Hongcun village, located at the southwest foot of Yellow mountain and 11 kilometers away from Qian county of Huangshan city, was built in 1131 AD. The whole village covers an area of 30 hectares with beautiful natural landscape and profound history, which enjoys the reputation of “the charming village of an oil-painting”. Nowadays, there are about 140 ancient buildings of the Ming and Qing Dynasty, which is a carrier of Huizhou culture in the late period of Chinese feudal society.
The harmonious coexistence of natural and cultural landscape differs Hongcun ancient village from other residential architecture layout. In 2000, Hongcun Village was listed as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO. The tranquility and beauty of Hongcun Village in Anhui make it an ideal stop during your Huangshan travel, especially for those seeking a peaceful retreat.
Hongcun Ancient Village Facts
- Address:Northeastern Yixian County, Huangshan City, Southern Anhui Province
- Hongcun Village in Chinese:宏村
- Type: World Heritage, Ancient Villages
- Best Time to Visit:Spring & Autumn
- Recommended Visiting Hours: 5-6 hours
- Open Hours: All Day
- Tickets: 104 Yuan per person, valid for 3 days
Hongcun Ancient Village History
Hongcun Village was originally established during the Shaoxing years of the Southern Song Dynasty. It was named “Hongcun” (originally “Hóngcūn” with the same pronunciation but a different character).
During the Yongle years of the Ming Dynasty, Hu Chong, the wife of the village head of Hongcun Village, designed and organized the construction of a water system that connected the inside and outside of the village, solving the problem of water supply for the villagers. In the Qianlong years of the Qing Dynasty, the name was changed to “Hongcun” (with the current character) to avoid the taboo of the emperor’s name, symbolizing grandeur and prosperity.
The location, layout, and beauty of Hongcun are all directly related to water, making it a meticulously planned ancient village. The artificial water system inside and outside the village adopts a biomimetic “ox” shape. The residential buildings form the body of the ox, and the four ancient bridges act as its legs. The entire village resembles a leisurely water buffalo lying amidst green mountains and clear waters, with a vivid and lifelike appearance. As you step into Hongcun, you will be impressed by the remarkable wisdom of water management and the brilliant water culture in China.
Why Visit the Hongcun Village
Ox-shaped Structure
The shape of Hongcun looks like an ox. During the Songdynasty, local people built a man-made water system based on the unique shape for irrigation and fireproofing. The curved water ditches just like the “ox intestines”, the folk houses stand along the “ox intestines” are the main body of the ox, the two “Moon Ponds” dug besides the hole of spring is the “ox stomachs”, and the south lake is the “ox tripe”. In addition, two old trees look like the ox horns. This great artificial water system is the most unique one in China.
The Artistic Architecture
The most prominent feature of Hongcun Village is its rustic and elegant architectural art. Most of the houses in Hongcun were built during the Ming and Qing dynasties, using wood, bricks, and tiles as the main materials, forming a unique Huizhou-style architectural style. Huizhou Village architecture is renowned for its exquisite carvings, delicate decorations, unique shapes, and symbolic patterns.
The houses in Hongcun Village are not only aesthetically pleasing on the outside but also have well-organized interiors that balance functionality and beauty. Hongcun is home to many famous ancient buildings, such as the Nanhu Academy, Chengqi Hall, Chenghua Hall, and Rongguo Mansion, all of which are representative works of Huizhou architecture and are worth visiting one by one.
The buildings in Hongcun Village consist of residential and private gardens, or public facilities such as academies and ancestral halls. All kinds of buildings possess exquisite engravings, which are high in artistic value. There are more than 140 well-preserved dwellings of the Ming and Qing dynasties, the majority of them were built along the river. Some people also channeled water into the house to build a water courtyard with the fish pond. The most famous buildings are South Lake Academy, Lexu Hall, Chengzhi Hall, Bi Garden and so on.
Tranquil Water
South lake, located in the south of Hongcun village, was built during the Wanliperiod of the Ming dynasty.The lake is in a bow shape with upper and lower lake embankment. With the dense verdant trees and ancient style buildings, it has a charming and picturesque scenery. It has been rebuilt three times in history. In 1986, the middle dike was rebuilt to construct a “painted bridge” for boating. Including the South Lake into Hongcun Village itinerary is perfect for anyone looking to experience the authentic charm of a traditional Chinese village.
Recommended Tour：One Day Hongcun and Xidi Villages Tour in Huangshan
What to Do in Hongcun Village
Experiencing the Hongcun Night Market
There is a small night market in Hongcun, located on the only commercial street in the village. Since there are many students who come here to sketch and paint, the night market mainly sells small handicrafts and snacks. It offers a unique kind of fun that you can’t find elsewhere. It’s worth taking a walk around.
Appreciating the Autumn Colors of Tachuan Village
The characteristic of the autumn colors in Tachuan Village is its sense of layering. In the eyes of artists and photographers, it is very rich and conducive to creating beautiful works. There is a photography festival held here every early November, and the autumn colors usually last for about half a month.
Capturing the Beauty of the Moon Pond
As is well-known, the distinctive feature of Hongcun is the winding and meandering water channels that encircle the entire village. In fact, if we call them “ditches,” everyone would immediately understand. Another highlight of Hongcun is the “eye” of the village—the Moon Pond. This crescent-shaped pool in the center of the village is the essence of Hongcun’s charm and elegance. The Moon Pond is merely a small pond in the village, yet it is an extremely enchanting one.
Located in the heart of Hongcun, the Moon Pond is locally known as the Moon Pond (Yuetang). It is the most beautiful and representative spot in Hongcun. One glance at it, and you know you are in Hongcun. The white-washed walls and dark-tiled Hui-style architecture, together with their reflections in the water, create a picturesque scene that has become the symbol of this place. It attracts countless photography enthusiasts and painters who come here to sketch, photograph, and create, leaving behind masterpieces for the world to admire.
Recommended Tour：4 Days Huangshan Tour with Hongcun and Xidi Villages
Hongcun Village Travel Tips
How to Get to Hongcun Village
Hongcun is approximately 60 kilometers away from Huangshan City and about 90 kilometers from the Huangshan Scenic Area. You can reach Hongcun by bus or taxi from either Huangshan City or the Huangshan Scenic Area.
The buses that can directly get to Hongcun Village are available at the Qian couty Bus Station, Huangshan Bus Terminal (Tunxi Bus Station) or Mount Huangshan Scenic Spot Transfer center. Visitors can also take a tourist bus to Hongcun Village from the Xidi Ancient Village.
Hongcun Village Accommodation/Hotel
There are many inns and guesthouses in Hongcun, where you can experience the simple and rustic Hui-style architecture and the local customs. It is recommended to book in advance to avoid the risk of having no available rooms during peak seasons. The prices generally range from 100 to 300 yuan, depending on the season and the facilities provided.
Hongcun Village Dining
There is a variety of local specialties and delicious snacks offered in Hongcun and Xidi ancient village, such as baked cakes, fried tea, roast chicken, stinky tofu, and baked pancake helmets. All of them are worth trying. In addition, Hongcun has some local products, such as tea, honey, and bamboo weaving, which can be purchased as souvenirs to take home.
Best Time to Visit
The best times to visit China Hongcun Village are spring and autumn, when the climate is pleasant and the scenery is at its most beautiful. It is recommended to spend a full day exploring Hongcun Village, visiting ancient buildings like the Nanhu Academy, Chengqi Hall, and Chenghua Hall. Especially, you can admire the ink-wash painting-like beauty of Nanhu Lake, and experience the local folk customs. If you have extra time, you can also visit other nearby ancient villages in your Huangshan tour, such as Xidi Ancient Village, to enjoy different aspects of Hui-style charm.
Hongcun Village Weather
Located at the southwestern foot of Mount Huangshan in the southern part of Anhui Province, Hongcun Village features a terrain that is higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast. Its geographical coordinates are 117°38’ east longitude and 30°11’ north latitude. It falls within the subtropical monsoon humid climate zone. The average annual precipitation is 1,763.2 mm, with the period from April to July being the rainy season, during which 65% of the annual precipitation occurs. Floods and droughts are the main hydrological disasters in this area.
During the Hongcun Village tour, visitors can explore the Moon Pond, the ancient South Lake, and traditional Hui-style houses, experiencing the charm of this ancient village firsthand.
Nearby Attractions
- Chengkan Village: The Chengkan Village is located in Huizhou District, Huangshan City, with 140 well-preserved ancient residential buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
- Mukeng Bamboo Forest: 2 kilometers away from Hongcun. It is a charming mountain village among the many beautiful and fertile natural villages in Xiaotaoyuan, Yixian County.
