Xidi Village

​​Overview​​

Xidi Village (西递), located in Yixian County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, is one of China's best-preserved ancient villages. Established in 1049-1053 during the Northern Song Dynasty, this 950-year-old settlement was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 alongside Hongcun Village. With its unique boat-shaped layout and exquisite Huizhou architecture, it attracts global visitors seeking authentic cultural experiences.

​​Key Features​​

1. ​​Boat-Shaped Layout​​

   • ​​Design​​: The village resembles a moored ship:
     • Hull: 224 Ming-Qing era residences (14th–19th century)
     • Mast: 13m-tall ​​Hu Wenguang Stone Archway​​ (1578 AD)
     • Waterways: 3 interconnected streams symbolizing "wealth flow"

2. ​​Architectural Highlights​​

   • ​​Huizhou "Three Carvings"​​:
     • Stone: Archway reliefs depicting auspicious animals
     • Wood: ​​Dafudi Mansion​​'s lattice windows with floral motifs
     • Brick: ​​Ruiyu Hall​​'s geometric patterns
   • ​​Distinctive Elements​​:
     • Horsehead Walls: Fire-resistant gables with artistic silhouettes
     • Four-Water Courtyards: Central skylights for natural lighting

3. ​​Cultural Significance​​

   • ​​Imperial Heritage​​: Founded by Tang Emperor Zhaozong's descendants (surname Hu)
   • ​​Confucian Values​​: Ancestral halls like ​​Jing'ai Hall​​ display "作退一步想" ("Take a step back") plaques promoting harmony
   • ​​Modern Recognition​​:
     • UNESCO's first "Best Tourism Village" (2021)
     • Featured in Ang Lee's films for its timeless aesthetics

​​Visitor Experience​​

• ​​Must-See Spots​​:

  • ​​Hu Wenguang Archway​​: Only surviving Ming Dynasty memorial gate
  • ​​Nighttime Light Show​​: Water-screen projections of village history
  • ​​Interactive Workshops​​: Stone carving and tea-picking activities

• ​​Practical Info​​:

  • ​​Ticket​​: ¥104 (≈$15), includes free guided tours
  • ​​Transport​​: 1-hour shuttle from Huangshan North Station
  • ​​Best Time​​: April-May (rapeseed blooms) & Sept-Oct (clear skies)

​​Preservation & Innovation​​

• ​​Digital Integration​​: AR reconstructions of ruined buildings via app
• ​​Sustainable Tourism​​: 80% of ticket revenue funds restoration
• ​​Global Appeal​​: Hosted diplomats from 50+ countries

Xidi offers a journey through China's architectural genius and philosophical traditions, where every alleyway whispers centuries of stories.