Ink and Wash Painting Comes to Life

—A Complete Guide to Traveling in Hongcun Village "No dreams reach Huizhou, the place where I've been obsessed all my life," the poet Tang Xianzu's verse speaks to the beauty of Huizhou. And Hongcun Village is the most dazzling pearl among the ancient villages of Huizhou. Built during the Southern Song Dynasty, this ancient village is known as "a village in a Chinese painting" for its unique "ox-shaped" layout and well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. 1. Pre-trip Preparations Best time to travel: Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Hongcun, with pleasant weather and beautiful scenery. Spring is the season for blooming rapeseed flowers, and autumn is the season for colorful foliage, both ideal times for photography. Transportation: Hongcun is located in Yi County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, about 60 km from downtown Huangshan. You can take a tourist bus from Huangshan North Railway Station directly to Hongcun; the journey takes about 1.5 hours. Ticket information: Hongcun Scenic Area tickets are 104 CNY per person. Student IDs are eligible for a half-price discount. Accommodation recommendations: There are many unique guesthouses in Hongcun. It is recommended to stay inside the village for convenient sightseeing in the morning and evening, and to experience the tranquility and beauty of the ancient village. 2. Must-see Attractions South Lake: The "ox's belly" of Hongcun, a pool of clear water reflecting white walls and black tiles, is the iconic landscape of Hongcun. The morning mist makes it look like a fairyland, and the golden glow of the setting sun on the lake in the evening is breathtakingly beautiful. Moon Pond: The "ox's stomach" of Hongcun, a half-moon-shaped pond surrounded by ancient houses, with picturesque reflections, is a paradise for photography enthusiasts. Chengzhi Hall: The most luxurious residential building in Hongcun, known as the "Forbidden City of the People." Its exquisite wood carvings, brick carvings, and stone carvings are considered exemplary of Hui-style architecture. South Lake Academy: The cultural landmark of Hongcun, which has nurtured many scholars and writers. The academy has an antique charm and a rich scholarly atmosphere. Shuren Hall: The tallest building in Hongcun. From the top, you can overlook the beautiful scenery of the whole village and see the Huangshan mountain range in the distance. 3. Unique Experiences Sketching: Hongcun is a sketching base for many art academies, and students with easels can be seen everywhere. You can also pick up a brush and capture the beautiful scenery in front of you on paper. Tasting Huizhou cuisine: Hongcun has many specialty restaurants where you can taste Huizhou specialties such as stinky mandarin fish, hairy tofu, and Laba tofu. Night tour of Hongcun: Hongcun at night has a unique charm, with dimly lit lights and deep ancient alleys, as if traveling back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. 4. Travel Tips * The roads in Hongcun Scenic Area are mostly paved with stone slabs, so comfortable shoes are recommended. * Hongcun is highly commercialized, so be sure to compare prices when shopping. * Hongcun has a large number of tourists, so it is recommended to travel during off-peak seasons and avoid peak holiday periods. 5. Recommendations Nearby Xidi: Another famous ancient Huizhou village, known as "Home in the Peach Blossom Land" along with Hongcun. Huangshan: "Return from the Five Great Mountains, you'll see no other mountains; return from Huangshan, you'll see no other mountains." Huangshan is famous for its "Four Wonders": unique pines, grotesque rocks, sea of clouds, and hot springs. Hongcun is an ink and wash painting, a pastoral poem, and a spiritual baptism. Here, you can slow down, feel the passage of time, and savor the true meaning of life.