Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui – Xidi and Hongcun
Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui
Hui-style Architecture: Famous for white walls, dark grey basalt roof tiles, and "horse-head walls" (firewalls) that create a high-contrast, ink-painting aesthetic.
Hongcun’s Water System: A sophisticated, ox-shaped water system that flows through every household, culminating in the serene Moon Pond and South Lake.
Exquisite Carvings: Detailed wood, stone, and brick carvings depicting folk tales and geometric patterns, showcasing the wealth of the Anhui merchants.
"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" Backdrop: Hongcun gained international fame as a primary filming location for this Oscar-winning film.
These two traditional villages preserve to a remarkable extent the appearance of non-urban settlements that disappeared or were transformed in the last century. Their street plan, architecture, and decoration, as well as the integration of houses with comprehensive water systems, are unique survivors of the "Hui-style" architecture and feudal merchant culture.
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