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Xidi Village: A Must-See Destination, A Living Museum of Huizhou Culture​​

On the UNESCO World Heritage List, Xidi Village, nestled at the foot of Huangshan Mountain in Anhui Province, China, is a dream destination for countless travelers, renowned for its ​​exceptionally well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty appearance​​ and its ​​profound cultural heritage of Huizhou​​. It is not merely a picturesque ancient village but also a history book carved in stone, a museum without walls. When it comes to heritage sites one must visit in a lifetime, Xidi Village is truly deserving of the title.

        A panoramic photograph of Xidi Village, capturing the tranquil settlement bathed in the evening glow. — Taken by myself.

A Millennium-Old Village Crowned as a World Heritage Site​​

Located in Yi County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, Xidi Village was initially established during the Huangyou era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1049-1054 AD), boasting a history of nearly a thousand years. In 2000, Xidi and the nearby Hongcun were jointly inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its ​​Outstanding Universal Value​​ lies in its role as an outstanding example of a Huizhou residential settlement from the late period of feudal China. The perfect integration of its street layout, architecture, decoration, and water supply system bears unique testimony to a human settlement tradition that is now disappearing. Upon entering Xidi, the first sight to greet visitors is the majestic Memorial Archway of Hu Wenguang, the Prefect. Built in the sixth year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1578), this stone archway is not only the symbol of Xidi but also a masterpiece of Huizhou archway art. It silently narrates the glory of the Hu lineage in Xidi and the value pursuit of Huizhou merchants who, "though engaged in commerce, esteemed scholarship".

The traditional character of Xidi Village still preserves the custom of “autumn sun-drying”. —Photographed by myself

A boundary marker post indicating the village limits, its top carved with an exceptionally charming stone lion. — Photographed by myself.

Architecture: Philosophy and Art Embodied in White Walls and Black Tiles​​

The charm of Xidi Village is deeply embedded in its ​​exquisite Huizhou-style architecture​​. The village preserves 124 well-maintained Ming and Qing dynasty residential buildings and 3 ancestral halls, including classic structures like Lingyun Pavilion, Ruiyu Hall, and Taoli Garden. These buildings strictly adhere to Huizhou traditions, with ​​white walls, black tiles, and horse-head gables​​ forming the basic color palette, harmoniously blending with the surrounding landscape like a delicate ink-wash painting. However, the essence of Xidi's architecture extends far beyond its exterior. The internal ​​Three Huizhou Carvings—wood carving, stone carving, and brick carving​​—are breathtakingly skillful. Every window lattice, door lintel, and beam is carved with exquisite patterns depicting themes such as the Four Gentlemanly Occupations (fishing, woodcutting, farming, studying), scenes from operas, flowers, birds, insects, and fish. These carvings are not merely decorative; they embody profound Confucian cultural connotations, such as the admonitions of "loyalty, filial piety, chastity, and righteousness" and "establishing a family through scholarship," reflecting the Huizhou people's characteristic of being "commercially successful yet culturally refined." Walking along the alleys paved with bluestone slabs, one notices the ingeniously designed interior courtyards. These courtyards are not only clever designs for lighting and ventilation but also reflect the Huizhou concept of "collecting wealth from four directions" and the philosophical idea of "harmony between nature and man."

A true depiction of Xidi Village's white walls and black tiles, densely packed and majestically imposing. — Photographed by myself.

Half lotus pond, half rice field, preserving the ecological environment while meeting daily needs. —Photographed by myself

Culture: The Perfect Fusion of Confucian Thought and Commercial Acumen​​

Xidi is an important vessel of Huizhou culture. As a lineage village where the Hu clan lived together based on kinship, Xidi's prosperity was closely linked to Huizhou merchants. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, after achieving business success elsewhere, Xidi natives brought substantial wealth back to their hometown, constructing residences, ancestral halls, and academies, forming the architectural scale visible today. Ancestral halls like Jing'ai Hall and Zhuimu Hall in the village symbolize clan authority, demonstrating the ​​powerful clan system​​ and strict ethical order prevalent in the Huizhou region. The couplet hanging inside "Lüfu Hall"—"Filial piety and fraternal duty are the foundation of the family; poetry and books are the means for managing worldly affairs"—directly expresses the family values passed down through generations of the Hu lineage. Particularly noteworthy is the wisdom evident in Xidi's village planning. The entire village is laid out naturally and fluently, nestled between mountains and rivers, with a main street running east-west and smaller lanes meandering off it, forming a unique boat-shaped layout. The complete water system within the village not only met daily needs such as firefighting, drainage, and washing but also embodies the ancient wisdom of "respecting and conforming to nature" in settlement design.

Traditional Folk Customs: Breathing in Ancient Charm​​

Unlike many heritage sites that have become "fossilized," one of Xidi's most appealing aspects is that it is a living ancient village. Hundreds of original inhabitants still reside within these ancient buildings, continuing traditional ways of life. In the early morning, one can see villagers washing clothes by the stream; at dusk, cooking smoke curls up behind the horse-head gables; at night, one might hear the night watchman striking the gong to announce the time. This authentic atmosphere of daily life transforms the cultural heritage from cold exhibits into a living scene full of warmth. Traditional Huizhou folk activities held annually in Xidi Village, such as Laba Festival and Spring Festival sacrificial ceremonies, further inject vitality into the ancient village. Visitors have the opportunity to experience the charm of traditional culture firsthand, rather than merely being observers. Among these activities, the most stunning is arguably the centuries-old Xidi Fish Lantern Parade.

The grand local ‘autumn drying’ event involves sun-drying this year's crops to preserve them for extended storage, whilst praying for next year's bountiful harvest. — Photographed by myself.

The Fish Lantern Parade: A Flowing Intangible Cultural Heritage​​

If daytime Xidi resembles an ink-wash painting, the Fish Lantern Parade at night transforms it into a flowing scroll of folk culture. The tradition of the Fish Lantern Parade has a long history in the Huizhou region, with Xidi's version being renowned for its large scale and exquisite craftsmanship. This tradition originated in the Ming Dynasty and is closely connected to Xidi's water system layout and Huizhou merchant culture. The craft of making the fish lanterns itself is a traditional skill. Artisans create fish-shaped frames from bamboo strips, cover them with xuan paper or silk, and then meticulously paint on the scales. Each lantern can range from one to three meters in length. The parade is typically held during major festivals, such as the Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, or Mid-Autumn Festival. 

Traditional small fish lantern. — Photographed by myself.

As night falls, villagers carry the lit fish lanterns, starting from Mingjing Lake at the village entrance and winding their way along the main street. ​​The cultural significance of the Fish Lantern Parade​​ is rich: the word for "fish" is a homophone for "surplus," symbolizing prayers for abundant harvests year after year, reflecting the wishes of an agrarian society. Simultaneously, the parade symbolizes the Huizhou merchants' aspirations for "feeling like a fish in water"—success and prosperity in business. The most eye-catching lantern in the procession is often the huge "Carp Transforming into a Dragon" lantern, featuring a dragon's head and a fish's body, symbolizing the Confucian ideal of succeeding in the imperial examinations and achieving a meteoric rise, which aligns perfectly with Xidi's tradition of "establishing a family through scholarship." When the dots of light from the fish lanterns flow through the ancient streets and alleys, reflecting on the surfaces of Moon Pond and Mingjing Lake, and interweaving with the ancient architecture of white walls and black tiles, it creates a visual feast that seems to transcend time. This living folk activity ensures that the World Heritage site is not merely a static collection of buildings but a cultural organism that is still breathing and singing.

       

Actual photographs of the fish lantern procession and large traditional fish lanterns. — Taken by myself.

Travel Tips: How to Experience Xidi in Depth​​

To truly appreciate the value of Xidi, it is advisable to avoid peak tourist seasons and plan a visit during spring or autumn. The best moments to sense its essence are during the early morning and dusk, when the day-trippers have departed and tranquility returns to Xidi. Do not be content with the bustle of the main street; venture into the quieter alleys, chat with elderly locals, and you might hear lesser-known stories. Must-visit spots include: the Memorial Archway of Hu Wenguang (the village landmark), Jing'ai Hall (the largest existing ancestral hall in Xidi), Doctor's Residence (famous for its street-facing "Bridal Chamber"), Dujing Hall (renowned for its exquisite wood carvings), and the "Qingyun Xuan" at the highest point in Xidi, which offers a panoramic view of the entire village. 

The largest ancestral hall in the entire village of Xidi (Jing'ai Hall) — photographed by myself.

Xidi Village is more than just a tourist destination; it is a dialogue with history, a baptism of culture, and a return to tranquility for the soul. On this land gently treated by time, every bluestone slab and every carved window speaks of past glory and wisdom. Including it on the list of "heritage sites to see before you die" is justified not only by its beauty but also because it carries the quintessence of Chinese culture, worthy of being personally experienced and deeply contemplated by everyone. When you stand in the ancient alleys of Xidi, touching the mottled walls, you might feel the flow of time and understand why these ancient heritage sites are so precious—they are bridges connecting us to history, the roots of our cultural identity, and the most valuable legacy for the future.

Finally, this article is dedicated to everyone！！