[2025 Shitai Attraction] Travel Guide for Baishiling Photography and Sketching Base (Updated Aug)

As dawn breaks, a gauzy mist lingers. Standing on the winding mountain road at the foot of Guniu Peak in Shitai County, I gaze down at the valley below—whitewashed walls and black-tiled roofs nestle among the mountains, while a silvery stream winds through the village, its murmurs echoing through the valley. This is Baishiling, an ancient village settled here since the fourth year of the Hongwu era (1371) in the Ming Dynasty. Six hundred and forty-four years have quietly brushed past its horse-head gables, yet its unadorned beauty remains, like "a lotus rising from clear water, naturally free of artifice." Two towering ancient trees stand like guardians at the village entrance. The six-hundred-year-old oak requires four or five people to encircle its trunk, its branches forming a dense canopy overhead. Nearby, a two-hundred-year-old nanmu tree already exudes a glossy, upright dignity. The stone plaques on their trunks, issued by the Shitai County government, are like medals bestowed by time. Granny Shu leans against the tree and smiles: "Our ancestors planted these when they migrated from Xi'an—seventy-two generations ago!" The deep roots mirror the Shu family’s enduring presence here. Descending the stone-paved path beside the trees, a stone arch bridge spans the clear stream. The water is so transparent that the pebbles below appear polished like jade, while dark green waterweeds sway between the cracks. Crossing the bridge, a living Huizhou-style ink painting unfolds: faded walls, wild grass sprouting from tile seams, winding stone steps worn smooth by time and footsteps, and velvety moss carpeting the gaps. Most of the sixty-odd Ming and Qing-era houses now stand empty, yet wildflowers bloom defiantly amid crumbling walls—a poignant symbiosis of life and decay. Wandering the labyrinthine alleys, I stumble upon a deserted courtyard. On a half-collapsed wall, neglected potted plants stubbornly sprout new green; in the cracked stone pavement, a wild orchid quietly blooms. Touched by this resilience, I crouch to caress them—Baishiling’s six-century breath never falters, speaking through its flora the secret of perpetual vitality. On the western slope stands the village’s best-preserved relic: the Shu Family Ancestral Hall. Its three-courtyard layout hints at past grandeur. Though the rear stage has crumbled, standing in the front courtyard, one can almost hear the lingering melodies of Huangmei opera. "Village operas thrived here, and after Liberation, we even formed a touring Huangmei troupe," an elder reminisces, running his hand over the weathered pillars. Dust may obscure the hall’s carvings—phoenixes amid peonies, the "Three Friends of Winter"—but the artisans’ devotion still shines through. Baishiling’s origins are legendary. It began not as a village but as a mountain stronghold against bandits. The Shu ancestors, drawn by the white cliffs and rugged terrain, relocated here for its auspicious feng shui. They built watchtowers into the slopes for defense. Traces of prosperity linger in the walls, while unique customs like the "Dancing Horse Lantern" festival still animate major celebrations today, their drums dissolving six centuries in an instant. At the village’s eastern edge, I meet Uncle Shu returning from herb-gathering. Though he’s built a new house downhill, he climbs up daily. "Convenience below, peace above," he says, stroking his old doorframe like greeting an old friend. Only four households remain—elders like him, rooted to the land. At dawn, they push creaky wooden doors open, wash clothes by the stream, till terraced fields, and smoke pipes on their thresholds at dusk. A yellow dog curls at their feet as chimney smoke ribbons between horse-head gables, sketching the last silhouettes of China’s agrarian civilization. At the entrance, grandmothers sell fresh tea and dried bamboo shoots. Buying tea unlocks memories: "How lively it was! Bridal palanquins paraded down these flagstones, matchmakers louder than gongs..." Their eyes sparkle, illuminating wedding customs long past. While cities race toward efficiency, Baishiling’s elders still live by the sun’s rhythm, etching "slowness" into life’s every fold. This "hidden gem" has finally been discovered. In 2016, it became a photography and sketching base; in 2022, it joined China’s Traditional Villages list, prompting restoration. By 2023, upscale lodgings like "Origin Lodge" arrived—outwardly preserving antiquity, inwardly modern. Canadian visitor Julie marveled: "Here, you touch the soul of rural China." Cafés, bookshops, and revived intangible heritage performances now gently awaken the village. As dusk falls, I depart. Behind me, golden twilight gilds the village. The stream still sings its Ming-era song, while warm light from lodge windows softly illuminates new hopes. **Baishiling Travel Tips** *Transport*: 1.5-hour bus from Shitai County or drive to "Xinlian Village, Dayan Township, Shitai County" *Experiences*: Spring rapeseed terrace photography, autumn sketching, "Dancing Horse Lantern" festivals, selenium-rich mountain spring water *Dining/Lodging*: No commercial facilities; arrange farm meals in advance. Stay at "Origin Lodge" (renovated heritage houses) or rent a home (~¥1000/year) *Nearby*: Combine with Guniu Peak Scenic Area and Lotus Mountain’s Hundred Waterfalls

Here's a travel guide to Baisheling Village in Anhui: Pre-trip Preparation - Documents: Bring your ID card and other possible documents like student ID or senior citizen card for ticket purchases or discounts. - Clothing: Pack season-appropriate attire. In summer, bring lightweight, breathable clothes plus a thin jacket, along with swimwear for water activities. For spring/autumn, pack long-sleeved shirts and thin sweaters. Winter requires warm clothing like down jackets and thick scarves. - Essentials: Prepare sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, umbrellas or raincoats. - Medications: Bring common medicines like cold medicine, stomach medicine, motion sickness pills, mosquito repellent, and band-aids. Transportation Guide - Self-drive: From Chizhou city, take the De-Shang Expressway to County Road X029. The 1.5-hour drive can be navigated to "Shitai Baisheling" or "Baisheling Photography & Sketching Base". - Public transport: First reach Shitai Bus Station, then take the "Shitai-Dayang" bus to Xinlian Village, followed by a 2km walk. Alternatively, charter a car in Shitai for more convenience. Attractions - Ming-Qing Ancient Dwellings: Stroll through to admire exquisite wood, brick, and stone carvings, experiencing the unique charm of Huizhou architecture. - Viewing Platform: Located at the village's high point, perfect for panoramic shots of the ancient village surrounded by terraced fields. - Ancient Opera Stage: A masterpiece of Huizhou carved architecture, featuring elaborate engravings on beams, pillars, and brackets. - Ancient Ginkgo Tree: A thousand-year-old ginkgo at the village entrance, with golden leaves creating breathtaking autumn scenery. - Mountain Stream Stone Bridge: An ancient bridge over the stream, ideal for vintage-style photography. Food Recommendations - Qiupu Small River Fish: Tender flesh, delicious whether braised or steamed. - Shitai Yipin Pot: A stew of cured meat, dried bamboo shoots, tofu etc., cooked in earthen stoves. - Kudzu Dumplings: Made from kudzu root powder with a chewy texture, best served with chili sauce. Accommodation Options - Yunli Ju: Offers mountain views and beautiful scenery, letting you experience nature's tranquility. - Qiupu Xianju: Converted from ancient houses full of rustic charm, serving distinctive breakfasts.

You can always count on the autumn and winter scenery in southern Anhui! It is well known that Mount Guniu is the most famous scenic spot in Shitai County, but few people know that there is a place called Baishiling behind Mount Guniu. Baishiling consists of two small villages, both built on the mountain, with a staggered layout and a mountain village flavor. In the center of the village stands a Baishi Pavilion, which is not only a good place for villagers to rest, gather, chat, and cool off, but also one of the best places for photographers and painters to choose their scenes. But what really touched me were the two trees in the village, with lush branches and leaves, one all yellow and one all red, which looked very beautiful with the white walls and black tiles of the buildings. Baishiling is not commercialized and does not charge an entrance fee. Now that the highway in Shitai County is open, more and more homestays are springing up around. The one I stayed in is actually no different from the houses in the village, with a persimmon tree full of fruit at the door, called Banshan Yao. I like to live in such a village and spend a few days of leisurely life in the mountains.

Baishiling is an ancient natural village in southern Anhui located in Xinlian Village, Dayan Township, Shitai County, Chizhou City, Anhui Province. The ancient village is built on the mountain, and a stream runs through the village. Its history can be traced back to the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty (1371). It was migrated from the Shu family in Xi'an, and it has a history of more than 600 years. Baishiling has not been over-developed and promoted, but continues to maintain its original ecology. It is an ancient village in southern Anhui with well-preserved original ecology. The Hui-style residential buildings built on the mountain, the horse-head walls mottled by the years, the ancient houses with collapsed walls, and the familiar yet unfamiliar blacksmith shops and tofu shops, all retain traces of time. A thousand-year-old towering ancient tree is located at the entrance of the ancient village. The gurgling stream and the ancient trees growing in front of and behind the house are quiet and peaceful. At the foot of the mountain in Guniujiang, this is a rare Feng Shui treasure land. The ancient buildings of the Hui style, which are characterized by black tiles, white walls and horse-head walls, are built on the mountainside, lined up one after another, and hidden in the mountains, like an ink painting. Especially in the soft light of the early morning, Baishiling, which is surrounded by a layer of mist, is like a "paradise on earth".

In Hongcun in southern Anhui, people can appreciate the simple folk customs and well-preserved ancient buildings. However, not far from Hongcun, there is an ancient village that is almost isolated from the world - Baishiling. This village is low-key and inconspicuous, but it attracts people who are looking for tranquility with its unique charm. Low-key ancient village Baishiling is located in Shitai County. Compared with Hongcun, this village is more hidden. There are no eye-catching signs, no commercial propaganda, only signs along the road, silently pointing to this paradise. Even in the peak tourist season, the number of tourists in Baishiling is relatively small, there are no bustling crowds, only a few backpackers and photography enthusiasts visit occasionally. This low-key and hidden makes Baishiling retain a rare tranquility and original ecology. The villagers live a simple and peaceful life, farming, fishing, making handicrafts, and their daily lives coexist harmoniously with nature. This kind of non-competitive lifestyle attracts many people who are tired of the hustle and bustle of the city to come and find inner peace. Authentic ancient village style The architectural style of Baishiling is full of the characteristics of Huizhou architecture. White walls, black tiles, towering horse head walls, these typical elements can be found in Baishiling. Unlike many ancient villages that have been commercially developed, most of the buildings in Baishiling remain in their original appearance hundreds of years ago. The mottled walls and ancient stone roads all reveal traces of time. In addition, Baishiling has preserved many ancient traditions and handicrafts. Here, you can see traditional blacksmith shops, tofu shops and tea factories. The villagers use primitive tools and methods to make ironware, tofu and tea, inheriting hundreds or even thousands of years of craftsmanship. These authentic elements make Baishiling exude a unique ancient village style, making people feel as if they have traveled back to ancient times. The atmosphere of Baishiling is unique and charming. Compared with the bustle and commercialization of Hongcun, the tranquility and original ecology of Baishiling leave a deep impression. In this village, you can hear the sound of gurgling streams, the crisp chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects. These natural sounds interweave to form a beautiful symphony. The villagers are friendly and enthusiastic to tourists, and their smiles are full of sincerity and kindness. Here, you can feel the simple and sincere human touch. The villagers live in harmony with nature, and their respect and protection of the environment also impress tourists. This harmony between man and nature is an important part of the unique atmosphere of Baishiling. Slow-paced life In Baishiling, the pace of life seems to have slowed down. The villagers work from sunrise to sunset and live a peaceful life. They do not have too many material desires and are satisfied with a simple farming life. This peaceful lifestyle makes Baishiling an ideal place to relax and find inner peace. Tourists can experience the traditional lifestyle here, participate in farming, fishing and other activities, and feel the slow pace of life. This experience not only enriches the color of the journey, but also makes people cherish the simplicity and nature in life more. In short, Baishiling is a simple secret hidden outside Hongcun. This village is low-key and inconspicuous, retaining the original ancient village style and unique atmosphere. Here, you can feel the simple human touch and experience the slow-paced lifestyle, allowing your soul to relax and nourish. For those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and find inner peace, Baishiling is undoubtedly an ideal place.