"The Last Secret of Jiangnan" | Songyang VOL.5 Xikeng Village.

Songyang County is known as "eight parts mountain, one part water, one part field." Established in the Han dynasty, it is home to over 100 ancient villages, 1,000 ancient buildings, 200 ancestral halls, 20 covered bridges, and 60 km of ancient roads. The "last secret of Jiangnan" is now known to the world. The ancient villages are home to guesthouses, cafes, restaurants, and bookstores that combine traditional architecture with modern design. Designers use cutting-edge concepts and techniques to preserve the original Jiangnan style, making Songyang a weekend getaway for people in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. There are two popular routes based on the distribution of ancient villages in Songyang: One is Songzhuang Village - Houwan Village - Youtian Village - Yangjiatang Village The other is Xikeng Village - Chenjiapu Village - Pingtian Village - Langshu Village VOL.5 Xikeng Xikeng Village is located on a 640-meter-high platform, facing east with a wide view of the valley. The Siduyuan River flows from north to south, bypassing the northeast of the village. An ancient post road built in the Northern Song dynasty runs through the village. The cobblestone roads crisscross, and the road network is still intact. The village has 21 ancient buildings from the Qing dynasty, including residential houses, ancestral halls, temples, and incense halls, as well as 40 residential houses from the Republic of China to the 1970s. These old houses blend with ancient trees and bamboo. Xikeng Village is also known as "Cloud House" because it is shrouded in clouds and mist for over 100 days a year. All these elements form a traditional ink landscape painting. Xikeng Village is also a famous photography destination in Zhejiang Province, known as "the most beautiful mountain village in China." However, the beautiful scenery and tranquil countryside have not brought much excitement to Xikeng. People prefer to stay in Chenjiapu, which is higher up the mountain. There are no tourists in Xikeng Village in the evening, only local villagers busy with their work. Many guesthouses in the village seem to have no guests.