https://nz.trip.com/moments/detail/huangshan-120061-134223006?locale=en-NZ
_28_1994_TonySingapore

I found the real-life version of the "Green Fairyland" in Huizhou

🏡 Xixinan: A Millennial Poetic Scroll at the Foot of Huangshan Mountain Strolling along the Fengle River on the western foothills of Huangshan, an ancient village once known as the "Richest in She County" quietly flows with 800 years of history. This is Xixinan—the best-preserved Huizhou ancient village at the foot of Huangshan, a living museum of Ming and Qing architecture. Walking through the "Three-Room Alley" built during the Ming Dynasty feels like stepping into an ink-wash painting. Beneath the mottled horse-head walls lie countless stories of time: 1️⃣ Old House Pavilion and Green Surrounding Pavilion In the old residence built by Ming Dynasty salt merchant Wu Zhilong, the Green Surrounding Pavilion still retains the refined elegance of Ming-style gardens. The intertwined lotus patterns on the stone-carved lattice windows bear witness to the legendary merchant guild era when "no town prospered without Huizhou merchants." It's said the Wu family often hosted tea gatherings here, where million-salt-contract deals were sealed amid laughter. 2️⃣ Millennial Ancient Dam on Fengle River The Lei'e water conservancy system built during the Southern Song Dynasty still irrigates fertile fields today. The stone weir clearly shows ancient water channels carved by ancestors. The Fengle River reflects the black-tiled, white-walled houses on both banks, perfectly embodying the Huizhou poetic scene of "a river's misty waters mirroring sunny mountains." 3️⃣ Alleyways Dense with Hundred-Eave Buildings The village preserves 72 ancient Ming-Qing alleys, with ancestral gates of various surnames lining the streets. The golden toad carvings on the Cheng Family Ancestral Hall's doors and windows, the "Four Waters Converging" courtyard of the Li Family Mansion—all whisper stories of Huizhou merchants' "scholarly merchant" family traditions. When morning mist drifts through the maple-poplar forest, old farmers lead water buffalo across stone bridges, and laundry-beating sounds startle egrets by the river—such scenes convince me that Xixinan is the real-life version of Tao Yuanming's "dimly visible distant village, curling smoke from homesteads." Here, time seems ground slowly by ancient millstones. Villagers still draw water with bamboo baskets, cultivate gardens left from the Ming Dynasty, and dry hams under corridors using century-old methods. Standing before the Jinshi Mansion built during the Qianlong era, I suddenly understand why Tang Xianzu wrote, "All my life's deepest longing finds no dream to match Huizhou." Xixinan needs no deliberate attractions—every corner is scenery. When sunset dyes the entire village amber, you'll comprehend the Huizhou saying: "Eight parts landscape, one part fields, one part roads and manors"—the ultimate flavor of earthly paradise.
View original text
*This content is provided by our partner and translated by AI
Posted: Jul 26, 2025
Submit
0
Mentioned in this post
Attraction

Xixinan Ancient Village

4.2/580 reviews | Fall foliage
Huangshan
No. 7 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Anhui
Details
Show more
Related Trip Moments
Xixinan Ancient Village

Xu Xiake did not deceive me—the sunrise and sea of clouds at Huangshan are absolutely stunning

Floral Hotel
Hongcun Village

I thought Hongcun was beautiful enough! Until I stumbled upon the free "Xixinan"

Elena Bell
Xixinan Ancient Village

A Journey Through Time and Light: Hongcun, Chengkan & Xixinan

Marco #17
Huizhou Ancient Town

Escape the city with the kids! The free ancient village Xixinan in Huizhou is so great to explore

_1992_Kate_29
Dreamed Pen of Fine Essays (Bi Sheng Hua)

Huangshan Travel Guide Overview Map

JacksonRichardson_23
Tachuan Scenic Area

One of the Four Great Autumn Viewing Spots in Southern Anhui

_1997_Ben_24
Qiankou residential Museum

Huizhou|Ink-wash Huizhou's Thousand-Year Slow Time! Explore Huizhou-style Architecture

MATTHEW GONZALES
Hunan Provincial Museum

Holiday Trip

WhisperSorcerers
Xixinan Ancient Village

A Complete Guide to the Hidden Gem Xixinan at the Foot of Huangshan Mountain for Summer Escapes

BlazeBrawler_456
Xixinan Ancient Village

Welcome to the free Enchanted Forest

AavaJ?rvinen
Huangshan Scenic Area

Huizhou Fish Lantern Festival Guide! 4 Must-Visit Spots for Ultimate Chinese Romance

DANICA STEPHENS
Hongcun Village

Hefei Departure! Five-Day Tour to Xixinan, Huangshan, Hongcun, and Taiping Lake.

旅游顾问小九