Xixinan Ancient Village in Huangshan: A Secluded Paradise with Breathtaking Scenery

Step into a thousand-year-old time tunnel and explore the ancient and elegant dreamland of Xixinan Ancient Village in Huangshan City, Anhui Province. This is a truly unique journey that will capture your imagination and leave you yearning to visit. Nestled on the gentle south bank of the Fengle River, once known as Fengnan, this village whispers tales of time gone by. Backed by the majestic Mount Fengxing and facing the murmuring Fengle River, it unfolds before you like a captivating landscape painting. Xixinan is more than just a scenic spot; it's a rich historical tapestry. Since the Tang Dynasty, the village has flourished, reaching its peak during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Its economic prosperity and flourishing literary scene gave rise to a constellation of scholars and dignitaries. From the learned Wu Zimu of the Song Dynasty to the talented poet Wu Dingxin of the Yuan Dynasty, the profound scholar Wu Hai, the romantic poet Wu Kefeng, and the brilliant merchant Wu Yangchun of the Ming Dynasty, to the rigorous scholar Wu Yuanman, the bold poet Wu Qi, the calligrapher Wu Youhe, and the seal engraver Wu Feng of the Qing Dynasty, this land has nurtured countless talents and boasts a rich cultural heritage. Strolling through the ancient village is like stepping back in time. More than ten Ming Dynasty buildings and over a hundred Qing Dynasty residences stand in elegant disarray, exuding a timeless charm. Among them, the Laowu Pavilion and the Lürao Pavilion, listed as national key cultural relics protection units, stand as silent witnesses to the village's glorious past. Private gardens abound, and the remnants of orchards can still be seen, each whispering stories of bygone eras. The eight scenic wonders of Xixinan are particularly captivating. The "Ancient Tung Trees," strong and tall, have witnessed the passage of time; the "Meixi Study," filled with the fragrance of books, has nurtured countless talented individuals; the "Southern Mountain Emerald Screen," picturesque and serene, guards this tranquil land; the "Axis of Green Fields," with its idyllic scenery, soothes the soul; the "Clear Stream Reflecting the Moon," with its shimmering moonlight, adds a touch of poetry and romance; the "Western Ridge Hiding Clouds," shrouded in mist, resembles a fairyland; the "Bamboo Forest Phoenix Cry," with its rustling bamboo and whispering wind, offers a unique charm; and the "Mountain Spring Swelling," with its azure waters and picturesque boats, is a feast for the eyes. In 1498, the Jiangnan scholar Zhu Zhishan visited his uncle in Xixinan and was so moved by the eight scenic wonders that he composed a poem for each. The renowned scholar Tang Yunjia also left an inscription, and the Wu family engraved these poems onto stone tablets, which they placed in their homes. Although weathered by time, one tablet remains, preserved in the Xin'an Stele Garden in She County for future generations to admire. The Qing Dynasty painter Shi Tao was also inspired by Zhu Zhishan's poems and created eight landscape paintings, now housed in the Shanghai Museum, which have become treasured masterpieces. The Qing Dynasty scholar Hu Changgeng, deeply moved by his visit, also left behind poems about the eight scenic wonders of Fengxi, which are still recited today. Xixinan is more than just a tourist attraction; it's a living history textbook, a flowing landscape painting, and an eternal ode to humanity. Here, you can experience the weight of history, the depth of culture, and the wonders of nature. Come, let us step onto this ancient land, listen to her stories, and feel her charm, allowing our souls to soar freely through the long river of history.