Xidi Village
Located 8 kilometers east of Yi County town seat in Huangshan City, Anhui Province, Xidi Village is a beautifully preserved ancient settlement that has earned a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its name, “Xidi,” means “passing to the west” – a reference to the two rivers that flow westward around the village instead of eastward.
A Self‑Contained Mountain Haven
Nestled among mountains – Mount Luo in front, Mount Yangjian behind, Mount Shishi to the north, and Mount Tianma to the south – Xidi enjoys a scenic, resource‑rich environment. For centuries, its inhabitants lived with little outside disturbance, preserving ancient customs and earning the reputation of “lucky folks of an utopian land.”
The village covers 12.96 hectares, with three streams flowing from the east and north, merging south of the village. A main street and two waterside roads form a slab‑stone paved network that expands north and south. The harmonious integration of lanes, waterways, and brick‑and‑log houses – adorned with exquisite wood, stone, and brick carvings – showcases the genius of ancient southern Anhui residential design.
Main Attractions in Xidi Village
| Attraction | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Archway of Hu Wen‑guang | Erected 1578 (Ming Dynasty). Honored a native son who became a Grade IV official. The only archway remaining in Xidi. |
| Jing Ai Hall | The largest ancestral shrine in Xidi, originally a Ming‑dynasty residence, later rebuilt in Qing as a clan shrine. Covers 1,800 m². |
| Zhui Mu Hall | Built 1794 to commemorate the Hu clan’s ancestors and the historical link between the Li and Hu families. |
| Kuang Gu Zhai | A grand Qing‑dynasty courtyard house with well‑preserved “Three Carvings” (brick, wood, stone). |
| Rui Yu Courtyard | A typical Huizhou merchant’s residence from the Qing Dynasty, located at Henglu Street entrance. |
| Garden of Peach and Plum | The family mansion of Hu Yuan‑xi, a wealthy Hui merchant. Features a 3‑room, 3‑court, 2‑story layout with an innovative central opening for light and ventilation. |
| West Garden & East Garden | West Garden: former home of Grade IV official Hu Wen‑zhao, with three courts separated by low walls. East Garden: built ~260 years ago, with a delicate gate inscribed “East Garden.” |
| Ying Fu Hall | Residence of Hu Shang‑zeng, the highest‑ranking official from Xidi (Grade II in Qing Dynasty). Built during Emperor Kangxi’s reign (1662–1722), 3‑court, 3‑story. |
| Dun Ren Hall | Built for Hu Guan‑san, the top Hui merchant in Xidi and one of “the six richest men in southern China.” Located by the front stream. |
| Shang De Hall | Over 400 years old (Ming Dynasty) – the oldest surviving hall in Xidi. Name means “Virtue Hall.” |
| Stream Villa | A scenic folk villa along Rear Stream, originally part of the Maoxiu (Diligent Cultivation) Hall, built for leisure and study. |
Why Visit Xidi?
•UNESCO World Heritage site (together with Hongcun)
•Over 400 years of continuous architectural history (Ming & Qing dynasties)
•Masterpieces of Huizhou “Three Carvings” – brick, wood, and stone
•Less commercialized than Hongcun, offering a quieter, more authentic experience
•Perfect for photographers, history lovers, and travelers seeking old China
Xidi Village is not just a collection of old buildings – it is a living museum of Huizhou merchant culture, Confucian family values, and traditional Feng Shui planning. A visit here is a step back into an ancient Chinese utopia.
