Short answer
Hongcun and Xidi share a UNESCO World Heritage listing with Huangshan itself, and they are the reason to add a day to a mountain trip. Both are Ming and Qing dynasty Huizhou settlements: white walls, dark tiles, stepped horse-head gables, interiors full of wood, brick and stone carving. They sit 10 to 15 km apart in Yi County, about an hour from Huangshan North Station.
Hongcun is the famous one. Its water system was designed in the shape of an ox, Moon Pond as the stomach and South Lake as the belly, and it appeared in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It is also the busier of the two, and photographers arrive at dawn for Moon Pond. Xidi is quieter, older in foundation, and holds 124 preserved Ming and Qing residences plus a stone archway at the entrance.
Entry is ¥104 per adult at the gate, often around ¥94 booked online, half price for students and some age groups, free for children under 1.2 m and visitors 65 and over. The Hongcun ticket is valid three days with re-entry, which makes an overnight worthwhile. The two villages are 20 to 30 minutes apart by road.
Why these two, out of dozens
Anhui's Huizhou region has many old villages. Hongcun and Xidi were inscribed by UNESCO in 2000 as "Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui" for a specific reason: they preserve an entire village fabric, not a handful of restored houses. Architecture, clan halls, academies and water infrastructure are largely intact.
They also show how Huizhou's merchant culture worked. Families who made money in trade elsewhere came home and built. The result is plain white exteriors with interiors carved to a standard that rivals imperial buildings, in the tradition called the "three carvings" of wood, brick and stone.
Hongcun: the ox-shaped water village
Hongcun was founded in 1131 during the Southern Song dynasty. Its layout follows an ox: Leigang Hill as the head, two 500-year-old trees as the horns, Moon Pond as the stomach, South Lake as the belly, the household canals as the intestines and four stream bridges as the legs. The water still runs past doorsteps and still supplies, drains and fire-protects the village.
What to look at:
- Moon Pond. The half-moon pool at the centre, ringed by Huizhou houses with red lanterns, best in early morning light.
- South Lake. The larger water body at the southern entrance, with the bridge from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Late afternoon is calmer.
- Chengzhi Hall. The standout interior, with more than 100 carved figures, birds, flowers and opera scenes in wood.
- The alleys. The village is a loop rather than a single sight; walking the lanes without a destination is the point.
Hongcun is the more commercial of the two, with guesthouses and cafes throughout. That is a trade-off rather than a flaw: you can sleep inside the village and see it at dawn and after dark, when day visitors are gone.
Xidi: the quieter one
Xidi was founded slightly earlier, in 1049, and takes its name from the post road that once ran past it. Its layout is described as boat-shaped, with the memorial archway at the entrance as the prow. It holds 124 preserved Ming and Qing residences and a set of ancestral halls.
What to look at:
- The Hu Wenguang memorial archway. A four-pillar, five-storey Ming dynasty stone archway at the village entrance, carved on both faces. The image most people associate with Xidi.
- Jingde Hall and the ancestral halls, where the village's clan structure becomes visible in architecture.
- Residential interiors. Courtyards, carved screens and small sky wells that collect light and rain. More of Xidi is residential than Hongcun, so it is quieter.
Xidi receives noticeably fewer visitors, which makes it easier to photograph and to walk slowly. With a full day, Hongcun in the morning and Xidi after lunch works well.
Hongcun versus Xidi
| Hongcun | Xidi | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1131, Southern Song | 1049, Northern Song |
| Shape | Ox, with a working water system | Boat, along an old post road |
| Signature sight | Moon Pond, South Lake | Hu Wenguang archway, ancestral halls |
| Preserved buildings | Over 140 residences, halls and academies | 124 Ming and Qing residences |
| Crowds | Heavy, especially midday | Moderate, noticeably quieter |
| Commercialisation | High, with plenty of guesthouses and cafes | Lower, more residential |
| Typical time needed | 3 to 4 hours, or overnight | 2 to 3 hours |
| Distance apart | 10-15 km, 20-30 minutes by road | |
With half a day, pick Hongcun: more iconic, easier to photograph, a better base for an overnight. With a full day, do both.
Tickets
| Ticket | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hongcun, adult, at the gate | ¥104 | Valid 3 days, multiple entries |
| Xidi, adult, at the gate | ¥104 | Valid 3 days, multiple entries |
| Online adult | Around ¥94 | Booked through the official mini program or a partner platform |
| Student, child 6-18, senior 60-65 | ¥52 | Valid ID required |
| Child under 6 or under 1.2 m | Free | Still needs a reservation slot |
| Senior 65 and over | Free | Passport or ID required |
| Combined Hongcun and Xidi | Around ¥180-208 | Hongcun 3-day plus Xidi, sold on some platforms |
Both villages are open all year. Ticket gates are staffed roughly 07:30 to 17:30 on ordinary days, to about 18:00 in summer and holidays.
Getting there
Yi County, where both villages sit, is west of Huangshan city. Huangshan North Railway Station is the rail hub and the most convenient starting point, even though it is further from the villages than the map suggests.
| Route | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Huangshan North Station to Hongcun | 1h 10m-1h 30m | ¥30-35 |
| Huangshan North Station to Xidi | 50 min-1h 10m | ¥25-30 |
| Tunxi (Huangshan city) to Hongcun | 1h 20m-1h 40m | ¥30-35 |
| Tunxi to Xidi | 1h 10m-1h 30m | ¥25-30 |
| Tangkou (Huangshan South Gate) to Hongcun | About 45 min | ¥13-20 |
| Hongcun to Xidi | 20-30 min | Around ¥8-40 depending on mode |
Buses from Huangshan North leave the Passenger Transport Hub next to the station, roughly hourly during daylight. From Tunxi, buses to Hongcun run every 30 to 60 minutes. From Tangkou there are direct services to Hongcun, which makes pairing mountain and village straightforward: descend, eat, take an afternoon bus.
Between the villages, shuttle buses run frequently for a few yuan. Didi is unreliable in Yi County, so the alternatives are the shuttle, a guesthouse-arranged driver, or a taxi at around ¥30-40. Arrange the return leg if you are staying late.
Should you stay overnight?
Yes, if you can. Hongcun changes character once the day-trippers leave. Moon Pond at first light and South Lake after 17:00 are the calmest, best-lit moments, and re-entry is free.
Guesthouses inside the village are mostly converted Huizhou houses: small rooms in old buildings, which is the appeal. Many accept foreign passports, but confirm before booking. See hotels that take foreign guests.
Food in the villages is Huizhou cooking: braised pork with preserved vegetables, stinky mandarin fish, bamboo shoots, wild vegetables. Heavier and saltier than Cantonese food, and genuinely regional.
Practical notes
- Go early or go late. Between about 10:00 and 15:00 tour groups dominate both villages, Hongcun especially.
- English guiding is limited. On-site guides speak Chinese, so arrange a private English guide in advance.
- Cash in small notes helps. Rural buses take cash and drivers rarely have change for large bills. Alipay and WeChat Pay cover the villages.
- Pack light for the alleys. The lanes are narrow and unevenly paved, and wheeled luggage is a nuisance on them.
- Add Chengkan or Bishan for a third village with fewer people, reachable from Huangshan North or by hired car.
Frequently asked questions
Are Hongcun and Xidi worth visiting?
Yes. They hold the same UNESCO listing as the mountain and preserve whole villages rather than single monuments. Even one adds a different day to a mountain itinerary.
Which is better, Hongcun or Xidi?
Hongcun is more iconic and better for photography, with the Moon Pond and South Lake. Xidi is quieter and more residential. With half a day, choose Hongcun. With a full day, do both.
How much is entry to each village?
Around ¥104 per adult at the gate, often about ¥94 online. Concessions are ¥52, and children under 1.2 m and visitors 65 and over usually enter free. Tickets last three days with re-entry.
How do I get from Huangshan to Hongcun?
Buses run from the Passenger Transport Hub at Huangshan North, roughly hourly during daylight, taking 1h 10m to 1h 30m for about ¥30. From Tunxi, every 30 to 60 minutes. From Tangkou, direct services, about 45 minutes.
Can I visit both villages in one day?
Yes. Hongcun in the morning, shuttle or taxi the 10 to 15 km to Xidi after lunch. Budget 3 to 4 hours for Hongcun, 2 to 3 for Xidi, plus the transfer.
Should I stay overnight in Hongcun?
If your schedule allows, yes. The village is calmest at dawn and after 17:00, and the three-day ticket makes re-entry free. Confirm the guesthouse accepts foreign guests before booking.
Do I need to book village tickets in advance?
Both run real-name entry. Booking through the official mini program or an English-language platform saves money and avoids the worst queues. On-site ticket offices exist, but high season lines are long.
Can I visit a village on the same day I arrive or leave by train?
Usually yes from Huangshan North, since buses to both villages leave from the hub next to the station and take about an hour. Check the last return departure before you commit; Didi is unreliable in Yi County.
Related reading
Ticket prices, opening hours and bus fares follow published 2026 figures from the villages, the Huangshan transport authority and operator listings, and are quoted as approximate. Online discounts, gate staffing and bus timetables change with season and holidays. Confirm current prices and departure times through the official channel or your guesthouse before travel.