Hongcun

Hongcun

Hongcun is a patriotic education base and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hongcun, located in the northeastern part of Yi County at the southern foot of Huangshan Mountain, is an ancient village with a unique ox-shaped water system nestled in the picturesque Peach Blossom Spring of ancient Yi. It is hailed as the "Village in a Chinese Painting." During the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty, the villagers of Hongcun pioneered biomimicry by creating an artificial water system village that is considered a "unique wonder of China." The entire village resembles a leisurely water buffalo resting peacefully amidst green mountains and clear waters.

The village currently preserves over 140 well-maintained ancient residences from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The architectural complex not only boasts a beautiful environment, rational layout, and elegant design, but also integrates seamlessly with nature, creating a living environment that is both scientifically sound and full of charm. It stands as one of the outstanding representatives of traditional Chinese dwellings. The three carving arts (stone, wood, and brick) in the buildings are breathtaking, with carving techniques as delicate and fluid as northern paper-cutting. The use of scale, density, and texture contrast is masterfully executed. Notable attractions include: Spring Dawn at South Lake, Recitation at the Academy, Lotus in Moon Pond, Ox Intestine Water Channels, Twin Streams Reflecting Azure, Ancient Trees in Front of the Pavilion, and Sunset at Thunder Peak.

The overall layout of Hongcun resembles the shape of an ox, hence it is often referred to as the "Ox-Shaped Village." The towering Leigang Mountain serves as the "ox head," the lush ancient trees as the "ox horns," the densely arranged houses as the "ox body," the shimmering Moon Pond and South Lake as the "ox stomach" and "ox intestines," the winding water channels that run through the village as the "ox intestines," and the four ancient bridges at the village edge as the "ox hooves." Hongcun looks like a reclining ox nestled among green mountains and endless rice fields.

Many exquisitely carved and uniquely designed ancient residences from the Ming and Qing dynasties, such as the Chengzhi Hall, remain well-preserved. The village harmoniously blends lake and mountain views with layered buildings and courtyards, combining natural and cultural landscapes. The surrounding mountain scenery and white-walled, black-tiled houses are reflected in the lakes, resembling a slowly unfolding painting. Hongcun is a must-visit destination for uncovering the rise and fall of Huizhou merchants over centuries. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000 and designated as a National 5A-level Tourist Attraction in 2011.

Hongcun Town: Located at the southern foot of Huangshan Mountain, Hongcun Town is just 29 kilometers from the southern gate of Huangshan Scenic Area and 60 kilometers from Huangshan Airport, offering very convenient transportation. The town administers 21 villages and 142 villager groups, covering an area of 187.1 square kilometers, with a permanent population of over 20,000 and a floating population of 5,000. The area features overlapping mountains, dense forests and bamboo, meandering streams, and pleasant scenery. It has 14,318 hectares of forest, with a coverage rate of 77%, and is recognized as an Environmentally Beautiful Town of Huangshan, an Ecological Civilization Town of Huangshan, and an Environmental Education Base of Anhui Province.

The area is dotted with numerous... More details about Hongcun Town++