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    Hongcun, China



    Hongcun village.


    Hongcun was established in the Song Dynasty and flourished during the Ming and Qing dynasties when it became a centre for trade. Most of the buildings from this period still exist in the village today.

    Several significant buildings are open to the public. Of these Chengzhi Hall (承志堂; Chéngzhì Táng) is the grandest. The sign at the front calls it the 'Folk Imperial Palace'. Its diminutive size may fall short of that onerous title it offers a much of interest. Chengzhi Hall was built by a wealthy salt merchant to accommodate his two wives. Throughout, wooden beams and wall panels are decorated with intricate carvings of nature, Chinese mythology or scenes from Qing dynasty life. Many are gilded in gold.

    The red army used the hall to accommodate troops during the long march leaving a few, now fading, yellow ‘Long live Mao’ slogans painted on the walls.

    The village layout is said to take the shape of an Ox or the Chinese character for cow (牛; Niú). Leigang Hill at the west end of the village is the head, two huge trees are the horns and the village forms the body. The canal system functions as its intestines. The central half-moon Yuezhao (月沼; Yuèzhăo) pond is the stomach and the larger South Lake the abdomen. The four bridges spanning the Jiyin stream at the front and rear of the village represent the Ox’s legs.

    The villages’ intestinal network of canals runs past the front yard of each house, fed by water diverted from Jilin stream which originates from a spring in the hillside behind the village.

    Admission to the village is ¥104. (11/2015) The ticket is valid for several days and must be show whenever leaving or entering the village. Don’t lose it.

    Get in

    Hongcun is 85km from Tunxi (屯溪; Túnxī) and 11 km from Yixian (黟县; Yīxiàn) by a good sealed road through some very nice rural scenery.

    From Tunxi: Busses leave from the main bus station: (every hour; 6am-4pm; ¥17.5 as of May 12) drops you off at the Hongcun entrance. Busses pass through Xidi so you could stop off in Xidi and can catch an onward but to Hongcun from the road (regular; ¥3; 20mins). An hourly bus leaves from the new Huangshan North station (¥30), a taxi from the station to Hongcun would be around ¥160 as of November 2015.

    From Yixian: Green mini-buses leave from the main bus station. (When it’s full; ¥2; 20mins) A taxi to Hongcun might cost ¥20 or so.

    Get around

    The village is quite small and reasonably flat. Hongcun’s myriad of short, narrow, cobblestone paved lanes make walking not only the best but the only way to get around.

    While the prospect of getting lost wandering in the narrow lanes doesn’t sound bad, all roads inevitably lead back to the central Yuezhao Pond or the South Lake. If you do find yourself lost just keep turning left and if you end up back in the same place, make a right.

    What to See in Hongcun

    A day can be spent walking randomly about the villages maze like lanes but there are some interesting sights to see along the way. A few may (or may not) require an admission fee but most are free.

    South Lake. An artificial lake built during the Ming Dynasty wraps itself around the front of the village in the shape of an archers bow. A long stone bridge crossing the lake provides and elegant entry to the village and is a great spot to take in the beautiful view of the village and hills reflected in the water. The South Lake College is located on the lake edge next to the bridge.

    Chengzhi Hall. Built during the late Qing Dynasty this hall belonged to a rich salt merchant. The entire hall has nine open roofed yards with more than 60 rooms. Not all rooms are open but there is plenty to see as you may still walk freely around the main areas. The supporting beams of one room are constructed in the shape of the Chinese character for ‘Luck’ (福; Fú). Almost all wooden beams and wall panels are decorated with carvings of nature, Chinese mythology or scenes from Qing dynasty life. The open roofed yards let the light in and gaps in and the stone floors let the rain out.

    What to Do in Hongcun

    The hillside behind the village can be a pleasant place for a walk among the trees and bamboo. Most eastward lanes end here so just pick one and head for the hills.

    Eat

    The local specialty is preserved vegetable (雪菜; Xuĕcài) and is used in almost everything. Though quite tasty it can be a bit salty.

    A local style crispy flat bread (饼; Bĭng) filled with preserved vegetable are readily available from elderly women with their portable drum ovens throughout the village. (¥2)

    Restaurants in the village can be expensive and have limited options if you don’t require a banquet. The usual vegetable or meat dishes with rice can be had for ¥15-¥20 per plate but expect to have the proprietor firmly recommend some ‘local fish’ dish not on the menu that will run you ¥100+.

    More budget oriented diners should head to the small noodle places outside of the village near the south bridge where a good bowl of noodles will cost ¥4-¥5. Baozi with various meat or vegetable fillings are sometimes available, usually only in the mornings, for ¥1 or less.

    Sleep

    Technically, non-Chinese are forbidden from sleeping in the village and are required to stay at the government run hotel outside the village.

    A much better option is to wander around the village with your backpack on, perhaps around the south lake, and wait for some friendly local to furtively usher you into their home. Quickly they will offer you to stay in one of their clean doubles for around ¥80-¥100 per night. Air-conditioning is provided in the winter but you may have to pay extra. They may ask you to stay only one night and find another friendly local tomorrow.

    Go next

    Xidi is a nearby village similar to Hongcun. Tourist buses heading to Tunxi pass through Xidi (Whenever; ¥3; 20mins) or you could take a taxi for ¥20.

    Tunxi (Huangshan) is a 45 min to 1hour minibus ride away from Tangkou(20 ¥) the starting point for trips to Huangshan. It has bus and rail connections. The tourist bus leaves Hongcun from the main entrance carpark whenever the driver feels like it. (Whenever; ¥13, 2.5hrs)

    Yixian is a transport hub with nothing else of interest. The main bus station has services to just about everywhere in the province. Green mini-buses from Hongcun leave from outside the village near the south bridge. (When it’s full; ¥2; 20mins) A taxi to Yixian should cost around ¥20. (Wikivoyage)

    See also Hongcun in Pictures.




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