Come and visit the ancient villages in southern Anhui if you like them.

The southern Anhui region is famous for its beautiful natural scenery and profound Huizhou culture, making it an ideal destination for short trips. Recommended core attractions Huangshan Scenic Area As a world cultural and natural heritage site, Huangshan is famous for its "four wonders": oddly-shaped pines, grotesque rocks, sea of clouds, and hot springs. It is recommended to arrange a 2-day trip and stay overnight on the summit to watch the sunrise. Jade Screen Tower, Bright Summit, and Xihai Grand Canyon are must-visit routes. Hongcun and Xidi Ancient Villages Both are world cultural heritage sites with well-preserved Huizhou-style buildings. Hongcun is famous for its "ox-shaped water system" layout, while Xidi is known for its Hu Clan Ancestral Hall and stone archways. It is recommended to visit in the early morning to avoid the crowds. Xin'an River Landscape Gallery Take a boat down the river from Shexian Shendu Town to enjoy the white-walled and black-tiled houses and rapeseed flower fields on both sides (best in spring). The whole journey is about 60 km and is suitable for a half-day trip. Recommended special experiences Huizhou cuisine exploration Must-try dishes include stinky mandarin fish, hairy tofu, and braised dried bamboo shoots with pork. It is recommended to experience them in Tunxi Old Street or Yixian farmhouses, with an average consumption of about CNY 50–80 per person. Intangible cultural heritage experience Shexian Huimo ink production, Qimen black tea tasting, Xiuning Wan'an Luopan compass factory tours, and other craft projects are suitable for cultural enthusiasts to participate in deeply. Hiking and photography routes Tachuan Autumn Colors (best in November), Yangchan Earth Buildings, Muli Pit Cloud Village, and other niche attractions are suitable for self-driving or backpacking exploration. Practical travel tips Transportation Huangshan North Station is a high-speed rail hub. It is recommended to rent a car (CNY 300–400 per day) or take a tourist bus between scenic spots. Be careful when driving as there are many curves on the mountain roads. Accommodation options Tangkou Town is suitable for budget accommodation (CNY 100–200/night). Boutique homestays in Hongcun are more expensive (CNY 300–600). Hotels on the top of Huangshan need to be booked 1 month in advance. Best season The rapeseed flower season in April–May and the autumn color season in September–November are the peak tourist seasons. You can escape the summer heat in July–August, but there is a lot of rain, so you need to prepare non-slip shoes.