皖南古村落

Why this place

Hongcun and Xidi are the best-preserved of the Huizhou merchant villages — whitewashed walls, black-tiled roofs with horse-head gables, carved beams and an artificial water system that runs through the village. Hongcun's pond and its reflection is one of the most painted views in China.

What to see

• Hongcun's Moon Pond and South Lake, with the village reflected in both
• The Chengzhi Hall and the other merchant mansions, with their wood and stone carving
• Xidi's main street and its archways, which is a quieter village
• The water system that supplies both villages, designed in the Ming period

What to eat

• Huizhou cooking — braised and steamed, with preserved vegetables and the 'stinky mandarin fish'
• The local bamboo shoots and wild herbs; Huangshan tea

How to plan

Two days: Hongcun one day, Xidi half a day, plus Huangshan if you want the mountain.

Best time

March–May and October–November; the villages are busiest during Chinese holidays

Practical tips

• Stay overnight inside the village — after the day-trippers leave it is quiet and the light is better