Guocun Village, Huangshan: A Timeless Secret Hidden Along the Ancient Path

“At sunset, the shimmering waves reflect each other, and travelers seem to be in Wuling Creek.” This secret realm described by a Ming Dynasty poet perfectly captures the true essence of Guocun Village in Huangshan. Nestled between the west gate of Huangshan and Hongcun, this ancient village rests against the Lailong Mountain and embraces the Heng River, preserving a millennium of history along the veins of the Taiyi Ancient Path.

Guocun was historically known as "Gucheng." Due to its location at the junction of three prefectures, it was once a bustling post station on the Huizhou merchants' ancient route. Although the prosperous scene of “a thousand stoves and ten thousand households” during the Ming and Qing dynasties has long passed, it left behind precious historical relics. More than 40 ancient residences line the Heng River, with white walls and black-tiled horse-head walls arranged neatly under the sunlight. The wooden carved window lattices bear the marks of time. Three ancient bridges span the streams, and the Heng River, renovated during the Qianlong era, serves both irrigation and defense purposes, still nourishing the life on both banks today. The Guanyin Pavilion in the village stands solemn and majestic, while the bridge pavilion and plaza witness the daily lives of generations of villagers.

Walking on the bluestone paths, time seems to slow down. In spring, fields of rapeseed bloom golden, turning the ancient village into a painting; in autumn, ginkgo leaves carpet the ground, crunching crisply underfoot. The maple and poplar wetland resembles a green carpet, where elderly villagers occasionally weave bamboo baskets or bask in the sun, creating the most charming pastoral scene. The village history museum’s stone tablets and artifacts quietly tell the story of the Lin family ancestors fleeing turmoil and resettling, and the three prefectures’ guild halls welcoming travelers to rest. The September Zhou King Temple Fair continues the ancient folk customs’ lingering charm.

Today’s Guocun Village retains its ancient charm while adding new vitality. Restored ancient residences have been revitalized, solar street lamps illuminate the ancient paths, and the ecological agricultural park’s Huangshan Maofeng tea and cold-pressed oil fragrance waft far and wide. Without the noise of commercialization, only villagers drying goods, children playing, and the stream’s joyful singing remain, making it a sought-after “slow life” destination for urban dwellers.

From an ancient post station to a timeless secret, Guocun Village has never lost its essence. Here, every brick and tile holds a story, and every breeze carries poetry, waiting for travelers to come and understand its thousand-year melody.

Post by GARRETT OSBORNE | Oct 18, 2025