An In-Depth Guide to Southern Anhui’s Must-See Scenic Spots

🗺️ Southern Anhui 2-Day Tour | Classic Combo of Hongcun, Xidi, and the Foot of Huangshan・Suitable for All Groups

Introduction

Two days immersed in Southern Anhui! Take your parents to admire white walls and black tiles in Huizhou-style ancient villages, accompany friends to chase clouds and mist over mountain terraces, bring kids to catch fish and shrimp by the stream, with horse-head walls reflecting rapeseed flowers and smoke mingling with tea fragrance—your whole family can find poetry in this ink-wash Jiangnan scenery~

🗓️ Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Hongcun → Tachuan → Qishu Lake
Day 2: Xidi → Lucun Wood Carving Building → Return

Daily Detailed Plan

🏡 Day 1: Village in a Painting · Landscape Scroll
📍 Hongcun (5A, Admission 104 RMB/person)
Highlights: "A village in a Chinese painting," with iconic sights like Moon Pond and South Lake. Huizhou architecture features horse-head walls and staggered courtyards. Elders can learn about the village’s history, kids can chase cats in the alleys.
🕙 Opening Hours: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM, recommended to arrive by 8 AM (to avoid tour groups)
💰 Discounts: Free admission for seniors over 60 and children under 1.2 meters
📸 Photo Spot: North shore of Moon Pond (capture white walls and black tiles reflected in the water, best in early morning mist)
💡 Tips: The village is small and walkable; for elders, stick to the main path (flat, no steps)
🍖 Recommended Dining: “Deyuelou” in Hongcun, must-try stinky mandarin fish (mildly spicy) and Mao tofu; non-spicy braised bamboo shoots with pork for kids, about 60 RMB per person

📍 Tachuan (Admission 40 RMB/person)
Highlights: A popular spot for autumn red leaves and spring rapeseed flower terraces. Take atmospheric portraits under the ancient maple tree at the village entrance. Elders can sunbathe on stone steps, kids run along the ridges.
🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM, best visited in March-April or October-November
📸 Photo Spot: Village entrance of Tachuan (capture people with ancient maple and terraces)
💡 Tips: Taxi from Hongcun costs 10 RMB, about 30 minutes on foot (suitable for young people)

📍 Qishu Lake (Free)
Highlights: A highland lake near Hongcun with emerald water. Morning mist creates a fairyland atmosphere. Walk along the lake, elders can sit on benches to enjoy the view, kids can watch water birds.
🕙 Recommended visit in the evening (sunset over the lake is stunning)
📸 Photo Spot: Lakeside wooden boardwalk (capture people with lake and mountain scenery, wear light-colored clothes for photos)
🏨 Accommodation Recommendation: Huizhou-style guesthouses inside Hongcun scenic area with courtyard patios, tea and scenic views, 5 minutes walk to Moon Pond, priced 300-500 RMB/night (breakfast included)

🏞️ Day 2: Ancient Village Exploration · Wood Carving Art
📍 Xidi (5A, Admission 104 RMB/person)
Highlights: "Museum of Ming and Qing ancient residences," featuring exquisite archways and the Grand Official’s Residence. Brick and stone carvings are everywhere. Elders can listen to Huizhou merchant stories, kids can find small animal carvings on doorways.
🕙 Opening Hours: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
💰 Discounts: Same as Hongcun
📸 Photo Spot: In front of Hu Wenguang Archway (capture people with the ancient archway, wearing a qipao matches well)
💡 Tips: Free guided tours at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM, more fun to join

📍 Lucun Wood Carving Building (Admission 50 RMB/person)
Highlights: Famous for exquisite wood carvings like “Nine Fish and Lotus” and “Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea.” Called the "Palace of Wood Carving Art." Elders can admire craftsmanship details, kids can count the carved figures.
🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
📸 Photo Spot: Zhicheng Hall Wood Carving Room (capture people with carved beams showcasing craftsmanship)
🍖 Recommended Dining: “Gengdu Renjia” in Lucun, must-try Hu Shi hot pot (meat and vegetable combo) and Huizhou Mao tofu, about 50 RMB per person
💡 Tips: Taxi from Xidi costs 15 RMB, the village is small and can be toured in 1 hour

✨ Southern Anhui Survival Guide

1️⃣ Transportation: Buses run from Hefei/Huangshan city to Hongcun (about 2 hours, 50 RMB/person); taxi from Hongcun to Xidi costs 30 RMB (20 minutes); walking is enough inside ancient villages, for elders guesthouses can help call taxis.
2️⃣ Clothing: Spring (March-May) wear light jackets and long sleeves (cool mornings and evenings, foggy mountains); Summer (June-August) wear short sleeves and long pants (mosquito protection), bring sun hats; Autumn (September-November) wear sweatshirts and jackets; Winter (December-February) wear down jackets (wet and cold in mountains).
3️⃣ Taboos: Do not touch wood or brick carvings inside ancient residences (fragile); do not step on door thresholds (local custom, considered disrespectful); be careful taking photos by the lake and watch children closely.
4️⃣ Accommodation: Guesthouses inside Hongcun/Xidi scenic areas offer strong local experience; if self-driving, stay in Yixian county town (cost-effective, 200-300 RMB/night); choose ground-floor rooms for elders (less stairs).

🛍️ Must-Buy Souvenirs

① Huizhou Sesame Cake (15 RMB/bag, with preserved vegetable filling, crispy and savory, loved by elders and kids)
② Huangshan Maofeng Tea (80-200 RMB/jin, fragrant pre-Qingming tea, great gift for elders)
③ Huizhou-style Wood Carving Ornaments (50-100 RMB each, antique architectural patterns, meaningful souvenirs)
④ Kudzu Root Powder (30 RMB/bag, natural health product, can be brewed or cooked)

Closing Interaction

Southern Anhui’s ancient villages hold stories of time, with faint tea fragrance drifting between mountains and waters. If you come here, would you most want to take your parents to watch the morning mist by Moon Pond, or accompany your kids chasing butterflies on the ridges?