Live Your Best Lives
A Journey Through a Century-Old Village in the Suburbs of Beijing
--- A Travelogue of Cuandixia Village
Located in Zhaitang Town, Mentougou District, Beijing, Cuandixia Village is a traditional ancient village. Nestled in the narrow valley northwest of Zhaitang, 90 kilometers from Beijing, it sits at an altitude of 650 meters and covers an area of 5.3 square kilometers. Cuandixia Village is nestled against the mountainside, adapting to the terrain and forming a staggered landscape. With Houlongtou Mountain at its center and the north-south axis as its axis, the village stretches out in a fan-shaped pattern.
The village boasts over 70 courtyards and nearly 700 buildings, most dating from the late Qing Dynasty. The stacked, blue-brick, gray-tiled houses, scattered across the hillside and valley floor, imbue the village with a time-honored charm. Strolling through the village and taking photos is a delightful experience. The village's historic buildings are also accessible for visitors.
What to Do in the Village? Accommodation and meals in a farmhouse—experience authentic ancient town life and admire the beauty of the ancient village—halfway up the mountainside or from the observation deck. (There's an observation deck on the slopes of Jinchan Mountain, about 200 meters across from the village, offering panoramic views of the village. It's a popular spot for photography enthusiasts, and every sunrise and sunset is a great spot for capturing stunning photos.) Must-see attractions include the Landlord Courtyard, the Wealthy Lord Courtyard, the Guandi Temple, and the One-Line Sky (accessible by minibus). The One-Line Sky is 2 kilometers from the village, so a car is recommended for families with children or elderly. For accommodations in the village, there are several inns to choose from. Recently, the entire village has begun to operate as farmhouse inns. While the accommodations are relatively simple, you can experience the traditional kang (fired kang) and savor local farmhouse cuisine, giving you a glimpse into authentic rural life. Weekday rates for a double room are around 100 yuan, while standard rooms are around 150 yuan. Weekend rates increase by several dozen yuan, and during holidays like May Day and National Day, rates can increase even more. Accommodation often books up early, so call ahead to inquire. Cuandixia is a National A-level Scenic Area. It's now known as the Cuandibai Scenic Area (including Baiyu Village). Admission is 35 yuan per person, with free admission for those under 1.2 meters and half-price admission for those over 60 at 17 yuan (the ticket office is 2 kilometers from the ancient town). You can drive in, and parking is free. Along the way, you'll find villages, scenic spots, restaurants, and agricultural products. There's also a post office affiliated with Zhaitang Town in the village, where you can buy postcards and other local stamps. Driving Directions: Follow National Highway G109 to Zhaibai Road and drive 5.3 kilometers along Zhaibai Road to Cuandixia Village. Bus Directions: ① Take Subway Line 1, exit at Pingguoyuan Station, and transfer to bus number M22 to Zhaitang Station. Then, transfer to bus number M12 (a minibus) for a 20-minute ride to Cuandixia Village. ② Exit Jin'anqiao Station (Metro Line 6), the terminus, from Exit C (Northwest Exit). At the bus stop at the northwest corner of the intersection, transfer to Bus No. M22 at Jin'anqiao West Station. The ride takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. Get off at Zhaitang Station. Then transfer to Bus No. M12 (a minibus). The ride takes a little over 20 minutes to Cuandixia Village. ③ Take Bus Rapid Transit Line 4 from Fuchengmenwai Station. Get off at Shijingshan Railway Station in 40 minutes. Transfer to Bus No. M22 to Zhaitang Station. Then transfer to Bus No. M12 (a minibus). The ride takes a little over 20 minutes to Cuandixia Village.
Bus No. M12 schedule: 6:20 AM - 9:20 AM - 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM.
I love traveling, being close to nature, and savoring cultural heritage sites, so I chose the bus route.
The first thing I saw was the large "Cuandi" character—I've arrived at an ancient village.
Ming and Qing Dynasty Ancient Village Theme Post Office
The screen wall outside the main gate of Caizhuyuan
The screen wall outside the main gate of Caizhuyuan
A classic courtyard
The screen wall outside the gate
Ancient Village Streets
Street view
The back of the screen with the character "爨" is the character "福"
Another unique inn
Remains of murals remain on the wall inside the gate.
The courtyard is now an exhibition of village history and culture.
The second courtyard is large with five rooms.
Central Hall
West Room
East Room
The outside of the goalpost is a cat hole
There is a doghouse under the steps
An alley in the village
The weathered Chinese character "Fu"
A small inn waiting for guests
An old woman picking vegetables
Street scene
Overlooking the ancient village from the pavilion outside Guandi Temple
End of article
Number of days: 1 day, Average cost: 100 yuan,
Number of days: 2 days, Average cost: 3000 yuan,
Number of days: 2 days, Average cost: 10,000 yuan,
Number of days: 20 days, , Updated: 2021.05.11
Number of days：3 days, Average cost: 1500 yuan,
Number of days：6 days, Average cost: 3000 yuan,
