For thousands of years, Huizhou has captivated countless literati with its charming landscapes and profound cultural heritage. The Huizhou Ancient City, one of the birthplaces of Huizhou culture, is located in She County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province. Surrounded by five peaks and six rivers, Huizhou Ancient City features a unique topography of mountains and waters.
Exploring the ancient streets of Huishan Ancient City is one of the highlights of Huangshan tours. Walking through Huizhou Ancient City, you will see ancient bridges like rainbows, elegant ancient pagodas. It feels like strolling in a beautiful landscape painting.
Huizhou Ancient City Facts
- Type: Ancient City, Landmarks
- Recommended Visiting Time: about3 hours
- Opening Hours: 08:00 ~ 17:00
- Best Seasons: All Season
- Tickets: Free
- Address: Huicheng Town, Shexian County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, China
Why Visit Huizhou Ancient City
Profound History
A Huangshan tour is incomplete without a visit to the time-honored history of Huizhou Ancient City. Huizhou Ancient City (formerly known as Xin’an Prefecture) was first established during the Qin Dynasty. Since the Tang Dynasty, it has always been the seat of the Huizhou prefecture, state, and provincial administration.
The She County ancient city, built during the Ming Dynasty, is divided into an inner city and an outer rampart, with four gates to the east, west, south, and north. Among them, the two watchtowers on the western gate rampart are still perfectly preserved to this day. Since the Tang and Song dynasties, She County has built more than 400 memorial archways, of which 104 are still well-preserved, a rarity in China.
Splendid Culture
Huizhou is a land of outstanding people and natural beauty. It is not only renowned both in China and abroad for its magical and beautiful natural landscapes, but also famous worldwide for its brilliant Huizhou culture. Rich in connotation, Huizhou culture has formed unique schools and styles at all levels and in all fields. The famous scholars and outstanding figures from Huizhou are as numerous as stars in the autumn sky, too many to count. From the majestic peaks of Huangshan to the quaint charm of Huishan Ancient City culture, the Huangshan travel is a journey through time and nature.
Huizhou Dialect
The Huizhou dialect is an extremely unique local language and a self-contained dialectal variety. Rooted in the fertile soil of Huizhou culture, it is a beautiful and rare gem. In the Huizhou region, there is a saying: “Within three li, the accents differ; within ten li, the customs vary.”
Huizhou Opera
Huizhou Opera is an ancient and enduring theatrical genre with a rich artistic heritage. It initially gained popularity in the Huizhou area, as well as in regions such as Anqing, Chizhou, and Taiping. It has had a profound influence on many other opera forms.
The content of Huizhou Opera ranges from stories of warring states, court affairs, and supernatural beings to tales of everyday life, covering a wide array of subjects. Its music and vocal styles are elegant and complete. The performing arts are particularly diverse and skillfully executed, with vibrant and colorful stage presentations that possess a sculptural beauty. Huizhou Opera is a comprehensive and dazzling artistic treasure trove, representing an important chapter in the splendid cultural history of the Xin’an region.
What to See in Huizhou Ancient City
Xu Guo’s Former Residence
Located to the south of Xu Guo Stone Archway, this site in Huizhou Ancient City of Huangshan is part of the former residence of Grand Secretary Xu Guo. The residence is a large architectural complex, featuring stone lions and archways outside the gate, and consisting of a main hall, garden, and library inside.
East Watchtower
The East Watchtower, also known as Yanghe Gate, is located to the west of Xu Guo Stone Archway in Huizhou Ancient City. It was originally built in the 20th year of the Shaoxing era during the Southern Song Dynasty (1150).
The construction of the tower was motivated by a feng shui concept. In the past, the city frequently suffered from fires. In the second year of the Shaoxing era, a massive fire destroyed more than half of the prefectural city, even reducing the prefectural office to ashes. Feng shui masters attributed the cause to the incorrect orientation of the office. As a result, the original main gate, the South Watchtower, was sealed off, and this East Watchtower was built. The time-keeping devices from the South Watchtower were also moved to the East Watchtower.
Hui Garden
Hui Garden of the Huizhou Ancient City is built in the area of the former Huizhou Prefecture Yamen in She County. It integrates the archways, ancient residences, and ancestral halls with the essence of brick carving, wood carving, and stone carving. Opened to the public in 2000, Hui Garden is known as the “Grand View Garden of Huizhou Culture.”
Doushan Street
Doushan Street is a first-class protected area of cultural and historical significance in Huizhou Ancient City, named after its proximity to Doushan Mountain. Approximately 500 meters long, the street is lined with large residences of Huizhou merchants and officials from the Qing Dynasty. The street extends from north to south, with houses facing south. The facades along the street are characterized by their side gable walls, with varying heights of horse-head walls. Combined with door hoods and stone-paved roads, they create a unique and elegant ambiance typical of Huizhou alleyways.
How to Get to Huizhou Ancient City
By Air
She County is part of Huangshan. The only airport is Tunxi Airport. It is a bit far from the Huizhou Ancient City and there is no direct transportation. You can take a taxi to Huizhou Ancient City, which will cost no less than 100 yuan. Alternatively, you can take the airport bus No. 19 to Huangshan Bus Station and then transfer to a minibus to She County. The shuttle buses run every 10 minutes or so.
By High-Speed Train
Both She County and Huangshan high-speed rail stations are options. However, She County station is closer to Huizhou Ancient City. But there are fewer trains from other parts of the country to She County station, while more trains go to Huangshan North Station.
By Bus
For those coming from nearby cities, it is best to take a bus to She County and then transfer to a public bus to Huizhou Ancient City. If you can’t get to She County directly, you can go to Huangshan Bus Station and then transfer to a minibus to She County. The shuttle buses run every 10 minutes or so.
Nearby Huangshan Attractions
- Yellow Mountain: Mount Huangshan is one of China’s most renowned mountain scenic areas, famous for its magnificent, fantastic, and perilous landscapes.
- Mukeng Bamboo Forest: Located 1.5 kilometers southeast of Taichuan, the Mukeng Bamboo Sea features lush bamboo forests and serene atmosphere.
- Tunxi Ancient Street: Tunxi AncientStreet is a pedestrian street in Tunxi District, Huangshan City of Anhui Province, lined with a large number of well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty Hui buildings.
