Travel Guide | TOURASIA
   
China
China Travel Guide > Huangshan City Guide back
Useful Information | Yellow Mountain(Huangshan) | Xidi Village | Hongcun Village | Tunxi Old Street | Evening Cruise on Xin'an River | Evening Performance at Huizhou Theatre | Tangyue Memorial Archways |

Useful Information

CurrencyRenminbi (RMB)
Electric Plug Details
Two parallel flat blades
Electricity
220Volt, 50Hz
IDD City Code
10
IDD Country Code
559
Language
Putonghau (Mandarin)
Mobile System
GSM
Time Zone
GMT/UTC +8()
Useful Telephone
Emergencies 120
Police Dial 110
Fire & Ambulance 119


Yellow Mountain(Huangshan)

Yellow Mountain is a blend of the majesty of Taishan Mountain, the ruggedness of Hushan Mountain, the cloud of Hengshan Mountain, the flying waterfall of Lushan Mountain, the bizarre rock of Yandangshan Mountain and the beauty of E'mei Mountain. Especially, Mt.Huangshan is famous for its” four supreme sights: strange pines, grotesque rocks, the sea of clouds and hot springs in the world. It has the reputation of "China's first strange mountain. It's one of the first state-level key scenic resorts. It's also a world-level tourist attraction. In 1990, Yellow Mountain was added to the list of "Human Natural Heritage protected in the world" by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It has become the treasure of all mankind.

It's said that Mt.Huangshan is the place where Huangdi, Chinese ancestor, lived, refined precious medicines and became a supernatural being suddenly. There are hundreds of peaks and thousands of ravines in Yellow Mountain, 72 of which have names. The Heavenly Capital Peak, the Lotus Flower Peak and the Brightness Peak are the three major peaks, all rising above 1,800 meters above sea level. They erect nearly to the sky. It's majestic and splendid.

Yellow Mountain covers an area of 1200 square kilometers, with a well developed scenic area of 154 square kilometers. Yellow Mountain is a blend of the majesty of Taishan Mountain, the ruggedness of Hushan Mountain, the cloud of Hengshan Mountain, the flying waterfall of Lushan Mountain, the bizarre rock of Yandangshan Mountain and the beauty of E'mei Mountain. 2 lakes, 3 waterfalls, 16 springs and 24 brooks show their beauty at the same time. Yellow Mountain is famous for its "four wonders"-odd-shaded pines, grotesque rocks, the sea of clouds and the hot springs in the world. Xu Xiake who has visited Yellow Mountain twice, a noted Chinese geologist in the Ming Dynasty, left the praise of "Don't visit mountain after finishing traveling Five Mountains, and don't visit other four mountains after traveling Huangshan".  

The scenery of Yellow Mountain in four seasons is different. Sunrise, sunset glow, Buddha lightness and foggy pine are all interesting. It also wins the reputation of "natural Zoo and botanical garden". It can be regarded as a fairyland on earth. In addition, there are many other tourist spots, such as the Cloud Valley Temple, the Pine Valley Nunnery, the White Cloud Brook, the Jade Valley, etc. They are all attractive.

On November 8, 1982, Yellow Mountain  is ratified to list into the first state key scenic spots by  the State Council of the People's Republic of China.

Yellow Mountain was listed to the list of "World Cultural and Natural Heritage" by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, It has become the treasure of all mankind. In 2000, Yellow Mountain was listed as the state AAAA-level scenic spot. In 2001, it became the first scenic spots recommended by the state travel bureau.


Xidi Village

Xidi Village is located at the south foot of Mt. Huangshan. Its original name is Xichuan. It can also be called Xixi. This name is given because there are three brooks which run from east to west. But because there is a relay station in the west of the village, so the name was changed into Xidi. Xidi was built in the Huangyou period of the Northern Song dynasty, developed in the middle of the Jingtai period of the Ming dynasty, and was prosperous at the beginning of the Qing dynasty. It has a history of nearly 1000 years. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the businessmen reached the period of highest development. They carried out an extensive building program, such as building houses and ancestral temples, making roads, building bridges and so on. Nowadays, more than 100 old folk houses in Xidi maintain the basic appearance and feature they used to be.

Xidi is an old village which accepts the blood relationship of the clan as tie and where most of Hu families live. There is a green stone memorial archway which has three rooms, four pillars and five floors. It was built in the Wanli time of the Ming dynasty. The structure is very exquisite. It's tall and erect, which stands for the eminent station of Hu family. There are nearly 300 buildings of the Ming and Qing dynasties in Hui style. Exquisite bricks, wood and stone carving decorate every building. The Lingyun Pavilon, the Cishi (an official title in ancient time of China) House, the Ruiyu Pavilon, the Taoli Garden, the East Garden, the West Garden, the Daifu(an official title in ancient time of China) House, the Jing'ai Hall, the Lvfu Hall, the Qingyun House, the Yinfu Hall, etc have been exploited into scenic spots. In addition, beautiful and imposing folk houses and exquisite gardens are worth visiting.


Hongcun Village

Hongcun is located in the southwestern foot of Mt. Huangshan and about 11 kilometers off the southwest of Yixian County. In ancient time, it's the only access to Beijing to do business from Yixian. The whole village covers an area of about 28 hectares. The place which is classed as old village spreads 19.11 hectares of land.

Hongcun was first founded in the Shaoxing period of the Southern Song Dynasty (about AD. 1131-1162), with a history of about 900 years. Hongcun was first called "Hongcun (another Chinese word with the same pronunciation)". According to the record of Pedigree of Wang Clan, because it was enlarged to the shape of the Taiyi elephant at that time, it was acclaimed as Hongcun. In the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, its name was changed into Hongcun.

Hongcun is the main village where Wang families live together. Wang clan is a respectable family in Central Plains. Because of moving to the south at the end of the Han dynasty, the descendants of Wang clan spread every parts of the south of the lower reaches of the Changjiang River. The ancestral home of Wang clan is Jinling.  In the Southern Song Dynasty, it moved to Huizhou. They are the earliest ancestor of Huncun.

The allocation of the whole village looks like the shape of cow. The erect Leigang Mountain is regarded as the head of the cow, the old green and shadowy trees spread the whole mountain are the horn of the cow, the long lines of buildings in the village are the body of the cow, the glittering lake is the belly of the cow, crooked manmade canals which run through houses are the intestine of the cow, and four wood bridges near the village are the legs of the cow. Hongcun looks like a sleeping cow located among the hill which is surrounded by the green mountain and a large rambling rice fields.

Hongcun is 18 kilometers away from Xidi(introduced later). The climates are similar.

Among the Folk Residences, the Chengzhi Hall is touted as the Folk Summer Place, which is engraved carefully and covered with gold and painted with colors. The Dongxian Hall is vast and simple. The moon Pond is as even as a mirror. The water of the Southern Lake dances and sparkles. The simple Guanyin Shop is in the deep of the alley and beside the cyan stone street. There are old lofty tree on the Thunder Hillock and peonies with a history of over 100 years. Green bines climb on the wall and enter the yard of domestic houses. The Xuren Hall and Shangyuan Hall, the ancestral temples, are strict. The Southern Lake Academy is given the words of "Yiwen Family School" on the stele by 93-year-old Liangtongshu, Shijiang (a rank in the court) of the Imperial Academy. All these constructions constitute a perfect art whole with the Jingxiu Hall and Sanli Hall. One step is one view; one place is one picture.  At the same time, these constructions reflect wide and deep cultural inside information which is left by long history. Till the Qiny Dynasty, Hongcun has become a big village with over 1000 families. Long lines of houses looks like a big city. Until now, Hongcun is still the site of the People's government of Hongcun Town. It starts to develop at the middle of the 1980s.

Hongcun has the system of streets and alleys which looks like square net. The ground is covered by granite stones. The manmade water system through all families forms unique space of Water Street and Alley. The village centers on "the heart of the cow"- the Moon Pond which is a crescent-shaped pond. It's surrounded by houses and ancestral temples. It exhibits strong cohesion. There are 158 domestic houses in existence, which were built in the Ming or Qing Dynasty. 137 houses of them are in a good state of preservation. The buildings of the Qing dynasty own not only beautiful surroundings, but also logical function layout.

The structure is elegant and blends closely with nature. It creates a scientific living environment, which is also full of affection. It's one outstanding representative of China's traditional domestic houses.

Most villagers divert water in canals into houses, and forms "House Garden" and "Water Yard" which exist only in village. This makes the construction of Hongcun inaugurate the special house pattern of water-side pavilion of Hui constructions. Hongcun is an outstanding representative of Huizhou traditional local culture, building techniques and landscape design. It is full of much value of history, art and science.  It indeed is the witness of Huizhou traditional architectural culture. Hongcun has been listed into the Contents of World Cultural and Natural Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.


Tunxi Old Street

Tunxi Old Street appeared accompanying the development of Hui businessmen. Early in the last twenties or thirties, the big commercial port of HU (Shanghai) and Hang (Hangzhou) flourished for a period of time.

The Old Street is 1.5 kilometers long and 7 meters wide. There are long lines of shops along two side of the street. They are all made of brick and wood and have double floors. All these houses in Huizhou style overflow a rush of strong archaic charm. Although the shops in the old street are not very large, they are relatively deep.  A special structure is formed that shop is in the front and workshop is at the back, shop is in the front and storehouse is at the back, or shop is in the front and household is at the back. So the old street seems to be older. 

There are tens of old and famous shops in the old street. The Tongderen was a Chinese traditional medicine shop. It was established in the second year of the Tongzhi Period of the Qing dynasty, with a history of over 120 years. Qimen black tea and Tunxi green tea which are famous in the world mostly distribute in Tunxi. All kinds of Anhui ink stick and Sehxian ink stone can be found here. Products of "Huizhou Four Carvings" (brick, wood, stone and bamboo), Chinese painting in Anhui style, print, rubbing from a stone inscription, Goldstone seal cutting, Chinese pot gardening and root carving can be seen here and there. Old Huizhou culture shows its charming spirit. It’s regarded as an art gallery of  excellent national culture.? The charm of the old street absorbs the show field. So far, over 100 movie works have been shot in the old street. Insiders of the show field regard it as the live "Qingming Shang He Tu" (a famous picture).

The old street has become a distribution center of tourist goods. There people can buy the best tourist souvenirs in all styles and with most reasonable price. If you go to Hangshan, and have a chance to Tunxi, you must go to visit the old street.


Evening Cruise on Xin'an River

Originating from Huaiyu Mountain the Xin'an River was regarded as the"Mother River"of ancient Huizhou (today's Xidi and Hongcun areas), which was very famous for its flourishing business in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. During that period, streets there were filled with prudent merchants from around the country. The river has a long history and it has nourished the local culture for centuries. The evening cruise on the river is one of the highlights offered here.

In the evening, both the banks are colorfully lit accompanied, occasionally, by the bright moon hanging in the sky. Full of passengers the beautifully decorated pleasure boats, luxurious stylish double-decked yachts and speed boats shuttle to and fro on the river, like playing happy melodies all together.

Xin'an River is characterized by clear water, cool breeze and mystical mist which veils the river even during the clean summer nights. Water in the river keeps a constant temperature of 14 centigrade.

The section from Laoda Bridge to the Suspended Bridge is one of the evening cruise highlights.

Along your way, you will enjoy the brightly coloured city scenery on the river banks, feel the cool breeze off of that river and view the mist-capped river scenery.


Evening Performance at Huizhou Theatre

This is a performance integrated with magic, acrobatics and dance featuring the local customs.  The show is displayed by a well known troupe who have received many awards nationally. The thrilling acrobatics, amusing magic shows and skilful stunts will ensure you have a memorable night.


Tangyue Memorial Archways

The Tangyue Memorial Archway Group is composed of 7 arches. It's located on the road at the entrance of the Tangyu village in the west of Shexian County. It arrays in the successive order of loyalty, filial piety, women's chastity and charity. The Tangyue Memorial Arch Group is all made of green stones which are of good quality and produced in Shexian County. Don't use any nail or rivet at all. The skillful combinations between stones are astonishing. In addition, there are a large number of beautiful carvings in Hui style around the body of the arches.

Among The Tangyue Memorial Arch Group, three of seven are made in the Ming dynasty, and four are in the Qing Dynasty. Although they have a long history, the style of architecture is a successful combination of old and new, which seems a piece of works finished at a heat. These seven arches in turn are: the Baocanxiao Memorial Arch, the Cixiaoli Memorial Arch, the Jiexiao Memorial Arch of Wang, the wife of Baowenling, the Kindness Arch, the Jiexiao Memorial Arch of Wu, the second wife of Baowenyuan, the Baofengchang Dutiful Son Memorial Arch, and the Baoxiangxian Shangshu(a rank in ancient times in China) Memorial Arch. All these are memorial arches of Bao families of Tangyue village.

The Cixiaoli Memorial Arch was built in the Yongle period of the Ming dynasty to honor Baosheyan and Baoshouxun, who were father and son. After they were captured by the rebels, the rebels wanted to kill one of them and let them choose who was live and who was dead. These two persons all wanted to use their own death to gain their relative's life. In order to honor the father and son, the memorial arch was granted by the emperor. Later, Qianlong, an emperor of the Qing dynasty, inscribed a couplet: There is no second one of love and filial piety in the world, Tunxi village is the first village of beautiful south of the lower reaches of the Changjiang River. He appropriated sliver to repair it.  The memorial archways were respected by generations of ancient Chinese emperors.

 



Reservation: reservation.ta@jebsenholidays.com
Telephone: (852) 3180 6770    Fax: (852) 2366 2690
Copyright © 2014 Tourasia Co. Ltd. All rights reserved.
29th Floor, Island Place Tower, 510 King's Road, North Point, Hong Kong
Travel Licence No. 353984