyard. The sons followed their father’s wishes, beginning preparations in the early Qianlong period and completing the project after more than a decade.

The stone drums on either side of Zhushan Academy and the prominently displayed plaque reading “Zhushan Academy” above the main gate are highly eye-catching. At the entrance, a wooden screen is erected, and the corridors are lined with square stone pillars. The main hall is grand and spacious. On the central wall hangs a gold-lettered couplet on a blue background. The upper line reads, “The bamboo, knowing its own hollowness, teaches us that learning reveals our shortcomings,” and the lower line reads, “The mountain, built basket by basket, shows that success requires perseverance.” This couplet was composed by Cao Wenzhi.

The Osmanthus Hall is located at the eastern end of the Peach Blossom Dam, connected to Zhushan Academy. The garden is planted with dozens of osmanthus trees, including varieties such as Monthly Osmanthus and August Osmanthus. The hall is named “Qingkuangxuan” (Clear and Spacious Pavilion). On the central wall of the pavilion is the essay “What I Have Gained Is Clarity and Spaciousness,” written by Cao Xueshi. The pillars of the pavilion are adorned with matching official script couplets: “Soaring like cranes over the sandy shore, and blending with the mountains beyond the clouds.” The plaque above the pavilion is inscribed in seal script with the words “What I Have Gained Is Clarity and Spaciousness.” In front of the hall is a platform, whose pillars are decorated with stone carvings on three sides. There are sixteen railing pillars, each topped with a small, uniquely carved green stone lion.

On the corridor wall between the Osmanthus Hall and Zhushan Academy, there is a large piece of dark green stone slab engraved with three characters, “Mountain Heaven,” each character measuring about 1.5 feet. Written in Yan Zhenqing’s calligraphy style, the bold and vigorous strokes are captivating.

To the west of the Osmanthus Garden stands an octagonal pavilion, officially named “Lingyun Pavilion” and also called “Wenchang Pavilion.” This pavilion is tall and majestic, with an eight-sided stone base over six feet high. The pavilion has two levels, each with eight sides, and a tin roof. The base resembles a lotus petal canopy, and the top features windproof cones secured by eight iron chains tied between the four corners. The corners are upturned like bird wings, with small wind bells hanging from them. The tips of the corners are adorned with ceramic ao fish. Auspicious beasts are placed along the ridges. The upper level of the pavilion has windows on all eight sides. Outside the front window hangs a ceramic plaque with brown background and black characters reading “Overlooking All Under Heaven,” handwritten by Cao Wenzhi. The lower level has stone pillars in the front, between which hangs a plaque with a blue background and gold characters reading “Piercing the Sun and Soaring the Clouds.” A matching couplet is suspended from the stone pillars: the upper line reads, “Upholding the bonds of monarch and ministers, friends, with hearts as steadfast as the sun and moon,” and the lower line reads, “Manifesting the fruits of sages, worthies, and heroes, with the Way embodied in the Spring and Autumn Annals.”

The Peach Blossom Dam, Osmanthus Hall, Octagonal Pavilion, and Zhushan Academy form a unified complex by the Xin’an River, creating an enchanting scene. When the osmanthus blossoms, visitors can climb the pavilion to gaze into the distance. A gentle breeze brings the subtle fragrance of flowers, while the tinkling of wind bells fills the air. Lush mountains layer in the distance, and sailboats dot the nearby water. Being here feels like entering a heavenly realm.

Xiaonanhai

South of She County, below Censhan Ferry in the Jian River, there is a solitary island surrounded by water on all sides. Known as Censhan or Little Jiaoshan, this is the famous Xiaonanhai.

Xiaonanhai features rugged rocks and towering ancient trees. On the south bank, the Zhalin Village and the north bank’s Hangbutou Village face each other across the island, creating picturesque scenery. Today, the buildings on the island have all disappeared.

In the past, when visitors took a boat to the island, they would climb along a zigzag stone path up the mountain, pulling themselves up with iron chains. Along the path, and on the mountainside, there used to be evergreen ancient trees that provided dense shade year-round. Passing through a pavilion with swaying bamboo shadows, one would encounter the Lingguan Hall. Further up is the Xingyan Temple. According to records, the temple was built in the 8th year of Tianyou during the late Tang Dynasty (911 AD), originally named Zhouliu Temple, meaning “flowing all around.” During the Yuan Dynasty, the recluse scholar Zheng Yu lived here, studying in seclusion, and renamed it Reading Tower. In the 8th year of the Kangxi reign during the early Qing Dynasty (1669 AD), the temple was rebuilt. It was later renamed to its current name after the Cheng family from the southern shore obtained the imperial inscription “Xingyan Temple” from Emperor Kangxi, who also wrote a ten-character couplet for the pillars.

The original layout of the temple was roughly designed according to the shape of the island, forming a rectangular plane with six connected rooms. It included architectural decorations such as courtyards, corridors, skywells, flower windows, hanging railings, and flower stands. In front of the temple was a flat stone-paved area surrounded by stone railings, with a stone table and benches in the center. Behind the temple was a pine forest, adding to the solemnity of the ancient temple. Passing through the Guanyin Hall led to a reception room inside the temple. This building was mostly cantilevered over a cliff, with a sheer drop below, creating a dramatically perilous scene. Leaning on the railing from the reception room and looking down, one could see boats passing through the shimmering water through gaps in the leaves—an enchanting view.

The beauty of Xiaonanhai has been praised by literati throughout the dynasties, including Zheng Yu, Cheng Minzheng, Long Ying, and Wang Yin, who all wrote poems about it.

Peach Blossom Dam

The Peach Blossom Dam is a tall stone embankment built along the Xin’an River, resembling a battlement. The dam is covered with peach trees of dozens of varieties, interspersed with Bauhinia, creating a magnificent sight. As recorded in the poetry collection of Cao Wenzhi from the Qing Dynasty: “There are hundreds of peach trees by the Bamboo Stream, which bloom in a riot of colors in spring, making it a perfect spot for leisurely viewing…” Legend has it that the Qing Dynasty poet Yuan Mei once admired the peach blossoms on the dam with Cao Xueshi, a scholar who passed the imperial examination in the Wu Chen year. The Peach Blossom Dam served as the Cao family’s riverside park. From the dam, one can gaze at the rippling waters of the Jian River winding away, with crystal-clear water and visible fish. Lush mountains and bamboo forests stretch across the opposite bank. Occasionally, a few small boats dot the river surface, and the sound of woodcutters’ songs echoes through the hills, creating a poetic scene reminiscent of “the river as a green silk ribbon, the mountains as jade hairpins.” In the past, the Cao family of Xiong Village planted peach trees along the ten-mile-long embankment, not only to prevent soil erosion but also to create a unique landscape.

Dazhongcheng Archway and Four Generations of First-Rank Officials Archway

Less than a hundred meters from Zhushan Academy, in front of the current Xiong Village Township Government office, stands a grand stone archway with three bays and three stories, and four soaring pillars. This is the “Dazhongcheng Archway,” also known as the “Guangfen Liejue Archway.” Built in the 27th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1762), it was constructed three years after Cao Wenzhi achieved the honor of being named among the top imperial examinees. The archway lists the names of all the Jinshi (advanced scholars) and Juren (recommended scholars) from the Cao family, starting with Cao Xiang, the first Jinshi of the Ming Chenghua era, to Cao Wenzhi, who had just passed the imperial examination. It was a collective recognition of the family’s scholarly achievements.

In comparison, the “Four Generations of First-Rank Officials” Archway, standing in front of the ancestral hall of the Cao family at the village entrance, is even more imposing. It was built specifically to honor Cao Wenzhi. However, the “Four Generations of First-Rank Officials” title of the Cao family is somewhat exaggerated. None of Cao Wenzhi’s ancestors were ever first-rank officials, as they were all salt merchants. But firstly, Cao Wenzhi enjoyed the favor of Emperor Qianlong, and secondly, the emperor’s six southern inspection tours were all sponsored by Huizhou merchants. Pleased with this, the emperor elevated Cao Wenzhi’s father, grandfather, and great-grandfather to the honorary rank of first-rank officials. Thus, this rare “Four Generations of First-Rank Officials” merit archway was rightfully established, becoming the pinnacle of the Cao family’s achievements. The exact year of its construction is unclear, but it was definitely built before Cao Zhenyong attained the rank of first-rank official; otherwise, it would have been called the “Five Generations of First-Rank Officials” Archway.

Remnants of the Sino-American Cooperative Organization

The Sino-American Cooperative Organization, officially known as the Sino-American Special Technical Cooperative Organization, was a training facility for special agents jointly established in 1942 by the Military Statistics Bureau (Military Intelligence Bureau) of the Nationalist Government and the Office of Naval Intelligence of the United States Navy. The Xiong Village branch was the earliest such cooperative organization in China.

Ciguang Nunnery

Across the river from Zhushan Academy stands "Ciguang Nunnery," built by Cao Zhenyong for his sister. Legend has it that in his youth, Cao Zhenyong was not diligent in his studies. His sister earnestly admonished and encouraged him, saying, "If you ever rise to a higher official rank than our father, I will become a nun." In response, Cao Zhenyong built the "Ciguang Nunnery" on the hillside where "no view spans a thousand miles across the river, but the majestic village comes into sight with a single upward glance." Today, the nunnery's windows are bright and clean, and the surroundings are serene and tranquil.

Former Residence of Wang Maoyin

Located in Yicheng Village. Wang Maoyin’s ancestral home was in Qizili Village, but it was destroyed during the Taiping Rebellion. After retiring from office, he purchased this house in Yicheng Village and settled there. The residence is situated in the center of the village. The main building has three bays, and the hall is named "Dunren Hall," with a plaque inscribed by Li Hongzhang. On the right side are three-story residential rooms, built in the mid-Qing Dynasty. The main gate is located on the left corridor, and behind the central hall is a reverse hall, with courtyards both in the front and back. The partition screens and doors have been modified in the Beijing style, featuring larger lattice patterns inlaid with colored glass. Beneath the floorboards of the central hall is a bamboo-woven mat with a swastika pattern.

Birthplace of Huizhou-Style Bonsai

Maihua Fish Village, now known as Hongling Village in Xiong Village Township, is the birthplace of Huizhou-style bonsai. The village is named "Maihua Fish Village" (literally "Flower-Selling Fish Village") because its shape resembles a fish and its residents have been growing and selling flowers for generations. Historical records indicate that in the sixth year of the Qianfu era of Emperor Xizong of Tang (879 AD), a man named Hong Bixin had already "built several small buildings and planted plum trees in front," marking a history of flower cultivation spanning over a thousand years. As you step into the fishing village, you feel as if you’ve entered a vast garden. On the hillsides, in courtyards, and at the edges of houses, there are bonsai tree stumps in all kinds of poses, dotted with red blossoms and patches of green. There are plum stumps that resemble descending dragons, nandinas with uniquely shaped trunks resembling animals, ancient and rustic pines and cypresses that grow stronger with age, camellias that are lush and green with various floral hues, crape myrtles that are elegant and exquisitely refined, pomegranates and azaleas with vibrant reds and greens full of vitality, and osmanthus trees that fill the air with their rich fragrance. It’s truly a scene of flourishing blossoms in an endless array of colors throughout the seasons. The captivating charm, enduring elegance, and gorgeous scenery of Huizhou-style bonsai captivate viewers, making them pause in admiration and linger without wanting to leave.