Hongcun Village


Hongcun Village is located at the foot of the southwest side of Mt. Huangshan, only 11 kilometers
away from Yixian town. It is a unique, buffalo-shaped ancient village in the ancient village. The whole
village is measured to be 30 hectares, it is bedded at Mt. Leigang, facing Nanhu Lake.

Hongcun Village has always enjoyed the name "a village in the Chinese painting". The village now
boasts 158 dwelling houses dating back to the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties,
nearly 140 are still in good shape.

In the Song dynasty, the villagers constructed an irrigation canal interveining every houses, so virtually
every household in the village has easy access of the canal. The waterways of the village were
supposed to be designed to provide source of washing water, even fire water in case of emergency.
The construction was designed in similarity to a ox’s body structure: Nanhu Lake is shaped like the ox’s belly; Moon Pond looks like it's stomach;
the channel its intestine. This vivid layout of ox is one outstanding feature of the village.

The structure is elegant and blends closely with nature. It creates a scientific living environment, which is also full of affection. It's one outstanding
representative of China's traditional domestic houses. Among them, Chenzhi Hall is a big and gorgeous residential building, including two living
rooms, one Buddhism prayer section, one Majiong room and a opium cabinet, etc. It enjoys the name of "Residence Museum".

Hongcun is an outstanding representative of Huizhou traditional local culture, building techniques and
landscape design. It is full of much value of history, art and science.  It indeed is the witness of Huizhou
traditional architectural culture. Hongcun has been listed into the Contents of World Cultural and Natural
Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It is also the location for
the famous prize film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".