Escape the city with the kids! The free ancient village Xixinan in Huizhou is so great to explore

Want to escape the city noise with the kids this weekend without spending too much? You must visit Xixinan! I used to always go to Hongcun, but this time I went to Xixinan and was completely amazed~
This poetic village hidden deep in Huizhou holds the most original Huizhou romance. The ancient village rests by the Fengle River, with maple poplar forests and ancient buildings full of charm. Bringing kids here is so healing~

📍Address: Xixinan Village, Huizhou District, Huangshan, Anhui
🚄Transportation: Taking the high-speed train to "Huangshan North Station" is super convenient, then a 15-minute taxi ride. If you don’t want to take a taxi with kids, you can transfer to bus route 17 to "Xixinan Station," which is also very hassle-free.
🎫Tickets: Free to enter! Great value for a family outing with kids.

✅Family-friendly sightseeing route
Pingban Bridge (super comfortable for walking with kids) → Screen Wall (experience the charm of Huizhou ancient village) → Stone Pedestal (a happy little world for kids) → Bench Bridge (perfect for family photos) → Ancient Ginkgo Tree (check in at the thousand-year-old tree) → Yinglong Lane → Old House Pavilion and Green Loop Pavilion (must-visit cultural spots) → Guobin Lane → Fengnan Market (pick small gifts for the kids)

✅Must-visit kid-friendly spots
1️⃣ Thousand-year-old Maple Poplar Forest
I was really moved by the beauty of this maple poplar forest! It’s a rare original maple poplar forest in East China. It’s especially cool in summer with dense shade and swaying shadows, creating a dreamy light. Walking with kids inside feels like entering the fairy tale "The Wizard of Oz." Kids can pick leaves and chase birds under the trees, super happy~
2️⃣ Old House Pavilion and Green Loop Pavilion
Be sure to take a close look when bringing kids! The ancient houses from the Ming and Qing dynasties are very well preserved. The Huizhou-style horse-head walls and carved windows are exquisite, like a living architectural museum. You can tell kids about ancient life and let them experience the charm of traditional culture~
3️⃣ Bench Bridge
The wooden bridge is full of ancient charm! It spans a babbling stream with crystal-clear water. Kids standing on the bridge can see little fish swimming around, and it’s great for photos—every shot looks like a classic ancient-style family portrait~

✅Family food recommendations
You can’t go wrong with Huizhou farmhouse dishes for kids! Bamboo shoot and braised pork is fragrant and oily, with meat stewed until super tender, easy for kids to chew; fresh and delicious river seafood stir-fry; Huizhou small wontons with thin wrappers and full fillings, super satisfying one bite each; handmade tofu is tender and refreshing. Also, the native chicken soup is especially rich and nutritious for kids~

✅Accommodation tips
The Huizhou-style guesthouses in the village are so adorable! They are all renovated old houses built by the water, where you can fall asleep listening to the sound of flowing water and take a morning walk by the river with the kids. If you can’t book a guesthouse in the village, staying in Huizhou Ancient Town is also good, just a 20-minute drive away and very convenient~