Located in southern Anhui, Xidi and Hongcun villages are approximately 40 to 50 kilometers from Mount Huangshan.
They are prime examples of Anhui architecture, renowned for their clear rural garden landscapes, ancient and simple village layout, impeccably crafted Anhui residential houses, and strong historical and cultural appeal.
Xidi village, situated eight kilometers from Yixian County town, was established over 900 years ago during the reign of Emperor You of the Northern Song Dynasty (1049-1053). Families surnamed Hu settled here. To this day, 124 ancient residences from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) remain preserved, including Lingyunge (Pavilion Touching the Clouds), the Honor Archway for the Prefect, the Court of Auspicious Jade, the Peach and Plum Garden, East and West Gardens, the Physician's Residence, the Hall of Worship, the Hall of Auspiciousness, the Blue Cloud Cottage, and the Hall of Happiness. Xidi village is renowned as a "Museum of Chinese Residential Architecture from the Ming and Qing Periods."
The village, shaped like a ship, is surrounded on all four sides by mountains. Two streams traverse the area. The streets and lanes run close to the water and are paved with bluish-green stones. The ancient buildings on both sides are simple yet tasteful, mostly constructed of wood and surrounded by brick walls. Wood, stone, and brick are richly adorned with carvings. The Honor Archway for Prefect Hu Wenguang, located at the village entrance, has four columns and five tiers. It was erected in the sixth year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1578) and stands as a testament to the influential status of the Hu clan.
Both villages were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000.
