Brief Introduction
Praised as a world outside the world due to its unpolluted harmony of Nature and Manmade Culture.
Among all the rural complexes of South Anhui Province, Xidi and Hongcun are the most typical and renowned.
Xidi Village proper is composed of more than 300 civilresidences, most of which were built in the Ming and Qing dynasties.Backed by picturesque hills and towering ancient woods, this village isnoted for the harmony of its architecture and its colorful fields. Theresidential buildings are mostly black and white. The decorations alldisplay a strong flavor of the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the houses,there are collections of precious calligraphy and handicrafts. Pottedplants, fishing pools and flowerbeds give the whole village a sense ofharmony with Nature and Manmade Culture.
Hongcun Village is most noted for its overall designthat resembles the shape of an ox. Principal Street connects the SouthLake and the Moon Pond to the north and south, respectively. Theancient Academy of the South Lake (Nanhu Shuyuan) casts its shadow inthe lake and makes a tranquil scene together with ancient trees andgraceful buildings around it.
Cultural Heritage
Yi County, to the southwest of Mt. Huangshan, datesfrom the Qin Dynasty. Throughout more than two millennia, it hasenjoyed peace, and kept its original flavor of natural beauty andcultural creativity. It was once called the source of the plum-blossoms(Taohuayuan), a much-quoted term for a secluded paradise in Chineseliterature. The great Tang Dynasty poet Li Po (Li Bai) also wrote apoem in praise of it.
The inhabitants, originally people of the State ofYue, are renowned for their sense of independence and respect forculture and tradition.
Thanks to such traits and centuries of earnestefforts, about 3,000 buildings survive intact from the Ming and Qingdynasties. Even the smallest details of the domestic decorations arenow incarnations of the time-honored civilization of China.
Architecture
A typical traditional residence of southern AnhuiProvince is usually divided into three parts. With ingeniousarrangement, the whole space always looks unified and neat, as well asflexible and lively. Rooms are usually built symmetrically, with themain halls in the middle, flanked by side halls. Stairs are installedin the main hall, and an indoor skylight is made near the entrance forlighting and ventilation.
The roofs of the rural buildings are basically shapedlike upturned half-opened books, with raised beams or gable roofs. Theoutside wall is covered with black tiles in rippling or curling shapes,dotted with only small yet well-decorated windows. The main gate,framed in local blocks, usually has richly-decorated door casing madeof stones or bricks.
Landscape Gardens
Most of the family gardens are built in the front ofthe courtyard, while some are beside or behind the building. Small asthese gardens are, they are always designed with great originality andembody a profound poetic quality. The space is often divided,transformed and re-organized by hollowed windows, doors, screens,flowers or plants, giving an intricate sense of refreshment.
