Chengkan, a Hui-style Secret Where Time Stands Still

📍 Overview Located in Huizhou District, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, Chengkan was built during the Eastern Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period, boasting a history of over 1,800 years. It is the only ancient village in China laid out according to the principles of Bagua (Eight Trigrams) Feng Shui, earning it the title of "China's No. 1 Feng Shui Village." The village preserves more than 130 ancient buildings from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, including the Baolun Pavilion (known as the "First Ancestral Hall of China") and the rare "Two National Treasures in One Village" (Luo Dongshu Ancestral Hall and Chengkan Ancient Architecture Complex). 🎫 Ticket Information - Adult: ¥107 (includes main attractions) - Discounted: ¥60 (students/seniors/military personnel) - Free: Children under 1.2m, seniors over 70 (Anhui residents) - Opening Hours: 7:30 AM–5:30 PM (recommended visit: 3–4 hours) 🚗 Transportation Guide - High-speed rail: Arrive at Huangshan North Station, then transfer to a tourist shuttle bus (~40 minutes) - Self-drive: Navigate to "Chengkan Scenic Area," ~2 hours from Hefei/Huangshan - Internal transport: Walk or take a sightseeing cart for some sections 📝 Highlights (1-Day Immersive Itinerary) Morning: Explore the Heart of the Bagua Village 1. Yongxing Lake (entrance area, with reflections of white walls and black tiles; lotus blooms in summer) 2. Luo Dongshu Ancestral Hall (Baolun Pavilion) (peak of Ming Dynasty architecture, golden nanmu beams + painted ceilings) 3. Changchun She (Song Dynasty land temple, oldest sacrificial building in Huizhou) 4. Huanxiu Bridge (Yuan Dynasty bridge with a pavilion for rest and views) Afternoon: Maze-like Alleys & Ancient Houses 1. Yanyi Hall (three-story Ming "high-rise," epitome of Hui-style architecture) 2. Luo Runkun Residence (intricately carved windows/doors + "beauty's seat," a classic merchant's home) 3. Autumn Harvest Square (seasonal display of colorful crops in fall) 4. Longxing Bridge (Ming Dynasty single-arch stone bridge, offering panoramic village views) 🌅 Unmissable Experiences - 6 AM: Mist envelops the village; Yongxing Lake looks like a fairyland—perfect for photography. - Afternoon light: Wander the "99 Alleys" to capture the interplay of light on horse-head walls and stone paths. - Overnight stay: Book a homestay (e.g., Shudetang, Shudetang) to experience Huizhou's tranquility at night. 🏡 Accommodation Recs 1. Shudetang (lakeside Hui-style homestay with lotus ponds) 2. Shudetang (renovated Ming-era residence for immersive stays) 3. Chengkan farm stays (budget-friendly, authentic Hui cuisine) 🍜 Must-Try Foods - Hairy tofu (crispy outside, tender inside) - Stinky mandarin fish (fermented flavor, tender meat) - Stone griddle cakes (crispy traditional snack) 💡 Tips - Best seasons: - Spring (Mar–May): Rapeseed flowers frame the village. - Autumn (Sep–Nov): Harvest displays + cool weather for hiking. - Guide recommended: Alleys are maze-like; hire an official guide (¥30) or download an audio guide. - Nearby attractions: - Qiankou Folk Houses (8 km, "Hui Architecture Museum") - Tangmo Village (12 km, iconic water gardens) 📜 Closing Note "Visit Chengkan, and life will be smooth." This millennia-old Bagua village, with its white walls, black tiles, and winding alleys, whispers Huizhou's best-kept secrets. While Hongcun bustles with crowds, Chengkan remains pristine and poetic—as if time pauses here, waiting for you to explore.