The Wizard of Oz! Stay in a Secluded Courtyard in an Ancient Village of Huangshan, Anhui

✨ **The Wizard of Oz! Stay in a Secluded Courtyard in an Ancient Village of Huangshan, Anhui🌿**

📍 **Xixinan Ancient Village | A Real-Life Wizard of Oz | Free & Hidden Gem**

Finally found my dream village! Nestled at the foot of Huangshan Mountain, this thousand-year-old ancient village feels like a fairy tale come to life—a "Wizard of Oz" with fewer crowds, stunning scenery, and no entrance fee. It’s the perfect escape!

🌿 **A Real-Life Wizard of Oz, Breathtakingly Beautiful**

Stepping into Xixinan, you’re immediately surrounded by lush greenery! The 4-kilometer-long poplar forest🌳 at the village entrance is dense and vibrant, with sunlight filtering through the leaves, casting dappled shadows. A babbling stream flows beneath wooden bridges, making every photo look like a forest fantasy!

📸 **Must-Visit Spots**:
✅ **The Iconic Wooden Bridge**—Standing here feels like stepping into a fairy tale, with mesmerizing reflections!
✅ **Poplar Forest Wetland**—Stroll along the stream, listen to birdsong, and spot egrets—pure serenity~
✅ **Ming & Qing Dynasty Alleys**—Cobblestone paths and weathered horse-head walls, each corner whispers tales of time.

🏡 **Stay in a Century-Old Huizhou Courtyard & Embrace Slow Living**

This time, I chose a homestay called **"Shilili Weiyan Mansion"**, said to be renovated from the ancestral home of Zhu Zhishan! Open the window to the poplar forest, wake up to birdsong at dawn, and enjoy tea and books in the courtyard at dusk—a true sense of secluded tranquility.

✨ **Homestay Highlights**:
- Traditional Huizhou architecture with carved wooden windows and skywell courtyards, full of charm
- Just steps away from the poplar forest—perfect for capturing the misty morning scenery📷

🍃 **Off-the-Beaten-Path Experiences: Dive into Village Life**

Compared to the commercialized Hongcun and Xidi, Xixinan remains raw and authentic, where villagers still live by the rhythms of nature.

🌟 **Recommended Experiences**:
- **Morning Walks**—At 6 AM, the village is shrouded in mist, like an ink-wash painting.
- **Streamside Play**—In summer, wade in the water or catch tiny fish—great for kids!
- **Explore Laowu Pavilion**—A Ming Dynasty building with an upper hall and "Beauty’s Seat," steeped in history.

🚗 **Transport & Travel Tips**

📍 **Address**: Xixinan Town, Huizhou District, Huangshan City (Navigate to "Xixinan Ancient Village Parking Lot")
🚄 **High-Speed Rail**: A 10-minute taxi ride from Huangshan North Station—super convenient!
🎫 **Admission**: Free! Free! Free! (Can’t say it enough!)
⏰ **Best Season**: April to September, when greenery peaks, and summer offers a cool retreat.

Here, time seems to stand still. No tourist crowds—just the sound of the stream, rustling leaves, and occasional chirps of chickens and dogs. Sitting by the river at dusk, watching villagers return home, I finally understood the meaning of "peaceful days."

If you’re tired of overcrowded attractions, spend a couple of days in Xixinan and let your soul unwind~