Xidi Village, nestled in Yixian County in the Huangshan City, Anhui Province, China, is only 40 kilometers from the Yellow Mountain Scenic Area. With a history of over 960 years, it is home to three Ming and Qing ancestral halls, one memorial archway, and over 300 ancient residences. The overall layout and architectural style of the Xidi Ancient Village well follows the features of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
In 2000, Xidi Ancient Village, along with Hongcun Village, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Don’t miss it during your Huangshan tour if you are interested in typical Huizhou architecture and rich cultural heritage.
Follow our article to find more hidden gems and essential travel tips of Xidi Ancient Village.
Quick Facts about Xidi Village
- Location: 8 kilometers southeast of Yi County in Huangshan City, Anhui Province, China
- Chinese name:西递 (Xīdì)
- History: Established in Norther Song Dyansty (960–1127), with a history of nearly 1,000 years.
- Opening hours:All day
- Tickets: CNY 120 per person
- Why visit: A World Cultural Heritage Site, a living museum of Huizhou Architecture, rich cultural heritage, harmony of nature, and diverse experiences.
- Suited to: Photography lovers and people who are interested in Huizhou architecture, and traditional intangible cultural heritage.
- Suggested visiting time: 4-5hours
- Best time to go: March to May, September to November
Xidi Village Layout & Huizhou Architecture
The layout of Xidi Village is based on a longitudinal street and two roads along two crisscrossed streams, resembling the shape of a boat. All the streets and alleys are paved with bluestone. The ancient wooden residences scattered along the narrow streets and alleys are all adorned with exquisite wood carvings, stone carvings, and brick carvings, exuding a simple and elegant style.
These “Three Carvings of Huizhou” (wood, stone, and brick carvings) and the “Traditional Construction Techniques of Huizhou Residences” are all treasured intangible cultural heritages.
As a prime example of Huizhou architecture in southern Anhui, the village features gray brick walls, dark-tiled roofs, and the gentle elegance of Jiangnan water towns. Besides exquisite carvings, other distinctive architectural features in Xidi Village include:
- Horse-Head Walls: The most distinctive feature of Huizhou architecture, the uniquely shaped horse-head walls create an elegant yet simple aesthetic. They were designed to prevent fire and theft.
- High Walls, Deep Courtyards, and Small Windows: This design is to ensure security in ancient times, while also bringing a quiet and reserved atmosphere to the village.
- Gray Brick, Dark Tiles, and White Walls: The color contrast creates a clean and elegant aesthetic.
- An Integration of Ancestral Halls and Residential Homes: In Xidi Village, ancestral halls and homes coexist within the village.
Xidi Ancient Village History
The village is 700 meters long and 300 meters wide. It got its name for a river flowing westward in the village and once had an ancient courier station. The history of Xidi Village can be traced back to the Northern Song Dynasty nearly 1,000 years ago.
Most residents here bear the surname Hu. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Hu family accumulated wealth and prestige through commerce and the imperial examination system. After they became an important family in the Huizhou region, the village flourished and reached to its peak. Numerous ancestral halls, residences, and memorial archways were built at that time and are well-preserved until today.
Thanks to the exquisite architectural carvings and well-preserved traditional buildings, Xidi Village, along with Hongcun, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. This is a rare example of a village-type cultural heritage site in China.
Today, it has become a can’t-miss place for visitors who want to explore the charm of Hui-style architecture and culture when traveling to Huangshan.
What to See and Do in Xidi Ancient Village
Hu Wenguang Archway
Built during the Ming Dynasty, the Hu Wenguang Archway was constructed to commemorate the achievements of Hu Wenguang. It is the only well-preserved stone archway in the village, standing 12.3 meters high and 9.95 meters wide. This four-pillared, three-bayed, five-tiered structure is entirely made of Yixian bluestone, with intricate carvings, such as dragons, phoenixes, qilins, and flowers, as well as Hu Wenguang’s life achievements, on it.
Jing’ai Hall
As the main ancestral hall of the Hu family in Xidi Village, Jing’ai Hall is an important venue for family ancestor worship and clan affairs. Pay a visit to it if you want to learn about the clan-based values and deep-rooted traditional culture of the Hui people.
The hall features its grand architectural scale and meticulous layout, consisting of a front hall, middle hall, rear hall, and courtyard. The entire building mainly features wooden structures, with its beams, columns, and windows richly decorated with exquisite wood, brick, and stone carvings.
Zhuimu Hall
The hall was built during the Qing Dynasty to honor Emperor Li Shimin. Legend has it that the Hu family’s ancestors were descendants of Li Shimin’s son. He and his family changed their surname to Hu and moved to Xidi to escape turmoil.
The hall is in a solemn and elegant architectural style, with an altar in the main hall and impressive wood and stone carvings on the walls, doors, and roofs.
Lingyun Attic (aka Zouma Lou)
Also called Zouma Lou, Lingyun Attic is from the Qing Dynasty and features one of the tallest buildings in the village. Standing about 15 meters tall, the building not only serves as a landmark of typical Hui architecture but also as a great viewing platform to enjoy panoramic views of the village.
Residential Architecture
Xidi Village is home to over 300 ancient residences from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. 124 of the residences remain intact today, offering a glimpse into the lifestyle of Hui merchants and scholars during these periods. Some of the top recommended residences include:
- Dafu Di: Featuring grand scale and exquisite carvings, Dafudiholds all typical Hui-style architecture features, such as horsehead walls, wooden windows and doors with intricate carvings. In the building, there is a “Xiu Tower” facing the street, which was said to have been used for the Hu family’s daughter to throw the embroidery ball to choose her future husband.
- West Garden (Xi Yuan): The private estate of Hu Wenzhao, West Garden is a classic example of a garden-style residence. It features three parallel courtyards connected by a central courtyard, with its design harmonizing the house and garden. This type of design is common in Suzhou gardens, but is rare in Xidi.
- East Garden (Dong Yuan): Also a private estate of Hu Wenzhao, the East Garden features many uniquely designed carvings, such as the leaf-shaped carving on the rear gate and the Five Bats Bringing Longevity carving on the doors. These all reflect the deep hopes of the owner for the future generations.
Enjoy a Night Tour in Xidi
A night tour in Xidi will reward you with a completely different experience from the daytime. The light show brings Xidi’s beauty to life in a unique way. It illuminates not just one spot but the entire village. And it is recommended to follow the following route:
Begin your night tour with the fountain show at Mingjing Lake, which is followed by a Water Curtain Show. Then, move to the Hu Wenguang Archway by the lake to see it transformed into a vibrant spectacle of colors and light.
Head to Jing’ai Hall for a 10-minute ink wash projection show. Then wander through the alleys and streets, see the white walls and grey bricks showing a more mysterious and stunning appearance.
Best Huangshan Tours including Xidi Village:
- One Day Hongcun and Xidi Villages Tour in Huangshan
- 4 Days Huangshan Tour with Hongcun & Xidi Villages
When is the Best Time to Visit Xidi Village
To enjoy the most pleasant and stunning scenery, the best time to visit Xidi Village is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Spring is when you can witness a breathtaking contrast of golden rapeseed flowers and white and grey architecture in a comfortable climate. In autumn, the dry and crisp air and cool temperature make it enjoyable to admire the elegant architecture and the surrounding vibrant autumn colors. Just remember to avoid the busy public holidays in China.
Though summer (June to August) marks the rainy season of the region, it is a great time to enjoy the lush and green view of the village and a summer escape to nearby Huangshan Mountain.
Winter is also a great period if you want to enjoy a tour in a more peaceful and tranquil atmosphere and don’t mind the lower temperatures (average around 0-10°C).
How to get to the Xidi Ancient Village?
From Huangshan City (Tunxi)
Take a direct bus from Huangshan Tunxi Bus Station to Xidi. The buses depart 8 times between 8:00 and 16:00 each day, and take about 1.5 hours for a single trip.
From the Yellow Mountain Scenic Area
Take a direct bus from the scenic area to Hongcun Village in about 50 minutes. Then, transfer to a bus to Xidi Village.
Alternatively, you can take a direct bus from Huangshan Scenic Area to Yixian Bus Station (about 1.2 hours). After that, transfer to a bus to Xidi.
From Hongcun Village
Take a direct bus from the entrance of Hongcun to Xidi. The buses are frequent, taking about 25 minutes and costing about CNY 3-5.
Attractions Nearby Xidi Village
- Hongcun Ancient Village: About 18.4 kilometers away, Hongcun features typical Hui-style architecture, a unique water system layout, a misty rural landscape, and a rich historical culture.
- Yellow Mountain (Mount Huangshan): About 1.5 hours drive from Xidi, the Yellow Mountains is often referred to as one of the most beautiful mountains in China. Some of its iconic wonders include oddly-shaped pines, strange rocks, sea of clouds, hot springs, stunning sunrises and sunsets, and winter snow.
- Huizhou Ancient Town: About 65 kilometers away, Huizhou Ancient City is one of the four best-preserved ancient cities in China. Here you can admire rich Hui-style architecture and deep cultural heritage and experience traditional crafts like Hui ink-making and Hui Opera.
- Hu Kaiwen Ink Factory: About 52 kilometers away, Hu Kaiwen Ink Factory offers visitors a chance to learn about the traditional craftsmanship and techniques used to make Hui ink.
