The Tangmo Ancient Village in Huangshan, a national 5A-level tourist attraction and part of the Ancient Huizhou Cultural Tourism Zone, is an ancient village tourist area. Tangmo Ancient Village is characterized mainly by its waterside entrance, Huizhou-style gardens, and water town scenery. The tranquil pastoral landscapes and rustic cultural relics complement each other perfectly. It is acclaimed as the “Chinese Idyllic Rural Village,” the “Chinese Dragon-shaped Village,” and the last surviving ancient village of Tang Dynasty Huizhou.
The village boasts a beautiful natural environment and profound Huizhou cultural heritage. To this day, it still retains a rather intact ancient village spatial layout and historical appearance. With its strong Huizhou flavor, Tangmo Ancient Village is a must-see ancient village in southern Anhui during a Huangshan travel.
Tangmo Ancient Village Facts
- Type: Historic Sites, Village, Scenic Area
- Best Seasons:Spring & Autumn
- Recommended Visiting Time:1-t 2 hours
- Open Hours:8:00-17:30
- Tickets:80 Yuan per person
- Address: 1 Qian-Tang Road, Tangmo Village, Qiankou Town, Huizhou District, Huangshan City
Hisotry of Tangmo Ancient Village
Tangmo Ancient Village was first established during the Tang Dynasty. It continued to develop through the Song and Yuan dynasties and reached its peak in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Known for its simple and honest folk customs and prosperous economy, Tangmo Ancient Village was hailed as the “Model Village of the Tang Dynasty,” from which the village derived its name.
Like many ancient villages, Tangmo Ancient Village was strategically located against a mountain and beside a river. Backed by Lion Mountain, a clear stream runs through the village, with over a hundred ancient Huizhou-style buildings lining its banks. These include residences, shops, ancestral halls, and workshops. The combination of small bridges, flowing water, whitewashed walls, black tiles, and the distinctive Huizhou horse-head walls creates a picturesque and charming rural landscape.
Tangmo is not just an ancient village but also one with both a water entrance and a garden, forming a unique and representative waterside garden landscape. Combining a visit to Tangmo Ancient Village with your Huangshan tour will add a unique cultural dimension to your journey.
Tangmo Ancient Village Highlights
Huizhou-Style Garden
Upon entering Tangmo, you are greeted by the rustic elegance and tranquil Huizhou waterside garden. The most famous among them is Tangan Garden, the largest private garden in southern Anhui. Named for its abundant sandalwood and crape myrtle trees, Tangan Garden is also known as the “Little West Lake.” Towering ancient trees and pavilions with wing-like eaves adorn the garden. The “He Gao Studio” is grand and imposing, with lotus leaves spreading across ponds and osmanthus flowers filling the air with fragrance.
Water Street
The Water Street has the unique charm of a Jiangnan waterway, yet it distinguishes itself from ordinary Jiangnan water streets. Built in the mountain village of Tangmo, it required significant labor and resources, primarily due to feng shui considerations and to facilitate daily life for the people. Together with the downstream ancient pavilions, bridges, and archways, it forms a complete and meticulous feng shui system.
Mirror Pavilion
The Mirror Pavilion is the centerpiece of the Little West Lake, surrounded by water on all sides. The interior walls of the pavilion are made of marble and inlaid with calligraphy inscriptions from eighteen famous calligraphers of the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, including Su Shi and Zhu Xi. Standing in the pavilion, you can enjoy the surrounding scenic views while immersing yourself in the profound Chinese culture. Therefore, the Mirror Pavilion’s collection of inscriptions is considered a treasure of the Tangmo village.
Twin Brothers’ Archway
Built during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, the archway spans the road with three bays and three stories, featuring four soaring columns. Entirely constructed from tea garden stone, it is adorned with carvings of birds, beasts, and various patterns, with four stone lions at the base. It was built by imperial decree to honor two brothers from Tangmo.
How to Get to Tangmo Ancient Village
- Drive:To reach Huangshan (Tunxi) by highway, you can take the Huihang Expressway, Hefei-Tongling-Huangshan Expressway, Tongling-Fuyang Expressway, or the Yangtze River Expressway. Exit at “Yanshi” and you will reach the Tangmo Scenic Area in about 3 kilometers.
- Public Transportation:The Huangshan City Bus Terminal (Tunxi Bus Station) offers direct buses to Tangmo, but the frequency is very low. Alternatively, you can take a bus to She County and ask the driver to let you off at the intersection where you can transfer. From there, you can either take a bus to Tangmo or hire a taxi.
Nearby Attractions
- Xidi Ancient Village: Located at the southern foot of Mount Huangshan, 40 kilometers away from the Huangshan Scenic Area. It is known as the “Home in the Peach Blossom Spring.”
- Mukeng Bamboo Forest:The most extensive in the Yangtze River Basin. Coupled with its sparse population, Mukeng Bamboo Forest boasts excellent ecological footprints.
