World Cultural Heritage | Model of Hui-style Architecture | A Countryside in Ink Painting

As a traveler who once waited by the Moon Pond for the morning mist to clear and listened to the rain while reading at Nanhu Academy, I write for you — "Hongcun Travel Guide | Step into the Painted Countryside, Experience a Millennium Dream in Ink-Wash Southern Anhui"---

> "It is not hidden in a remote mountain secret, yet it lies at the foot of Huangshan Mountain; > It is not a palace or temple, yet it is called 'China’s Painted Countryside'; > This is **Hongcun** — > an ancient Hui-style village with a history of 900 years, > a UNESCO-certified **World Cultural Heritage** site, > and in the hearts of Chinese people, the most beautiful embodiment of Jiangnan."---

Geographical Overview | What You Must Know About Hongcun - ✅ Location: Hongcun Town, Yi County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province - ✅ Founded: Southern Song Dynasty, Shaoxing Era (1131 AD) - ✅ Core Area: About 0.2 square kilometers (walkable in full) - ✅ Best Tags: **World Cultural Heritage | Model of Hui-style Architecture | Countryside in Ink Painting | Film Shooting Location**

This is a wise ancient village with a "**Bull-shaped Water System Layout**" — the mountain is the bull’s head, trees are the horns, bridges are the legs, houses are the body, and water channels are the intestines, flowing unceasingly for a thousand years---

Four Core Attractions
1. 【Moon Pond | The Village’s Eye】 - A crescent-shaped pond in the village center, surrounded by houses on all sides - Often shows a "**mirror reflection**" in the early morning, with white walls and black tiles appearing like a painting - The most iconic check-in spot in Hongcun ---
2. 【Nanhu Lake | Small Bridges, Flowing Water, and Homes】 - An artificial lake in the south of the village, shaped like a bow and arrow, symbolizing "drawing a bow to shoot the enemy" - Six-arched stone bridge on the lake, one of the filming locations of the movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Classic scene: Yu Jiaolong and Li Mubai confront each other here ---
3. 【Chengzhi Hall | The Folk Forbidden City】 - Residence of late Qing Dynasty salt merchant Wang Dinggui, built over five years - Exquisite carved beams and painted rafters, with peak craftsmanship in three types of carving (wood, brick, stone) - Contains woodcarving "Hundred Children Celebrating Lantern Festival" and mural "Tang Suzong Entertaining Officials" ---
4. 【Nanhu Academy | The Spiritual Home of Scholars】 - Built in the Qing Dynasty, once a place for clan members to study - Now a cultural exhibition hall showcasing the educational traditions of Huizhou - Quiet courtyard, swaying bamboo shadows, perfect for sitting quietly and meditating ---

Special Experiences | Five Irreplaceable Poetic Lifestyles
1. 【Wait for the Mist to Clear in the Early Morning】 - Arrive before 6:00 AM at Moon Pond to see the morning mist gently covering the water - White walls and black tiles faintly visible, like a dream - Occasionally encounter villagers washing clothes or feeding ducks, full of life atmosphere ---
2. 【Stay a Night in an Old House Homestay】 - Recommended to choose boutique homestays converted from century-old houses - Open the window to see water, listen to rain at night, hear birds in the morning Popular recommendations: - 【Shilili · Mountain Wilderness】 High-end design - 【Imperial Guard】 Popular on social media - 【Houtang Manor】 Private and elegant environment ---
3. 【Shoot a Hanfu Photoshoot】 - Hongcun is one of the most popular Hanfu travel photography destinations nationwide - Moon Pond, Nanhu Lake, and alleys all make great backdrops 📷 Shooting tips: - Outfit suggestions: plain long dresses, oil-paper umbrellas, round fans - Best time: early morning or dusk, avoid harsh midday light ---
4. 【Explore Nearby Ancient Villages】 - **Tachuan Village**: One of China’s four great autumn scenes, famous for red leaves - **Lu Village**: Known for its "wood-carved buildings," quieter than Hongcun - **Xidi Village**: Another World Heritage site, with a strict and solemn layout ---
5. 【Savor a Cup of Huizhou Tea | Slow Down】 - Sit at a teahouse by Nanhu Lake and brew a cup of **Huangshan Maofeng** or **Qimen Black Tea** - Pair with local snacks: Huizhou rice cakes, osmanthus cakes, and rice candy. The shop owner often says, "No matter how far you travel, nothing beats sitting down for a cup of tea."---

Food Recommendations | The Taste of Huizhou on Your Palate |
**Stinky Mandarin Fish** | "Smells bad, tastes delicious," the signature dish of Huizhou cuisine || **Fermented Tofu** | Pan-fried fermented tofu, crispy outside and tender inside || **Laba Tofu** | Sun-dried, salty and chewy || **Braised Bamboo Shoots with Pork** | Spring bamboo shoots dried and stewed with pork belly, delicious with rice || **Stone Ear Mushroom Scrambled Eggs** | Mountain mushrooms, fragrant and tender || **Huizhou Rice Wine** | Homemade low-alcohol wine, sweet and warming |---

> When you sit by Moon Pond, > watching the last ray of sunset illuminate the silhouette of the horse-head walls, > the whole village falls silent, > a breeze blows, a few leaves gently fall, > at that moment, > you know — > this is not just a view, > it is an echo of life, > a tender love letter left by the ancients to us today.---

I always believe "True poetry is not far away, but in the moment you are willing to stop in a small town."

May you, on some morning, stand on the arch bridge over Nanhu Lake, watching the morning mist slowly disperse, and at that moment, finally understand: what we call home is simply — our willingness to enter a strange village, just to gain that instant of peace where the heart settles with the passage of time.