Xidi Ancient Village

Xidi Ancient Village in Yixian County is about 40km (25 miles) south of Huangshan Mountain. Encircled by green hills, two streams flow through the village from the north and the east converging at Huiyuan Bridge. The village has two main streets and about 99 lanes paved with cobblestones or black stones. The residences, lanes and streets fit well with the hills and streams.

Construction of Xidi Village began during the Northern Song Dynasty (960 - 1127). So far, it has a history of over 900 years. Listed as a World Heritage Site, the village encompasses many historical and cultural sites.
Xidi Village, Huangshan
Pictures of Xidi Village
Xidi Village
Xidi Ancient Village

124 well-preserved Ming and Qing (1368 - 1911) residences stand in Xidi Ancient Village. Walking into a residence, you will first see a pair of meaningful couplets on the wall opposite the hall gate. Stepping into the hall, you can appreciate the gorgeous colored paintings on the ceiling, which were popular at that time. Most of paintings and furniture date from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Among those residences, only some are open to the public including Linyun Pavilion, the Eastern and Western Gardens, Ruiyu Courtyard, Taoli Garden, Da Fu Grand House and Lufu Hall.

Carvings on wood, stone and brick are an important part of these residences.  Tourists can appreciate these exquisite carvings on door frames, lattice walls, columns and beams in the halls. The birds, flowers, grass and figures on them are vividly presented. Both the Ming and Qing dynasty carvings display poise and refinement.
 

Hu Wenguang Memorial Archway

As an important landmark of Xidi Village, the archway was built during the Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644) in memory of Hu Wenguang, a Ming officer. Situated in the southwest of the village, the archway is 12.3m (40.4 feet) high and 9.95m (10.9 yards) wide. Consisting of 4 columns and 5 roofs, the archway is decorated with stone carvings in the shapes of deer, cranes, tigers, lions and the Eight Immortals of Chinese legends.
Archway in Xidi Village
Archway at the Entrance of Xidi Village
Ruiyu Hall in Xidi Village
Ruiyu Hall
 

Da Fu Grand House

The Da Fu Grand House, built during the Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911), is located on the main street of Xidi Village. It’s an old residence of the Hu family. The doors of the main hall are carved with plum flower patterns and the windows with paper cuts in the Ming style.

Beside the main hall stands a two-story boudoir facing the street. Nowadays, locals hold performances in the Da Fu Grand House, and the most wonderful one is Throwing Embroidered Ball from the boudoir. If interested, you can join in by trying to catch the ball.
 

Best Time to Visit Xidi Ancient Village

The best time to visit Xidi Village is spring and autumn. If you visit in March or April, you can appreciate plenty of rape flowers around the village!
 

How to get to Xidi Ancient Village

From Huangshan:

1. Tunxi to Xidi, you can take the bus from Huangshan Bus Station to Hongcun Ancient Village, which passes by Xidi, and visitors can be dropped off here. It runs once per hour from 8:00 to 16:00.
2. The bus from Huangshan North Railway Station to Hongcun also passes by Xidi, and it runs once per hour from 9:25 to 17:25.
3. Tangkou to Xidi Ancient Village, the buses depart at 9:30 and 15:30; or you can share a taxi or car with other visitors, and the fare is around CNY20.1. Take a tourist bus straight to Xidi, once per hour from 9:00 to 17:00.
2. Take a returning bus to Huangshan North and get off at Xidi; the bus is available once per hour from 8:30 to 16:30.
3. Take a taxi or private car to Xidi Village. The taxi fare is around CNY70.
 
Entrance Fee CNY104
Opening Hours 7:30 - 18:00

 Recommended Guided Tours to Xidi Village:
5 Days Huangshan Photography Tour from $959

 Top 9 Things to Do in Huangshan
- Last updated on Apr. 25, 2023 by Catherine He -
Questions & Answers on Xidi Ancient Village
Asked by Fun from SPAIN | Feb. 28, 2019 22:49Reply
I will get to Huangshan North railway station around 10pm and my hotel is in Xidi village.
I guess the only option available will be to take a taxi. How much could it be? Will it be easy to find a taxi at the station which wants to take me all the way to Xidi at that time of the night?
Thanks
Answers (1)
Answered by Hudson from FINLAND | Mar. 05, 2019 01:56
00Reply


Yes, you are suggested to hire a private car. The fare is CNY150 to 200 at that time. It won't be difficult for you to find a taxi or private car. Don't worry.
Asked by Fen from CANADA | Oct. 04, 2018 16:27Reply
What are the times for buses from Hongcun to Huangshan?
We need to catch the morning train in Huangshan going to Shanghai.
Answers (5)
Answered by Josh from URUGUAY | Oct. 11, 2018 00:04
00Reply


Do you take the train at Huangshan North Railway Station? If yes, you can take the direct bus at Hongcun parking lot to the North Railway Station and the buses depart from 08:30 to 16:30 and leave every 1 hour. The bus ride requires about 1.5 hours.
Answered by Fen from CANADA | Oct. 11, 2018 09:35
00Reply


Thank you for you help. What about the times for buses from Tangkou to Huangshan?
Answered by Josh | Oct. 11, 2018 18:15
00Reply


If you go to Huangshan scenic area from Tangkou, you can take the shuttle bus at Tangkou Transit center, The earliest bus is at 06:00 and the bus leaves every 30 minutes.
Answered by Fen from CANADA | Oct. 13, 2018 15:24
00Reply


If we arrive in Huangshan at 1pm, what are the times for the buses going to Hongcun?
Answered by Josh | Oct. 14, 2018 20:18
00Reply


You can take the bus at Huangshan scenic area transfer center and the buses depart at 07:00, 09:00, 10:20, 11:30, 12:30, 14:30, 15:40, 16:30. The ticket fare is CNY20.
Asked by mirko from ITALY | Mar. 26, 2018 11:26Reply
Hi there, Can I reach Xidi or Hongcun directly from Pu Dong – Shanghai airport?
Maybe -I need to go to shangai before, but in that case, are there transport between shangai and Xidi or Hongcun?
at what time they run and how long do they take?
Answers (1)
Answered by James from AUSTRALIA | Mar. 26, 2018 20:03
10Reply


No direct bus is available from the Pudong Airport.
You need to take shuttle bus line 7 to the South Bus Station to take a bus to Yixian, then take a local car to the villages.
The buses depart at 7:27 and 9:37 in the morning. The fare is about 150RMB and the duration is about 6h.
Asked by Laofuzi from SINGAPOREFU | Jan. 15, 2018 23:28Reply
Hi, Are there buses from Hongcun to Tangkou and from tangkou to shanghai?
Answers (5)
Answered by Joe from ITALY | Jan. 16, 2018 20:04
00Reply


Yes, the buses are available. BTW, the bus from Hongcun to Tangkou is available from 6:50 to 16:30. There are three buses from Tangkou to Shanghai at 6:30, 14:30 and 15:30.
Answered by Lala from PHILIPPINES | Jan. 17, 2018 08:31
00Reply


Where can we buy the bus tickets from Tangkou to Shanghai? Any website for recommendation? Or can we only get it at the station?
Answered by Kayla from SINGAPORE | Jan. 17, 2018 19:45
00Reply


Hi, Lala! I bought the ticket from a local hotel, and the bus came to the hotel to pick me up. As I know, many hotels provide the booking service!
Answered by Lala from - | Jan. 25, 2018 02:49
00Reply


Hi Kayla, Do you know where the bus stops at Shanghai then?

And would you recommend staying in Hongcun or Tangkou?
Answered by Mike from FINLAND | Jan. 25, 2018 19:21
00Reply


It goes to Shanghai South Bus Station; and you can stay in Hongcun to enjoy the tranquil village scenery in morning. Don’t worry, many hostels are available.
Asked by Gac | Jan. 13, 2018 03:44Reply
Xidi & Hongcun which one is bigger? Are there any cheap hotel in both?
How often the bus leave from Xidi to Hongcun?

By the way, anybody went to Chengkan village. Is Chengkan big and worth to stay overnight? If yes, are there any hotels in Chengkan?

I know that we can take a tourist vus from Tunxi bus station to Xidi, Hongcun and Chengkan.

Any places recommend around this area except Huangshan (we plan to visit).
Answers (3)
Answered by Michell from USA | Jan. 15, 2018 00:52
10Reply


Hongcun is bigger.

Many hotels are in your choices in both villages, like Liangzhu Café Inn, Xidi Zhishanju Inn and Huangshan Yueanju Hostel in Xidi Village; Hongcun Lanhua Hotel, Yuetang Renjia Inn, and Qingheyue International Youth Hotel in Hongcun Village.

The buses from Xidi to Hongcun depart at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 17:00.
Chengkan is also good, and you can stay in Longxige Inn, Yinxiang Chengkan Hostel, and Zhongchuan Farmyard Hostel.

You can also pay a visit to Feicui Valley and Tunxi Old Street.
Answered by Gac | Jan. 15, 2018 05:26
00Reply


Thanks Michell.

Regarding Feicui valley, is it in Tangkou? Should we stay overnight there? I mean is it big or having many spot to visit. Actually we plan to visit Huangshan from Tunxi. So we never consider staying in Tangkou. Also is it nice to visit there in Jan?
Answered by Michell from USA | Jan. 15, 2018 19:49
10Reply


You’re welcome, glad to help!
For your question, yes, Feicui Valley is in Tangkou, about 2km east to Huangshan Mountain. It’s not big as Huangshan, but still owns many scenic spots, like the valley, lakes, and stone carvings.
Jan. is a good time for a visit, since it’s not in the peak season and you can enjoy the scenery better, but remember to take some warm clothes. Have a nice trip!
Ask a Question
Question Summary (100 characters)
Details (optional) (2,000 characters)
NameCountryEmail