Hongcun

Hongcun is located in the southwestern foot of Mt. Huangshan and about 11 kilometers off the southwest of Yixian County. In ancient time, it's the only access to Beijing to do business from Yixian. The whole village covers an area of about 28 hectares. Hongcun was first founded in the Shaoxing period of the Southern Song Dynasty (about AD. 1131-1162), with a history of about 900 years.

Hongcun has the system of streets and alleys which looks like square net. The ground is covered by granite stones. The manmade water system through all families forms unique space of Water Street and Alley. There are 158 domestic houses in existence, which were built in the Ming or Qing Dynasty. 137 houses of them are in a good state of preservation. The buildings of the Qing dynasty own not only beautiful surroundings, but also logical function layout. The structure is elegant and blends closely with nature. It creates a scientific living environment, which is also full of affection. It's one outstanding representative of China's traditional domestic houses.

Most villagers divert water in canals into houses, and forms "House Garden" and "Water Yard" which exist only in village. This makes the construction of Hongcun inaugurate the special house pattern of water-side pavilion of Hui constructions. Hongcun is an outstanding representative of Huizhou traditional local culture, building techniques and landscape design. It is full of much value of history, art and science.  It indeed is the witness of Huizhou traditional architectural culture. Hongcun has been listed into the Contents of World Cultural and Natural Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.