Between Bishan Bookstore and Cloud Gate Tower, discover the poetry and idyllic charm of Huizhou.

📍Location: Bishan is located in Biyang Town, Yi County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province. It is nestled against the southern foothills of Mount Huangshan, bordering the Yi County basin, with the Jianxi River flowing through the village. This is one of the important birthplaces of Huizhou culture. Compared to famous ancient villages like Hongcun and Xidi, Bishan is more tranquil and rustic, known as the "last hidden paradise of Huizhou." 🚗Getting There: By car, it takes about 1 hour from downtown Huangshan City. Navigate to "Bishan Village." There is parking space at the village entrance, and you can walk into the ancient village. By public transport, take a bus from Huangshan City Bus Station to Yi County (about 1 hour), then transfer to a local taxi (about 15 minutes). 👍️Must-See Attractions: [One] Bishan Bookstore: Converted from the Qing Dynasty ancestral hall "Qitai Hall," it was named "China's Most Beautiful Bookstore" by CNN. The courtyard rainfall, retro bookshelves, second-floor cafe (not open when there are few tourists), and village views create a poetic space. There is also a cafe on the first floor (consumption required), perfect for buying a book on Huizhou culture and enjoying a cup of coffee. [Two] Cloud Gate Tower: Built in 1782, this 36.4-meter-high hexagonal tower with wind chimes hanging from the eaves was once a spiritual symbol of the Wang clan's "smooth path to success." The tower is now slightly tilted and climbing is prohibited, but you can stroll around it and listen to the symphony of wind chimes and fields. [Three] Peiyun Garden: The former residence of Wang Bo, a famous minister of the Southern Song Dynasty. The garden's name is taken from "cultivating the integrity of bamboo." The remaining rockery and stone carvings tell the story of the owner's turbulent official career and generous character. [Four] Niuquan Cafe: An artistic space converted from a cowshed, adjacent to the bookstore. The "Bishan Latte" is recommended, paired with local delicacies like crispy tofu skin or chestnut braised chicken. [Five] Ming and Qing Dynasty Ancient Residential Houses: Over 100 well-preserved Huizhou-style buildings, featuring horse-head walls, carved window lattices, and stone-paved alleys, perfect for photography. 🎟️Tickets: Bishan Village is free to enter. Some attractions, such as the bookstore cafe, require purchases. Open all day, the recommended visiting time is half a day to a full day. Visiting after dark is not recommended. 💗Other Tips: Bishan is the settlement of the Wang clan, with a history predating Hongcun. It was the capital of Shezhou during the Sui Dynasty and later relocated due to war. The Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai traveled here and left the famous line, "Ask me why I dwell in Bishan, I smile without answering, my heart at ease," which testifies to its secluded nature since ancient times. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Wang clan focused on farming and studying, and the Yunmen Academy cultivated many scholars. The ancient tower and academy bear witness to the tradition of "promoting the clan through education." March to May is the season of rapeseed flower fields, and October to November offers picturesque autumn scenery, both ideal times to visit. For accommodation, many guesthouses in the village are converted from old houses, offering an immersive experience of Huizhou courtyard culture. Bishan is a "living museum," where ancestral halls, ancient towers, and bookstores carry the essence and soul of Huizhou culture. Here, time seems to stretch, and history and modernity engage in a silent dialogue between rice paddies and book pages. If you are tired of the hustle and bustle, come to Bishan, listen to the wind chimes, read old books, drink mountain tea, and find your own "peach blossoms and flowing water fading away, a separate world beyond the mundane."