Visiting Xidi and Hongcun

When coming to Huangshan, visiting Xidi and Hongcun is a must for every traveler. Xidi and Hongcun are about 50 and 70 kilometers away from Huangshan city center respectively, and it takes about an hour and a half to drive there.

I first arrived at Xidi. The village is not very large, and it takes less than an hour to tour the entire village. The streets in the village crisscross, and each street is lined with many shops, making it quite commercialized. However, many buildings still retain historical marks and have not undergone major reconstruction or alterations using modern technology, which is part of the charm of the ancient village.

A gently flowing river runs around the ancient village, with abundant water and clear quality, like a jade belt wrapping the entire village. At the edge of the village, there is a large waterwheel, probably long abandoned, standing there as a witness and decoration of the village’s growth.

Hongcun is more famous than Xidi and attracts more tourists, so naturally it is more commercialized. For me, I prefer Xidi.

Hongcun is much larger than Xidi, but its history is not as long. Xidi was founded in the Northern Song Dynasty, while Hongcun was established in the Southern Song Dynasty. The entire village of Hongcun is shaped like a lying ox, embraced by surrounding mountains.

The first thing that catches the eye when entering Hongcun is an ancient architectural complex with a pond and a small bridge. Tall, lush trees surround the pond, and many people are sketching by the water. In early summer, sitting under the dense shade by the pond is a wonderful experience!

Yuezhao, also called Yuetang, is the most representative scenic spot of Hongcun and a must-visit photo spot for tourists. The mottled Hui-style ancient buildings are reflected in the green pond water, creating a faint and shadowy image. If it weren’t for tourists in modern clothing passing by, it would feel like traveling back in time.

I really like the streams flowing through Hongcun. Almost every alley has clear water gently flowing, bringing a touch of coolness to the summer village. The villagers love planting roses and wild roses. The wild roses quietly leap over the walls, presenting dense pink flowers to everyone passing by. I can also feel the kindness of the wild roses, lingering a little longer, gently smelling their fragrance, and savoring their beauty.

Post by CipherSeeker | Oct 3, 2025