40 Best Scenic Spots Recommended by CNN IV: Hongcun Village---- A Village in the Picture

Would you like Chinese Ink and wash painting? In the article, I will show you an ancient village, Hongcun Village, which is a typical Village like Chinese ink and wash painting. Let's go!

Chapter Four

Hongcun Village---- A Village in the Picture

Picturesque Village of Hongcun

If you deeply love Chinese water printing, you have to go to Hongcun village to experience the beauty of Chinese village when taking a impression China tour. With a 900-year-old history, Hongcun village has been attracted thousands of tourists from all parts of China and abroad. They fall in love with the quiet atmosphere and unique Hui-style architecture here. Two or three people wondering along the narrow green stone trail, industrious farmers working in rice fields at a distance and beautiful images of ancient houses reflected in the clear water, all of these make you can’t help but want to paint down the whole vision. 

Beautiful Scenery of the Piece of Hongcun Village

Hongcun village is located in Yi county, Anhui province, 33km away from Mt Huangshan scenic spots. Because of located in a relatively high altitude, clouds and mist steaming and lingering around, Hongcun village is really like a picture of slowly unfolding landscape scroll. So it is known as the village in Chinese paintings.

Characteristic of Hongcun Architecture

The main construct of Hongcun village is dwelling houses and private gardens, together with school and ancestral temple, with a complete construction group. Whole architectures are built magnificently with exquisite and elegant wooden carving, brick carving and stone carving. The village streets and alleys are almost built alongside water and the layout of houses are around Lunar Palus. Most dwellings are binary yards. Local villagers even introduced water to their yards and opened up fish ponds. The typical architectures are Nanhu School, Lexu Hall, Chengzhi Hall, Songhe Hall and Bi garden, etc. If you go to Hongcun village in your China tour, you will be amazed at the unique architecture style.      
　　

Climate of Hongcun Village

The climate of Hongcun village is close to oceanic climate with a lot of rainy day and soupy weather. The average annual temperate is 7.8 degree and average annual rainfall days are 183 days, among which April to June rain most. The annual rainfall of mountain is 2395mm and

Geese are Swiming in the Pond in Hongcun Village

average snowy days are 49 days. At an altitude of 630 meters of hot spring area, the summer average temperate is 25 degree, winter above 0 degree. For a Anhui village borders mountain forest and water landscape: gurgling streams gently flow through the whole village, houses and landscape of lakes and mountains enhance each other’s beauty. Hongcun is appropriate for traveling four seasons. 

Local Specialty

Hongcun village owns not only poetic scenery but also deep ancient cultural flavor. Because the surrounding mountain chains once hindered the communication between Hongcun village and outside world in ancient times, it created Hongcun village “a land of idyllic beauty” with abundant local specialties, such as ancient Huizhou embroidery, Keemun black tea, Yi county mushroom, etc. You also can find famous specialties of Sixi town-----broadleaf holly tea, Chinese torreya and arrowroot flour which all are good for people’s health.

Local Events

The most popular event in Hongcun village is game bird, which is a traditional folk activity during

Keemun Black Tea

the Chinese Spring Festival since Qing dynasty. In recent years, with the expending influence, many game bird fans are attracted to go here watching and gaming. People who raise birds communicate the aviculture experience with each other and take part in the game. The competition birds are all male throstles and the whole competition includes bird singing, bird’s imposing manner and bird fighting. Besides, some tourism activities are held in Hongcun village too, such as China Huangshan Village International Tourism Festival, International Mountain Bike Festival and Yi County Photography Festival.
　　

Local Accommodation 

With the development of Hongcun village tourism, the local hotel industry has began its new epoch since 2006. Almost every local family if they own several free rooms begin to run rural farmhouse inn. So now it is more convenient to lodge there if you take a Hongcun tour for several days. You can lodge in the wing room with carve pattern bed if you are good luck. For a better tour, you had better book the room before you travel Hongcun village when you take a China tour during Chinese golden holidays or festivals because rooms are large demand at that time.  

Recommended Travel Routes 

1. Four hours traveling

Line: Entrance----Ancient Ginkgo Tree---Ancient Red Poplar Tree----Taoyuan Habitat----Deyi Hall----Lunar Palus----Jingde Hall---Tourist Center----Exitance.

Tourists are Biking around Hongcun Village

It is a leisure line with a not far journey recommended to people who don’t like traveling too tired. 

2. Six hours traveling

Line: Entrance--- Lunar Palus ---- Deyi Hall ---- Taoyuan Habitat ---- Ancient Red Poplar Tree ----Ancient Ginkgo Tree --- Nanhu School---Tourist Center---Exitance. 
It is a relatively leisure line. You can visit the all attractions along the journey and wonder in the old residence, enjoying the beautiful scenery of whole village.  

Note:
1. Tickets: 104RMB for three days.
2. The best time to travel Hongcun village: March, April and November.

March and April are the seasons of rape blossoming with endless rape flower, green mountains and crystal water and beautiful white wall and black tile houses. 
Early November is a season of strong autumn. The red maple leaf of Tachuan is as red as Beijing Xiangshan Mountain.