Experience the ancient charm of Xidi, a place where time and emotions intertwine.

Xidi Complete Guide | Travel through Ming and Qing Dynasties' ancient charm, and explore the treasures of Huizhou culture I. Introduction to Xidi Located in Yi County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, Xidi was built in the Northern Song Dynasty and has a history of more than 900 years. It is one of the representative Hui-style ancient villages. In 2000, it was listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site, famous for its well-preserved Ming and Qing Dynasty residences, exquisite brick and wood carvings, and idyllic scenery of "families living in a peach blossom garden." II. Transportation Guide 1. How to get to Xidi? • By air: Huangshan Tunxi International Airport, transfer to a bus to Yi County (approx. 1.5 hrs). • By high-speed rail: Get off at Huangshan North Railway Station, take the tourist line (Yi County direction) or a shared car directly (approx. 1 hr). • By bus: There are buses from Huangshan Scenic Area (Tangkou Town) to Xidi (approx. 1 hr). • By car: Navigate to "Xidi Scenic Area," about 1 hr from downtown Huangshan City, 3–4 hrs from Hangzhou and Nanjing. 2. Internal transportation Walk throughout Xidi Village. Comfortable flat shoes are recommended for the bluestone roads. There is a parking lot at the entrance of the village (fee approx. CNY 10–20/day). III. Must-see attractions 1. Hu Wenguang Memorial Archway A landmark building in Xidi, a stone archway from the Ming Dynasty, and a masterpiece of Huizhou stone carving art. 2. Jingaetang The Hu family ancestral hall, where you can experience Huizhou clan culture and admire the "Filial Piety" stele (inscribed by Zhu Xi). 3. Duyiting and Zhuimutang Representatives of Huizhou merchants' mansions, with exquisite wood and brick carvings, showing luxury in every detail. 4. Xiyuan and Dongyuan Typical Hui-style gardens with scattered courtyards, suitable for taking photos. 5. Viewing platform Overlooking the whole village from the hillside outside the village, the ancient village in the morning mist or sunset is like an ink painting. 6. Xidi at night Ancient buildings illuminated by lights, quiet and romantic, with frequent folk performances in summer (such as Huiju Opera and Huangmei Opera). IV. Xidi's culinary delights • Must-try Huizhou cuisine: Stinky mandarin fish (unique fermented flavor), hairy tofu (crispy outside and tender inside), dried bamboo shoots with braised pork, and Laba tofu. • Special snacks: Stone cakes (pan-fried wild vegetable pancakes), preserved mustard greens biscuits, and mugwort cakes. • Recommended restaurants: Huiniang's Private Kitchen (excellent braised pork), Sanweitang (dining experience in an ancient house), and hairy tofu stalls at the village entrance. V. Accommodation recommendations • Boutique inns: Xidi Huiguniang (a renovated ancient house, with horse head walls visible from the window). • Artistic homestays: Pigsty Bar (a renovated old oil mill, with idyllic poetry). • Cost-effective options: Xidi Moshang Huakai Inn (modern facilities, convenient location). Tips: Book in advance during peak seasons (spring and autumn, holidays) to experience the charm of ancient houses. VI. Surrounding day trips 1. Hongcun (18 km from Xidi): The ink painting-like Nanhu Moon Pond complements the style of Xidi. 2. Tachuan (25 km from Xidi): A holy place for autumn foliage photography. 3. Nanping (8 km from Xidi): The "maze ancient village," a filming location for *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*. 4. Mukeng Bamboo Forest: A mountain full of green bamboo, the filming location for the bamboo forest fight scene in *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*. VII. Practical information • Tickets: CNY 104/person (online discounts approx. CNY 94), valid for 3 days. • Opening hours: All day (recommended visiting time 4–6 hrs). • Guide service: Hire a guide at the village entrance (approx. CNY 80/time), or scan the code to listen to the electronic guide. VIII. Travel tips 1. Best season: March–April for rapeseed flower fields, October–November for intoxicating autumn scenery. Avoid the summer heat and Golden Week crowds. 2. Photography suggestions: 6–8 am is best for fewer people and good lighting. Drones need to be registered in advance. 3. Cultural respect: Do not touch the carvings of ancient buildings at will, and keep quiet in the ancestral hall. 4. Souvenirs: Huimo ink, She inkstones, Huangshan Maofeng tea, and handmade bamboo carvings. Xidi is a living epic of Huizhou. Stroll along the bluestone alleys, touch the traces carved by time, and feel the thousand-year-old charm of "A lifetime of obsession, no dream reaches Huizhou." 🌿