Huangshan Xidi Village: Top Highlights & Nearby Attractions

Xidi Village in Huangshan is renowned as one of the most beautiful villages in the world. Its buildings and streets are paved entirely with bluestone. Inside the village, you will find old ancestral halls along with an archway. Keep reading to discover the must-see highlights and interesting experiences in Xidi Village.

Xidi Village in Huangshan City

Facts about Xidi Village in Huangshan

Visit Xidi Village in Huangshan

Xidi Village is located in Huangshan, Anhui Province. The village is shaped like a boat, surrounded by mountains, with two streams running through it. The houses are neatly arranged, like cabins on a large ship. The village was founded during the Northern Song Dynasty (1049 - 1054) and has a history of about 970 years.

Xidi Village is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Hongcun Village. Compared with Hongcun, Xidi's Hui-style architecture is better preserved, it is less commercialized, and there are fewer tourists, so you can enjoy the village at a more relaxed pace. Interestingly, the streams in the village flow from east to west, opposite to most rivers in China, which adds a feature to the village.

• Keywords: History, Hui-style architecture, World Heritage Site
• Opening Hours: All day
• Recommended Duration: 2 - 3 Hours
• Entrance Fee: 94 RMB (14 USD). Your ticket stays valid for 3 days, so you can come and go anytime with your passport.
• Best Time to Visit: Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer the most pleasant weather and beautiful scenery.
• How to Get There: You can take a high-speed train to Yixian East Station, then continue with a 15-minute drive to the village.
• Location: Yi County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province
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Top Highlights in Xidi Village

Hu Wenguang Memorial Archway

Hu Wenguang Memorial Archway in Xidi

The Hu Wenguang Memorial Archway stands right at the entrance of Xidi Village, marking the start of the village tour. It was built in 1578 by the Ming Dynasty imperial court to honor Hu Wenguang's achievements as an official. The entire archway is carved from local bluestone, standing 12.3 meters tall and 9.95 meters wide. It features delicate carving, with its pillars adorned with patterns like lions, peonies, and qilin (an auspicious creature in ancient Chinese mythology), which represent honor and good fortune. The archway has survived for more than 400 years and is a key landmark in Xidi Village, a precious surviving example of Ming Dynasty stone carving.

Qingyun House

Qingyun House was built in 1870 and served as the study hall for a family in the village. This building blends the layout of a northern Siheyuan (courtyard-style home) with the southern Hui-style architecture. The entrance has a moon-shaped stone arch, and a century-old peony that blooms around April adds beauty to the courtyard. The Qingyun House also holds a treasured fossil of half a giant clam, dating back hundreds of millions of years. A feature in the main hall is a ground wind well, which keeps the room warm in winter and cool in summer, serving as the ancient version of air conditioning.

Interestingly, Qingyun House has now been turned into a guesthouse, making it convenient for you to visit. While tour groups visit during the day, which may give you a sense of owning the old house. Once they leave, you can enjoy a peaceful night, explore here, and take countless photos without any crowds.

Jing'ai Hall

Jing'ai Hall in Xidi Village

The Jing'ai Hall, with a history of over 400 years, was first built around 1600 and later reconstructed in the early Qing period after a fire. Its name symbolizes mutual respect and love between siblings, and it serves to remind later generations to revere elders and cherish children. Initially a private residence, it was later expanded into an ancestral hall, used by the clan for discussions, wedding ceremonies, and educating the younger generation. The hall contains many well-preserved couplets featuring family instructions. Our local guide will translate and explain their meanings, helping you understand the cultural stories and values behind each couplet.

Xidi Village Nighttime Events

Xidi Village completely changes after dark, offering a distinct night tour that combines traditional culture with new technology. The main events are the Light and Shadow Show, the Lantern Parade, and the Intangible Cultural Heritage Bench Dragon Parade.

• Light and Shadow Show: This is an immersive audiovisual performance that uses the ancient buildings of Xidi Village as a backdrop, combining water screen projection, light animation, and music to tell the story of Huizhou culture at night. It runs every evening from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
• Lantern Parade: This parade takes place every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday evening from 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Traditional lanterns, such as fish and lotus lanterns, float through the alleys, casting beautiful lights.
• Intangible Cultural Heritage Bench Dragon Parade: The most spectacular event is the Bench Dragon Parade. An illuminated bench dragon, about 10 meters long, winds through the village accompanied by drums, music, and fireworks. This performance is held every Saturday evening from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

Intangible Heritage Experience

If the Lantern Parade catches your eye, I guess you'll be eager to try the fun of making a lantern yourself. Here, you can experience various intangible cultural heritage handicrafts, such as making sachets and painting fish or rabbit lanterns. You can choose your favorite fabric and scented herbs to sew your sachet, or take a paintbrush to color and outline a blank lantern frame, drawing the lantern step by step. The staff provides demonstrations and assistance, so anyone can easily complete the craft. The finished sachet of lantern can be taken home as the most special souvenir of your trip to Xidi Village.

Attractions Near Xidi Village

Overview of Huangshan Mountain

• Huangshan Mountain: Located about 40 km (55-minute drive) from Xidi Village. We recommend visiting Huangshan Mountain first, then staying overnight in Xidi Village to relax after your hike.
• Hongcun Village: Located about 19 km away, Hongcun village is a 25-minute drive from Xidi Village. It has well-preserved Hui-style homes and waterways. The village layout is clever, and it was also one of the filming locations for the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
• Qiyun Mountain Scenic Area: About 22 km from Xidi Village, approximately a 34-minute drive. The area is famous for its Taoist culture, Danxia landform, oddly shaped rocks and cliffs, and rock carvings. It features walking trails and viewing platforms where you can look down upon the landscape below.

Plan Your Huangshan Trip with Ease

To easily explore Xidi Village along with nearby attractions in one trip, China Odyssey Tours is ready to create a special itinerary based on your schedule and preferences. Our travel experts will take care of all planning and transportation and arrange for an experienced local guide to accompany you, ensuring you have a relaxed and comfortable journey.

Contact us or email us at trip@odynovotours.com now to begin your Huangshan adventure.