The Top 7 Ancient Streets/Villages close to the Yellow Mountains

After a visit to the Yellow Mountains, you should see the villages/streets of Huangshan to appreciate countryside scenery and ancient architecture.

1. Tunxi Ancient Street — Gifts, Food, Ink, and Architecture

• Shops open till late evening
• Entry: free
• Highlights: gift shopping, Huangshan Ink Factory, Anhui architecture, local food
• Suggested visit: half a day (ideal for late afternoon/evening)

Tunxi Ancient Street is the best-preserved ancient street in Huangshan City, with architectural styles of the Song (960–1279), Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties.

It's famous for ink production. If you are interested in Chinese brush calligraphy, you should see the historic factory where ink tablets, calligraphy sets, and seals are produced.

You can also buy famous tea there and taste the best local food.

2. Hong Village — The Subject of Countless Paintings

• Open: 7:30am–5:30pm
• Entry: 104 yuan (17 USD)
• Highlights: photography, charmingly landscaped rural architecture, hiking
• Suggested visit: half a day
• Best times: March–April for spring scenery, November for autumn scenery

Hong Village you may have already seen, as it's the setting for Ang Lee's movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". Hongcun is a beautiful ancient village frequented by painters capturing the blend of pools, willows, and ancient architecture on canvass. It's at the foot of the Yellow Mountains.

3. Xidi Village — a Model of Simplicity

• Open: 7:30am–6:00pm
• Entry: 104 yuan (17 USD)
• Highlights: photography, classic rural architecture, hiking
• Suggested visit: half a day
• Best times: spring and fall

Xidi Village has many high walls and alleys, which will make you feel like you're in a maze. The layout, decoration, and cultural backdrop make it a classic Anhui ancient village. There's an 8-km (5-mi) Hongcun–Xidi scenic walk.

4. Tangyue Memorial Arches — ”Gates of Virtue”

• Open: 7:30am–5:30pm
• Entry: 100 yuan (16.5 USD)
• Highlights: photography, hiking
• Suggested visit: half a day
• Best times: spring and fall

The Tangyue Memorial Arches are the largest collection of these tall Chinese-style stone gateway and roof structures in the world. The arches are made of stone alone, without any fixings, and each is named after a moral virtue. Half an hour from Huangshan city, but 1½ hours from Hongcun.

5. Tachuan Village — Autumnal Scenery

• Open: 7:30am–5:30pm
• Entry: 30 yuan (5 USD)
• Highlights: photography, hiking, fall hues
• Suggested visit: half a day
• Best time: fall

Tachuan Village is a fall favorite. It is one of the best places to appreciate red leaves in China, alongside such greats as Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan, Kanas in Xinjiang, and Fragrant Hill Park in Beijing. It's only 2 km (1 mile) from Hongcun or about half an hour’s walk.

6. Wuyuan Village — Rape Blossoms in Spring

• Open: 8:00am–6:00pm in peak season (April–November); 8:00am–5:30pm in low season
• Entry: 210 yuan (34 USD) includes 14 Wuyuan County attractions; valid for 5 days
• Highlights: photography, yellow fields, hiking, rural architecture
• Suggested visit: 1 day
• Best time: March–April

Wuyuan Village is a well-preserved village of Anhui architecture. It's well known for its yellow seas of rape flowers, best seen during March and April. It's about 1½ hours' drive southwest of Huangshan.

7. Pingshan Village — Gorgeous Alleys

Pingshan Village, like Wuyuan, is surrounded by glowing yellow rape fields in spring.

But the best thing to do in Pingshan is take it easy and go for a stroll. Along the way, you'll find many art shops because, like Hongcun, the village is a popular spot for art students to practice their trade.

Wander across the little bridges, along canal-side paths, and down the gorgeous alleys to get an insight into daily life in a Chinese village. You'll come across some incredible buildings, including ancestral shrines that demonstrate the type of wealth families brought to the village.

White-washed walls and dramatic eaves are set to the backdrop of Huangshan's surrounding mountains — perfect for those into photography.

Nearby Attractions

The Yellow Mountains are the undisputed star attraction of Huangshan, which all Huangshan tours are built around. Apart from the above villages the Xin’an River is another excellent place for hiking through beautiful scenery.

Jingdezhen — Capital of Porcelain

• Open: 7:30am–5:30pm
• Entry: 20 yuan (3.5 USD)
• Highlights: porcelain exhibitions and history
• Suggested visit: 1 day
• Best time: all year round

Jingdezhen is the capital of porcelain. You can have a look at how porcelain is made, and experience making porcelains by yourself. It's about 2½ hours by bus or 3 hours by train southwest of Huangshan.

Touring Huangshan's Ancient Streets and Villages

Huangshan and its ancient villages and streets are popular, though those further down the list are quieter. 

Chinese tour groups with noisy loud speakers frequent the area during high season. Schools and universities let out for summer vacation in July, so there is a influx of families and young visitors eager to see the area until August. Yellow Mountains flights and hotel rooms are more expensive, and train tickets may be difficult to obtain. Make hotel reservations in advance during high season.

See our 3-day Yellow Mountains and Hongcun tour for inspiration. Or contact us for a tailor-made Hongcun tour according to your interests and time constraints.

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