2026 Nanping Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in September)

After visiting Huizhou three times and experiencing sunny, rainy, and cloudy days in Xidi and Hongcun, I still have to marvel at how amazing the filming locations of the Huimo drama "Family Business" are! From the dawn at the city gate arch to Li Zhen's ink workshop and the lively fish lantern show, the Xidi and Hongcun villages I walked through are truly the "Family Business" pain villages! Bookmark this guide👇 You can easily visit all the filming locations from the drama in just two days! · ⚠️ First time visiting Yixian, please note: 1⃣ Xidi and Hongcun belong to Yixian County, Anhui Province. For the high-speed train, choose [Yixian East Station]. It takes about 13 minutes by taxi to Xidi Ancient Village. 2⃣ Xidi Ancient Village and Hongcun are two separate Huizhou ancient villages. You can visit them separately or buy a combined ticket for 159 RMB; taxi ride between them takes about half an hour. 3⃣ Yixian 2-day travel route: Day 1: Xidi Ancient Village (visit Yang Zi and Li Zhen's ink workshop during the day, watch the fish lantern show at night) Day 2: Hongcun ➠ Lucun ➠ Nanping · 🔥✅ Xidi Ancient Village: ‼️ Must-visit filming location of Li Zhen’s home from "Family Business" 📍 The Paifang Square is a replica of Li Zhen’s home, very authentic and you can even watch NPC performances. 🌟 On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, you can experience ink making~ Touch the ink-making life of Li Zhen, including collecting pine soot and drying ink sticks! 📸 Photo spots: 1⃣ Ink-making table with Hu Wenguang Paifang in the frame 2⃣ Check in at Ink Road, Ink Master, Huimo ink, one tael of gold, one tael of ink ‼️ Xidi Ancient Village tour route: Hu Wenguang Paifang ➠ Li Zhen’s Home ➠ Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum ➠ Jing’ai Hall ➠ East Garden ➠ West Garden ➠ Doctor’s Residence ➠ Streets and Alleys Each spot is worth exploring carefully, especially the couplets in Xidi which hide wisdom! · ✅ Hongcun check-in spots: 1⃣ Nanhu Painting Bridge, a classic Hongcun photo spot, featured many times in the drama 2⃣ Yue Zhao (Moon Pond), very photogenic, beautiful in both landscape and portrait shots! ✅ Lucun morning mist, perfect for sunrise and morning mist viewing 📍 Lucun Viewing Platform, free entry ✅ Nanping Village: 🎫 38 RMB, classic photo spot accessed through a small Western-style house, 10 RMB per person separately · So excited! Recently binge-watching the drama, and on weekends when free, going to visit the real filming locations! Just thinking about it feels wonderful!! ‼️ Secret to avoiding crowds! Be sure to enter the scenic area early in the morning when there are fewer people!!

🔥 Ancient Red Cliffs Battlefield: Brush past Zhou Yu in the river breeze and listen to the great fire from a thousand years ago I always thought "Red Cliffs" was just a passage in textbooks until I stood on the rocky shore by the Yangtze River. The river breeze mixed with mist hit my face, and I truly understood what it means when people say "The landscape is like a painting, and countless heroes emerged in a moment." This deep tour guide of the Ancient Red Cliffs Battlefield will take you into the real scene of the Three Kingdoms. 📅 Before You Go: Preparation for a Journey Through a Thousand Years Best time to visit: Spring and autumn are ideal, from March to May when flowers bloom and from September to November when the weather is clear and crisp. Avoid the scorching summer and the cold river winds in winter. If you want to watch performances, remember to avoid Mondays and Tuesdays (no shows), but holidays are normal. How to get there: Take the high-speed train to Chibi North Station, then take a taxi to the North City Bus Station (about 10 yuan), and then take a shuttle bus to Chibi Town (10 yuan per person, about 1 hour). From there, it’s a 10-minute walk to the scenic area entrance. If driving, exit at "Chibi" on the Jinggang'ao Expressway and follow the tourist expressway straight to the site. Ticket information: Around 80 yuan at the gate, with discounts for seniors and students. Children under 6 years old or under 1.2 meters tall enter free, and seniors over 70 enter free. Accommodation recommendation: For an immersive experience, highly recommend Chibi Dingtou International Hotel—newly opened in 2025, right next to the ticket office, just a 1-minute walk to the park entrance. Featuring modern Chinese design and full smart home facilities, guests praise it as "perfect location, super convenient for travel." If on a budget, stay in Chibi city for more options. 🌟 One-Day Highlight Route: Re-reading the Three Kingdoms on the Ruins The scenic area is laid out in a loop, about 5 kilometers in total, taking 3-4 hours to tour without backtracking. First stop: Jinluan Mountain · Fengchu Nunnery (Pang Tong’s Study Place) Turn left at the entrance and climb the steps to Jinluan Mountain. Midway up the mountain is Fengchu Nunnery with white walls and blue tiles, simple and elegant. It is said to be where Pang Tong studied military books. In front of the nunnery stands a thousand-year-old ginkgo tree with branches like a giant umbrella, glowing golden in autumn. Standing there, you can almost hear the conversation between Pang Tong and Zhuge Liang from a thousand years ago. Second stop: Nanping Mountain · Baifeng Terrace (Zhuge Liang Borrowing the East Wind) Cross the Forgetting Bridge to the top of Nanping Mountain, the "main battlefield" where Zhuge Liang prayed for the east wind. The Baifeng Terrace from the Ming Wanli era stands quietly here. Close your eyes and you can see Kongming, with his feather fan and silk kerchief, looking up to the sky, borrowing the east wind that changed history. Behind Baifeng Terrace is the Stele Forest Museum, housing poems and essays praising Red Cliffs by famous writers through the ages. Third stop: Chibi Mountain · Zhou Lang Statue (Face to Face with a Hero) Turn to Chibi Mountain, where on the open rocky shore stands the stone statue of Zhou Yu—8 meters tall, dressed in battle robes, holding a sharp sword, his gaze piercingly proud facing the Yangtze River. Standing beneath the statue and looking up, you truly feel what "heroic and spirited" means. Nearby is Yijiang Pavilion, said to be Zhou Yu’s command post during the battle. Fourth stop: Cliff Inscriptions · The Characters "Chibi" (Soul Check-in Spot) Follow the steep stone steps down to the riverbank, where the huge characters "Chibi" are carved on the cliff by the river. Legend says Zhou Yu wrote them in high spirits after his victory. The strokes are vigorous and powerful, still clear after a thousand years of wind and rain. Above the characters is a "Luan" symbol carved by Tang dynasty’s Lü Dongbin, made to comfort the souls of the dead. Standing here, the Yangtze flows right beneath your feet, and across the river is Wulin, where Cao Cao once camped. Fifth stop: Red Cliffs Battle Exhibition Hall (Travel Back to the Three Kingdoms) On the way back, visit the exhibition hall with its spherical dome building, displaying historical materials related to the Battle of Red Cliffs and artifacts unearthed from the Han and Wei periods. Wax figures and sculptures recreate the battlefield scenes. Crossbows, meteor wooden horses, statues of strategists and generals from the Three Kingdoms—over 1700 years of history come alive here. 🍜 Taste of Red Cliffs: Must-Try Flavors Three must-eats: Red Cliffs Fish Cake (fresh and springy), smoked meat cooked with yellow-bone fish (savory and flavorful), and Red Cliffs Brick Tea (rich and sweet aftertaste). At the scenic area entrance, farmhouse dishes cost about 40-50 yuan per person; "Chibi Renjia" is recommended. For authentic flavors, visit "Yuxiang" restaurant in Chibi city. 💡 Tips from Experienced Travelers 1. Be sure to watch the performances! The scenic area offers live shows like "Opening Ceremony" and "Liu Bei’s Marriage Proposal." Confirm showtimes upon entry. 2. Wear comfortable shoes; the tour involves walking and climbing. Although there are stone paths, 3-4 hours of walking is not easy. 3. After 4 PM, the light and shadow are most beautiful. The cliff inscriptions glow golden in the slanting sun—perfect for photos. 4. Bring some historical knowledge. Review the Battle of Red Cliffs chapter in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" before you go to deepen your experience tenfold. 5. Bring snacks and water. There are vendors inside but choices are limited. --- Standing by the Yangtze River, the water still flows eastward. The fires of battle have long been extinguished, but those two characters remain, that statue remains, and the heroic spirit remains. Go to Red Cliffs—not just to check in, but to brush past them in the river breeze, a thousand years ago. 🌊

Transportation Guide - Driving, Bus, High-speed Rail Local attractions - Nanping Scenic Area, Nanping Village Ancient Buildings Hotel-GreenTree Inn, Yixian Qitang Concept Hotel Food and restaurants - Lachun Hotel, Deyilou, Xunyang Hotel Shopping Guide - Yingzi Clothing, Fuchang Supermarket

Tachuan: An Autumn Fairytale in a Hui-Style Ancient Village 🍁 This is a small Hui-style mountain village famous for its autumn colors, primarily featuring natural scenery! I've been to Anhui several times, but only once to Tachuan—I was incredibly lucky to arrive during peak viewing season; the hillsides were ablaze with the breathtaking red leaves of the tallow trees! Wandering through this picturesque landscape where Hui-style architecture and natural scenery intertwine, every snapshot is a masterpiece 📸 Nanping: A Hidden Gem in a Hui-Style Architectural Museum 🏮 Compared to the bustling Hongcun and Xidi villages, this place is quieter and more charming! 73 ancestral halls and 36 ancient wells bear witness to a thousand years of Huizhou history—every snapshot amidst the white walls and black tiles tells a story ✨ 【Itinerary Tips】 ☑️ Best Time: Mid-November ☑️ Recommended Combination: Tachuan Natural Scenery + Nanping Cultural Tour ☑️ Outfit Suggestion: Hanfu/Artistic Style are both photogenic! Photo lovers, you absolutely must come check this out! The autumn colors here are just as stunning as any popular Instagram spot! What do you think of my photos? Let me know in the comments! 🥰

"A lifetime of enchantment, yet no dreams of Huizhou." Don't blame me for telling everyone, Huizhou's spring is God's overturned palette. While the north is still slumbering in the biting cold of early spring, the mountains and waters here have been awakened by a grand floral event. Layers of rapeseed flowers bloom along the mountains and rivers, and Huizhou-style villages with white walls and black tiles, like ancient seals, are carefully stamped by nature onto this flowing spring scroll painting, perfectly suited for kids to experience the Jiangnan spring scenery immersively. 🌼【Huizhou Spring · 2-Day Family Trip Guide】 Centered around Yixian County, take your kids to explore at a leisurely pace, no rushing, easily unlocking the beauty of Huizhou's spring. D1 Xidi – Listen to the rain and admire flowers in "The Peach Blossom Spring Village" Morning: Arrive and explore. Compared to Hongcun, Xidi is quieter and has a deeper cultural heritage. The Hu Wenguang Memorial Archway at the village entrance is an iconic landmark, appearing even more majestic against the backdrop of the surrounding rapeseed fields, perfect for giving kids a lively introductory lesson on ancient architecture. Afternoon: Stroll through the ancient village. No need to deliberately follow a route; just wander slowly through the bluestone alleys. Take your kids to admire the exquisite wood carvings and stone carvings, and listen to stories of the ancient village's past prosperity under the tall firewalls, easy on the legs. D2 Nanping—Hongcun – Step from a movie scene into a painting. 1️⃣Nanping This is a filming location for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." The labyrinthine seventy-two alleys are perfect for a treasure hunt with kids. There are relatively fewer tourists, and the rapeseed flowers blend more naturally with the ancient architecture, making for great photos without the crowds. 2️⃣Hongcun As "the village in a Chinese painting," Hongcun's Nanhu Lake and Moon Pond are must-visit scenic spots. The artists sketching by Nanhu Lake are a scenic view in themselves, and the reflections of the ancient village in Moon Pond never get old, no matter how many times you photograph them. Let your kids experience the gentle charm of this water town. ✨Family Travel Tips ▪️There are buses between the villages, so you don't need to transfer frequently when traveling with kids. ▫️Appreciate the flowers responsibly; do not step on the flower fields. Set a good example for your children. ▪️The bluestone paths are uneven, so have your kids wear comfortable, non-slip shoes. ▫️Both breakfast and dinner in the villages offer Huizhou specialties. You can choose milder options to suit children's tastes. Accommodation 🏨Shili Lili Pan Honey Moon · Qingmei Academy A semi-mountainous luxury hotel in Hongcun, featuring Huizhou-style courtyards with an infinity pool. Open the window to see bamboo forests and tea mountains. Fully equipped for families. 🏨Tachuan Academy A wild luxury guesthouse in an ancient Huizhou village, with private Huizhou-style buildings and a pastoral landscape. Kids can experience farm activities. 🏨Moshangju A high-end guesthouse within the Xidi scenic area, a renovated century-old Huizhou mansion that preserves the essence of ancient architecture. Family rooms are spacious and comfortable. 🏨Qingyuan Guesthouse A boutique guesthouse within the Nanping scenic area, a renovated Qing Dynasty ancient residence. The courtyard is quiet and elegant, allowing kids to immerse themselves in the slow pace of ancient village life.

【Amazing Hotel Check-in】⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🏨Wingate Wyndham Zhuhai 📍No. 8, Yuedong Lane, Nanping Town, Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China (Dongqiao Building)✨ 💥Top 3 Reasons to Like It 1️⃣ Same-day round trip to Macau 🇲🇴 Gongbei Port, only 10 minutes away 2️⃣ 5 minutes from Huafa Mall 🛍️ Super convenient for shopping 3️⃣ 5-star smart room for just over 300 RMB per person💰 🤖High-tech Experience · "Little Wen" is available on call 🗣️ Voice-controlled lights and curtains · 270° electric panoramic windows 🌇 Enjoy sunrise and sunset views · Family toy area + children's toiletries 👶 Free up parents' hands 🚗Travel Buffs √ Fast charging station for new energy vehicles ⚡ √ Free car wash for 3 consecutive nights' stay √ Business van shuttle service 🚐 · ————✨Noodle lovers✨————— I've discovered a hidden gem in Beishan, Zhuhai! This Vietnamese restaurant is a paradise for noodle lovers 🇻🇳 Located in the old street near the Wyndham Zhuhai Hotel Sisters, come check it out! 💃A treasure trove discovered by accident Retro posters + rattan tables and chairs + colorful tiles The Southeast Asian atmosphere is off the charts ✨ Every snapshot is Instagram-worthy! 🍜3 Must-Try Dishes: 1️⃣Signature Beef Rice Noodles The broth is milky white and rich, and the rice noodles are incredibly smooth! The raw beef cooks in just 3 seconds, and with a touch of lime juice and mint leaves, the taste is absolutely amazing! The kind of soup you can even finish! 👍 2️⃣ Double Egg Basil Pork Rice: The moment you poke the runny egg, the yolk coated in spicy minced pork makes you scream! The rice is perfectly cooked, each grain distinct and incredibly flavorful—you'll finish it in no time! 3️⃣ Fried Squid Tentacles with Dipping Sauce: Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside! The outer layer is super crispy, while the inside is incredibly chewy. Paired with the special dipping sauce, it's simply irresistible! 🤤 Other Must-Try Dishes: 🥭 Mango Shrimp Rolls: Refreshing and perfect for summer 🫔 Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls: Super crispy and crunchy! 🍹 Thai Lemon Tea: Sweet and sour, a great appetizer and perfect for cutting through the richness of other dishes 💰 50 RMB per person, eat until you're stuffed! 📍 Address: PHO MI, Midan ⏰ Opening Hours: 10:30-21:30 This isn't some mass-produced trendy restaurant. Every bite tastes like it was made with care. Vietnamese food lovers absolutely must try it! I've already started planning my second viewing! 🤩

🌟A hidden gem in Yixian, Huangshan—Nanping ancient village✨ 📍Location: About 4 km southwest of Yixian (recommended to drive or take a taxi) This millennium-old village, founded in the Northern Song Dynasty, is named after the Nanping Mountain behind it🏔️ The entire village covers 162,000 sq m and preserves the most authentic Huizhou architectural style~ 🏯Must-visit spots: · Small village square: enjoy a cluster of Huizhou ancient buildings · Nanping Mountain trail: the best spot for panoramic views of the village · Ancient streets and alleys: every shot captures the ink-wash charm of Huizhou ⛅️Best time to visit: Rainy days are especially poetic! In the misty rain, the white walls and dark tiles look even more poetic, as if traveling back a thousand years👘 📸Photo tips: 1. Wear traditional-style clothing for standout shots 2. Use a wide-angle lens to capture the architecture cluster 3. Drone shots are incredibly stunning This place is free from over-commercialization and has few visitors, truly a refreshing presence among Huizhou ancient towns~ Don’t miss this hidden village when visiting Huangshan! Copyright image. Please do not use without permission!

✨Hidden travel gem recommendation✨ About 4 km southwest of the county seat lies Nanping Village, a thousand-year-old Huizhou village dating back to the Northern Song Dynasty! It’s free from over-commercialization and preserves the most authentic Huizhou charm🌿 🏞️Environment features: · Backed by Nanping Mountain, shaped like a folding screen, hence the name "Nanping Village" · Covers about 162,000 square meters, quite a large scale · Typical Huizhou architecture with horse-head walls and small green tiles · Stone-paved ancient alleys crisscross like a time tunnel🛎️ 📸Photo tips: · Most atmospheric in the early morning mist · Horse-head walls look most poetic on rainy days · Wearing Hanfu or simple elegant clothing makes for better photos 💡Tips: · Recommended to visit in the morning to avoid crowds Copyright image. Please do not use without permission!

If you want a quiet place to relax on your Huizhou vacation, be sure to stay at Boyin Republic of China guesthouse in Hongcun! 📍Location advantage Right between the Hongcun, Xidi, and Nanping scenic areas. It’s close to all the attractions but much quieter than the areas around the parks, perfect for a slow-paced vacation. ✨Special experience Huizhou-style courtyard with Republic of China–style interiors. Every detail is thoughtfully arranged. There’s also an outdoor pool. Rooms come with free qipao rentals, and the owner’s wife will help take photos with a high success rate. Many guests extend their stay by a day because it’s so comfortable. 🍜Dining service No need to find food yourself. The hostess cooks authentic Huizhou home-style dishes with a new menu every day. Delicious and hassle-free. The whole place costs 1xxx, and with 3 people sharing, the average is just 300+. Don’t miss it if you enjoy a slow vacation.

📍 Introduction Nanping Ancient Village is located about 4 km southwest of Yixian County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, and is named after Nanping Mountain, which resembles a screen to the north of the village. The entire village is home to over 300 ancient residential buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, 8 ancestral halls, 36 ancient wells, and 72 ancient alleys, earning it the reputation of "Museum of Ancient Chinese Ancestral Hall Architecture." What's even cooler, it's also a filming location for "Ju Dou" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," known as "China's Film and Television Village"! 🚗 Address and transportation Address: Nanping Village, Biyang Town, Yixian County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province How to get there: · High-speed train: Arrive at Huangshan North Station, then transfer to a shuttle bus to Hongcun (every 30 mins, CNY 30), and then take a taxi or ride-share from Hongcun. · Long-distance bus: Take a bus from Huangshan Bus Station to Yixian Bus Station (approx. 1.5 hours), then transfer to a shuttle bus to Nanping at the same station (a little over 10 mins). · Self-driving: Navigate to "Nanping Scenic Area," take provincial highway S218 directly. There is a parking lot at the village entrance. · Taxi: From Yixian East Station to Nanping is about a 30-minute drive. 🎫 Ticket guide Tickets range from CNY 30–43, and opening hours are 7:00 AM–5:30 PM. During certain periods, specific groups (e.g., under 18 years old) may be eligible for free admission, so remember to check the latest announcements before you go! After purchasing tickets, the scenic area will arrange a free tour guide. The keys to some old houses are with the guide, so you can only enter by following them. 🗺️ Recommended itinerary It is recommended to enter from the northwest gate > cross Wansong Bridge into the village > head straight to the Ye Family Ancestral Hall (Xuzhi Hall) — 80% of the scenes in "Ju Dou" were filmed here, and colorful dyed cloths and movie stills are still displayed in the hall! > then to the adjacent Ye Family Branch Ancestral Hall (Kuiguang Hall), where Zhang Ziyi and Michelle Yeoh fought in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" > then get delightfully lost in the 72 ancient alleys, where you might stumble upon century-old houses like Bingling Pavilion, Bantashanfang, and Xiaoyanglou around any corner. The entire tour takes about 4–5 hours. ⚠️ Tips to avoid pitfalls 1. Don't wear high heels! The bluestone paths are uneven, and the 72 alleys twist and turn; flat shoes are essential. 2. The alleys are like a maze, and it's easy to get lost if you're unfamiliar. It's recommended to follow a guide first, then explore on your own. 3. It's hard to find a return vehicle, so don't leave too late if you're not staying overnight. 4. If you encounter enthusiastic local elders sharing stories about the ancient houses, you can give them a small tip for their explanation. 5. Keep your ticket with you; tickets are checked within the village. Nanping lacks the hustle and bustle of Hongcun and the crowds of Xidi. Here, there are only blue bricks and black tiles, crisscrossing alleys, and the tranquility accumulated over time. Come to Nanping, get lost in its maze-like ancient alleys, and you might just stumble upon a scene from a movie around the corner 🎬

Friends! Is Hongcun and Xidi too commercialized? 🤫 This thousand-year-old village featured in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Ju Dou 72 maze-like alleys + 8 ancestral halls + thousands of acres of farmland So few people you can hear your own footsteps 👣 Just over 1,000 per person, stay in a Ming and Qing dynasty old house and be a movie star for a while! · -- 🏨 [Where to stay] Top choice: Nanping Xishe guesthouse 📍A century-old Huizhou house inside the scenic area, built during the Guangxu era Antique southern Anhui courtyard + French country style rooms, an amazing mix 🌿 The owner is super friendly, the auntie’s cooking smells great, about 300 yuan/night 4 days ≈ 1,200 yuan, live inside the scenery Backup: Guesthouses outside the scenic area offer better value, around 200 yuan/night Or stay in Yixian county town for easy access to Xidi and Hongcun · -- 🗺️ [4 days 3 nights itinerary] Day 1️⃣ First encounter with Nanping | Step into a movie set Arrive in the afternoon at Huangshan North Station/Yixian East Station, about 1 hour by taxi to Nanping Explore Nanping scenic area (ticket 43 yuan/person) 🎫 Head straight to the Ye ancestral hall (Xuchitang) 80% of Ju Dou was filmed here! The dye workshop props are still there, the courtyard light and shadow are amazing Then visit the Ye branch ancestral hall (Kuiguangtang) Filming location for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon! 86 ginkgo wood pillars support the hall, imagine Zhang Ziyi and Michelle Yeoh’s fight scene 🤺 Watch the sunset over the farmland at Wansong Bridge Rapeseed flowers in spring, rice waves in autumn, distant mountains like ink paintings 🌾 · -- Day 2️⃣ Lost day | Wander through 72 alleys at will Morning wandering the maze-like ancient alleys 72 alleys crisscross with high walls, narrow lanes, and bluestone slabs. Getting lost is the right way to explore 🗺️ Check in at the carved hall with gilded wood carvings, Huizhou wood-carved ceiling The Shensi Hall kitchen has four stoves from different eras side by side, like time travel Afternoon visit the Cheng ancestral hall to see exquisite wood, stone, and brick carvings Details are stunning, a dream for photography lovers 📸 Stay overnight in an old house guesthouse, listen to swallows whisper, drink tea and chat under the eaves 🍵 · -- Day 3️⃣ Countryside stroll | Optional trip to Xidi Rent a bike in the morning and ride 16 km to Xidi ancient village A textbook example of Huizhou style! Hu Wenguang archway + Zhumutang, grand and exquisite Or stay in Nanping and relax: Stroll through the countryside, watch cows wandering in rapeseed fields, full of relaxation 🐂 Find an old house to eat firewood-cooked meals, stinky mandarin fish, wild celery, and bamboo shoot pork stew At night, you can stay back in Nanping or go to Yixian ancient town to see the night view · -- Day 4️⃣ Leisurely finish | Intangible cultural heritage experience + return Morning visit Bishan village (very close to Nanping) Read at Bishan bookshop, make fish lantern crafts, have a cup of coffee 📖 Have an authentic Huizhou meal for lunch to wrap up Buy some Hu ink, She inkstone, or dried bamboo shoots as souvenirs 🎁 Return at your own pace 🚄 · -- 💰 [4,000 yuan budget breakdown] Item Cost Notes Main transport 800 yuan High-speed rail round trip (varies by departure city) 3 nights accommodation 1,200 yuan Old house guesthouse about 300–400 yuan/night Meals 700 yuan Firewood meals + Huizhou cuisine + snacks Tickets 150 yuan Nanping 43 + Xidi 94 (optional) Local transport 200 yuan Taxi + rental Others 300 yuan Craft experience + souvenirs 💰 Total ≈ 3,350 yuan, save the rest for a big meal or upgraded stay! · -- 📸 [Photo spots collection] ✅ Ye ancestral hall courtyard: light streaming from the roof, very cinematic ✅ Corner of 72 ancient alleys: weathered high walls + bluestone slabs, a cultural masterpiece ✅ Carved hall gilded wood carvings: a must-shoot for detail lovers, great close-ups ✅ Wansong Bridge viewing platform: overlook farmland + mountains, different colors each season ✅ Small Western-style building: a surprise blend of Chinese and Western architecture hidden in the alleys · -- ⚠️ [Avoid pitfalls tips] 1️⃣ Many old houses in Nanping are usually locked. You need a guide to open the door! It’s recommended to hire a guide at the visitor center (a few dozen yuan), the stories are fascinating 2️⃣ Old house guesthouses have average soundproofing and narrow stairs. If you have allergies, prepare insect protection in spring and summer 3️⃣ Wear flat shoes! Stone slabs + high steps, no high heels 👠 4️⃣ Rapeseed flowers in spring and rice waves in autumn are the most beautiful. Avoid summer vacation crowds for a better experience 5️⃣ Nanping to Xidi is 16 km, taxis or rentals are both convenient · -- 💎 Hide away in the thousand-year-old maze village, have a cup of tea in the ancestral hall from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon— Nanping has none of Hongcun’s noise, only the warmth of alleys and the lingering film atmosphere 🎬🏯

Social anxiety? Nanping ancient village is a hidden gem! Avoid the crowds and fully experience the ink-wash Huizhou atmosphere Opening highlights Tired of the crowds at Hongcun and Xidi? Just 15 minutes by car from Hongcun, Nanping is the authentic, secluded ancient village of Huizhou! With 72 maze-like alleys, 8 Ming and Qing dynasty ancestral halls, and the original filming location of Zhang Yimou’s “Ju Dou,” it’s barely commercialized, has no crowded tour groups, offers half-price tickets, and is full of local life. Perfect for photography, culture lovers, and those seeking a quiet, slow-paced visit. 📌 Basic travel info ▫️ Address: Nanping Village, Biyang Town, Yi County, Huangshan City ▫️ Hours: 7:30 AM–5:30 PM. Ticket check ends at 5 PM ▫️ Visit duration: 2.5 hours for a quick visit, half a day recommended for a deep, slow tour ▫️ Tickets: 43 yuan offline | 38 yuan online on Trip.com, valid for 3 days with multiple entries ▫️ Discounts: Full-time students and seniors 60+ pay half price at 21 yuan; children under 1.2 m and seniors 65+ with ID enter free ▫️ Tips: Pick up a free paper guide map at the entrance. Random ticket checks inside ancestral halls. Do not skip ticketing 🚗 Three transportation options (tested and reliable) 1. High-speed rail (best for out-of-town visitors) Arrive at Yi County East Station → take the No. 9 scenic shuttle bus directly to the village entrance. Departure times: 7:00 AM, 10:40 AM, 2:00 PM, 4:40 PM. Fare 3 yuan. 30-minute ride. Limited schedule, plan carefully. 2. County transfer From Yi County bus station, take the Xibu urban-rural bus, 2 yuan per person, departs every 20 minutes, 25 minutes direct to village entrance. Last return at 4:30 PM. 3. Self-drive or combined trip (on the way to Hongcun/Xidi) Search “Nanping Village parking lot” for free outdoor parking. Carpool or taxi from Hongcun costs 20–30 yuan, 15 minutes direct. Easily visit Hongcun, Lucun, and Nanping in one day. 🏯 Five must-visit core spots (in recommended order) 1. Xuzhitang (Ye family ancestral hall | core filming location of “Ju Dou”) The largest Ming dynasty ancestral hall in Nanping, with 80 massive wooden pillars creating a grand atmosphere. It fully preserves the old Yang family dye workshop and cloth drying racks from the film. The second-floor corridor is a hidden exclusive spot for overhead shots of the courtyard’s cloth-dyeing vibe. A plaque personally inscribed by Empress Dowager Cixi hangs on the beam. The wood and stone carvings are among Huizhou’s top three masterpieces. 2. Kuiguangtang (the first clan hall in southern Anhui) Filming location of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” featuring century-old nanmu wood beams and intricately carved decorations throughout. It houses an ancient private school with old desks and chairs fully preserved. The courtyard’s feng shui layout is worth a close look. Few visitors make it a peaceful, immersive experience of Huizhou architecture craftsmanship. 3. 72 maze-like alleys (the village’s soul) The village has 72 deep alleys running north-south and east-west, with high walls and narrow lanes. Bluestone slabs are covered with moss from years of rain. Recommended alleys to visit include Bubugao Sheng Alley, Caiyuan Alley, and Sanyuan Well Alley. The light and shadow layers inside the alleys are excellent. On rainy days, the misty atmosphere is perfect for shooting ancient-style photos without people. 4. Bingling Pavilion + Xiaosi Building A Ming dynasty-style residence. Bingling Pavilion is named for the icicles hanging under the eaves in winter. The wooden corridor is built by the water. The second-floor window offers stunning reflections of white walls. From Xiaosi Building, you can climb up to overlook the entire village’s horse-head wall panorama. 5. Wansonglin Water Entrance Garden + Sanyuan Ancient Well At the village entrance is a cluster of century-old trees. The Wansong Stone Bridge is the best spot for panoramic village photos. Inside the village are 36 ancient wells. The well rim of Sanyuan Well is polished smooth from a century of water drawing. Villagers washing clothes and vegetables are common scenes, perfect for authentic local life shots. 🗺️ Best one-day route without backtracking 8:00 AM Enter village from parking lot, shoot village panorama at Wansonglin Stone Bridge 8:40 AM Visit Xuzhitang and the “Ju Dou” dye workshop, take photos from the second-floor spot 10. 00 AM Admire wood carvings and ancient private school at Kuiguangtang 11. 30 AM Wander through 72 alleys, visit Sanyuan Well and less crowded lanes 12. 30 PM Eat authentic Huizhou cuisine at a local farmhouse restaurant 2. 00 PM Visit Bingling Pavilion and climb Xiaosi Building for views 3. 30 PM Experience bamboo weaving and plant dyeing workshops in the alleys 4. 30 PM Stroll through rice fields at the village entrance, wait for soft sunset light 5. 30 PM Return or stay overnight at a village guesthouse to watch the stars 🏡 Two types of accommodation recommendations 1. Affordable village homestays (for a day trip transition) Locally owned guesthouses with windows facing ancient alleys, 2-minute walk to ancestral halls. Prices range from 120 to 220 yuan per person. Hosts can help book transportation and explain village history. 2. High-end aesthetic guesthouses (for a slow vacation) Pigsty Bar and Qingyuan ancient house guesthouses are renovated century-old Huizhou homes with terrace views of rice fields and private dining. Ideal for photography and slow travel. Prices start at 350 yuan per person. 🍲 Authentic Huizhou food tips to avoid tourist traps Avoid the popular street restaurants near the northwest gate. Head deeper into the alleys to local eateries. ✅ Must-try dishes: stinky mandarin fish, fermented tofu, bamboo shoot skin braised pork, stone ear mushroom stewed chicken ✅ Street snacks: grandma’s preserved vegetable flatbread at village entrance, 3 yuan each, mugwort rice cake ✅ Specialty afternoon tea: tea houses in the alleys with stove-brewed tea, sit quietly and enjoy views of distant mountains and rice fields 📸 Best photo times and outfit guide ▫️ Morning 6:40–9:00 AM: soft misty light, almost no visitors in the village ▫️ Evening 4:00–6:00 PM: warm golden backlight, strong contrast with white walls and black tiles ▫️ Outfit: light-colored cotton and linen, modern Chinese qipao, Hanfu, all suit the ink-wash ancient village vibe ▫️ Seasonal highlights: rapeseed flowers surround the village in March, full autumn drying in November, atmosphere at its peak ⚠️ Local insider tips to avoid pitfalls 1. Tour groups gather at the two main ancestral halls from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Enter at 8 AM to enjoy the entire ancient buildings alone. 2. For self-driving, don’t search for the main scenic gate. The roads are narrow and hard for passing. Use the free village parking lot. 3. The village’s stone paths are often mossy and slippery when wet. Avoid high heels and slippers. Non-slip shoes are a must. 4. Do not touch the wood carvings and cultural relics in the ancestral halls. Do not enter residents’ homes in the alleys without permission. 5. Large temperature differences between day and night. Bring a light jacket in spring and summer. Mosquitoes are common in the mountains, carry insect repellent. 6. Taxi service is limited for the return trip. You can ask your guesthouse host to book a driver in advance. ✨ Final recommendation Compared to heavily commercialized popular ancient villages, Nanping preserves the simplest, most authentic Huizhou style. The maze-like alleys are full of traces of time, the ancient ancestral halls tell stories of Huizhou merchants’ past. There’s no noisy hawking, only streams, ancient trees, and slow-moving villagers. Perfect for a short day trip or a two-night slow stay. Don’t miss this film maze village when visiting Yi County! Platform hashtags (copy directly from the end)

Bring your family to stay at Guanshan · Liangjing Aesthetic Resort Guesthouse in Huangshan for an amazing experience that’s perfect for family travel! 👨‍👩‍👧 Great for the whole family: Total price just over 700 for 3 people, so only about 200 per person. The space is large, the lawn at the entrance lets kids run freely, and they can even pick fresh vegetables—kids love it. 📍 Convenient location: Close to Nanping, Hongcun, and other attractions. Just a 10–15 minute drive. Free parking with charging stations for electric cars makes self-driving hassle-free. ✨ Perfect experience: A century-old house renovated to blend ancient Huizhou charm with modern comforts. Features Dyson hairdryers and smart toilets. Thoughtful host service and delicious Huizhou cuisine cooked by the hostess—every meal is finished completely. It’s the perfect place to stay with family over the May Day holiday.

Staying at Guanshan · Liangjing Aesthetic Resort Homestay near Hongcun and Xidi is incredibly comfortable. It’s a little-known treasure homestay hidden just outside the Hongcun scenic area! 🏯 Unique design: A 300-year-old Hui-style house renovated to keep half the traditional architecture with Hui charm and half modern comfort, perfectly blended. Every corner is picture-perfect, and you can even wear Hanfu for free photos. 📍 Convenient travel: Only about 10 minutes by car to Nanping, Hongcun, and Xidi. Very easy for self-driving, with free parking and charging stations at the door. ✨ Perfect experience: Thoughtful butler service with attention to detail. Facilities are all top brand, including Dyson hairdryer and smart toilet. The auntie’s Hui cuisine is delicious—bamboo shoot skin with pork and stinky mandarin fish are must-tries. Total cost over 500 for two people, just over 200 per person, more comfortable than many star-rated hotels.

This time in southern Anhui, I stayed at Guanshan · Liangjing Aesthetic Vacation Guesthouse, which completely changed my perception of guesthouses. It’s incredibly comfortable! 🎨 Thoughtful design: A century-old Huizhou-style house transformed, preserving the authentic historical charm of the ancient building. The new building features modern, comfortable design. The concept of "two realms" is truly poetic, with every corner carefully designed—perfect for photos. 📍 Convenient location: Just outside Hongcun Scenic Area, close to Nanping, Xidi, and Bishan. Super convenient for self-driving trips, with free parking and charging stations right at the door. 💡 Attentive service: The host’s care is exceptional, helping plan the trip even before check-in. They offer welcome fruit and gifts. The auntie’s home-cooked meals are delicious, made with fresh ingredients and authentic flavors. Staying here means you don’t even need to eat out—so hassle-free.

Getting lost in the alleys of Nanping is inevitable. This village has 72 ancient alleys, 36 wells, and over 300 Ming and Qing dynasty buildings. I wandered inside for two hours without finding my way out. But honestly, getting lost is the right way to discover Nanping. Compared to Hongcun, Nanping has almost no tour groups, the entrance fee is 43 yuan, and the tourist density is ridiculously low. I entered at 2 PM, and I was the only person on the entire Wansong Road. 🏛️ Nanping (A seriously underrated treasure trove of Huizhou architecture) This village historically produced many wealthy merchants, so the building standards are much higher than typical villages. The Ye Clan Ancestral Hall is comparable in scale to the Confucius Temple, with eight ginkgo wood pillars over one meter in diameter. Families able to use such timber during the Ming and Qing dynasties were obviously very wealthy. Both "Ju Dou" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" filmed scenes in Nanping. The Ye Clan branch ancestral hall was the prototype for the dyeing workshop in "Ju Dou." Movie stills hang inside the hall, but the architecture itself is the real star. 🏘️ Pingshan (Free, zero tourists) A 10-minute drive east from Nanping brings you to Pingshan Village, which has no entrance fee. This village is built along a river and features a nine-arched stone bridge. Standing on the bridge, looking at the white walls and black tiles on both banks and the distant green mountains, you get a classic Chinese landscape painting composition. At the village entrance stands a 500-year-old camphor tree, under which elderly men play chess. I chatted with them for half an hour. One grandpa used to be the village barefoot doctor and shared half an hour of Pingshan’s gossip and history, far more interesting than any tour guide script. 🌿 Bishan (The spiritual home for artsy youth) Bishan has no entrance fee and is a 20-minute drive from Hongcun. Here you’ll find Bishan Bookstore—a rural branch of the avant-garde Xianfeng Bookstore—housed in an old ancestral hall. The second floor has a terrace where you can order a coffee and watch the fields, perfect for spending an entire afternoon. The Gongxiaoshe shop is also worth visiting. It’s a small store that turns traditional handicrafts into contemporary designs. The items aren’t cheap but are aesthetically pleasing. Last time at Bishan Bookstore, I bought a rare Huizhou architecture atlas for over 300 yuan. My boyfriend said I was a sucker, but later seeing the same wood carving patterns from the book at Hongcun’s Chengzhi Hall gave me an indescribable sense of connection. 🔧 Practical Comparison Table Village Entrance Fee Visit Duration Crowd Type Hongcun 104 yuan 3-4 hours Must-visit first time Nanping 43 yuan 2-3 hours Ancient architecture lovers Pingshan Free 1-2 hours Daydreamers Bishan Free Half day Artsy crowd Lucun 50 yuan 1.5 hours Wood carving enthusiasts 📌 Transportation Tips → Distances between villages in Yixian County are short; taxis cost 10-30 yuan, but return rides may be hard to get → Renting an electric scooter is highly recommended, 80 yuan per day, very comfortable riding on country roads → In 2026, Yixian launched a tourist loop bus connecting Hongcun, Xidi, Nanping, and Bishan, with 40-minute intervals → Summer daytime temperatures in Yixian reach 32-35°C; prepare for heat but evenings are cool and comfortable Accommodation 🏨 Banyan Tree Huangshan, Yixian A top-tier resort in the rice fields, featuring standalone Huizhou-style villas with private pools, butlers on call, and a restaurant serving stinky mandarin fish far better than local eateries 🏨 Shilili Hongcun Wenqu Mountain Villa, Yixian Independent courtyard cluster next to Hongcun, each room is a private courtyard with osmanthus trees and stone tables, falling asleep to the sound of insects at night 🏨 Pigsty Bar Country Inn (Bishan, Yixian) Renovated century-old Huizhou residence, each room with a unique style, the hostess’s handmade fabric crafts are the soul of the place, located in the middle of Bishan’s fields, feeling completely isolated from the world 🏨 Qishu Wonderland Zhongkun International Hotel, Yixian Large resort hotel by Qishu Lake, lake view rooms with wide views, full facilities, suitable for travelers who prefer standardized services over homestays

The summer in Yixian smells like steamed rice leaves. This trip, I barely entered the Hongcun scenic area and didn’t even buy a ticket. Because last time I had already seen enough of Yue Zhao and Nanhu, this time I wanted to explore the villages around Hongcun that few people visit. After five days, I lost two pounds (from hiking), got a bit tanned (from the sun), but my spirit felt fully recharged. This article is written with the theme of "escaping the crowds," and all the recommended places share one feature: few people. 📍 Bishan Village — The spiritual hometown for literary youth A 20-minute drive from Hongcun. No entrance fee, no ticket check, not even a clear "scenic area entrance." Bishan Bookstore is a must-visit, located inside an old ancestral hall, operated by Vanguard Bookstore, with the same excellent taste in book selection as always. I sat there for two hours, finished reading a guide on Huizhou architecture, and bought two books to take home. Next to the bookstore is a cooperative shop selling local handmade crafts and agricultural products; the bamboo baskets are beautiful but hard to carry. At the village entrance stands the Yunmen Tower, a Ming Dynasty brick tower. You can’t climb it, but it’s enough to admire it from below. The rice fields in front of the tower are green in July, waving like waves in the wind. There’s a café next to Bishan Bookstore in the village, serving American coffee for 28 yuan. Drinking an Americano by the rice fields somehow feels strangely harmonious. 📍 Nanping — A more original Huizhou-style village than Hongcun Tickets cost 43 yuan (free for students in summer 2026), a 15-minute taxi ride from Hongcun. Nanping has 72 ancient alleys, interconnected like a maze. I got lost the first time I went. But this kind of getting lost is a good thing — turning a corner and suddenly seeing light shining through the courtyard of an old house, then another corner where a cat naps on a stone pillar. The Ye Family Ancestral Hall is the core building of Nanping. Both "Ju Dou" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" filmed scenes here. The hall is huge, with pillars so thick no one can hug them. I spent three hours wandering the village and met fewer than 10 tourists in total. 📍 Lucun — Worth a special trip for the wood-carved building Only 2 kilometers from Hongcun, reachable by shared bike. Tickets cost 35 yuan (free for students in summer). Lucun’s main attraction is the wood-carved building. I spent 40 minutes admiring the carvings on Zhicheng Hall; the expressions on the figures are so delicate they seem alive, with seven or eight layers of carving depth on each floor. I hired a guide to learn that the carvings tell the story of "Nine Generations Living Together," with over a hundred characters, none sharing the same expression. Lucun is much smaller than Hongcun and can be explored in 1-2 hours, but that one wood-carved building alone is worth the ticket price. 📍 Tachuan — Worth visiting even outside autumn Tachuan is most famous for its autumn colors, but summer has its own charm. Tickets cost 35 yuan (free for students in summer). The whole village is surrounded by big trees, with a stream running through the middle. Sitting by the stream in summer feels cooler than an air-conditioned room. I met an elderly painter who set up an easel by the stream, painting the old houses and trees opposite. The beauty of Tachuan is that you don’t have to have a "must-see" mindset — just stroll, stop, look at the water, look at the trees. 📍 Qishu Lake — A hidden water surface near Hongcun A few kilometers east of Hongcun, no entrance fee. The lake is small but surrounded by mountains and trees, with especially clear reflections. Early morning is best, with mist. I saw a couple taking wedding photos there; the bride in a white gown stood by the lake with green mountains in the background — truly beautiful. 🚶 Cycling routes around Hongcun In 2026, Yixian built many cycling greenways. From Hongcun, there are dedicated bike paths to Lucun and Tachuan. Rent a shared bike or electric bike, and you can visit all the places mentioned in one day. Electric bikes can be rented near the Hongcun Tourist Center for 50 yuan a day. ⚠️ Useful information for summer In summer 2026 (June 10 - August 31), students taking the high school and college entrance exams and recent graduates get free admission to Hongcun, Xidi, Mukeng Bamboo Sea, Tachuan, Lucun, Pingshan, and Nanping with ID + exam admission ticket or graduation certificate. Hongcun tickets cost 104 yuan, 94 yuan online, valid for three days with multiple entries. Free admission on Wednesdays requires advance booking. The shuttle bus from Huangshan North Station to Hongcun takes 1 hour; from Yixian East Station to Hongcun takes 30 minutes. There are three parking lots (South Gate, West Gate, East Mountain Base), free for 30 minutes, 3 yuan per hour after, capped at 40 yuan per day. The Huizhou architecture guidebook I bought at Bishan Bookstore, I’ve flipped through three times since returning. Every time I look at it, I remember the light streaming into the ancestral hall that afternoon. Some travel aftereffects come slowly. Accommodation 🏨 Hongcun Zuoxian Art Micro Hotel A few minutes’ walk to Nanhu, rated 4.9. The communal area’s tea ceremony by the fireplace is perfect for sitting and daydreaming about the day after a walk in Hongcun. 🏨 Pigsty Bar Country Inn (Yixian Bishan Branch) An old Ming Dynasty farmhouse in Bishan Village, managed by a poet couple who have lived there for twenty years. The hostess hand-sews unique bedding, and the food is homemade by the owner. 🏨 Hongcun Xiyun Yingyue · Selected Smart High-End Designer B&B A lakeside B&B inside the Hongcun scenic area, with a light show outside the window. The housekeeper helps plan your itinerary. Rated 4.9 for a reason, perfect for those who want to use Hongcun as a vacation base without thinking too much. 🏨 Huangshan Pigsty Bar Country Inn Old Oil Factory Branch An abandoned oil factory in the Bishan fields converted into an inn. Japanese design master Kenya Hara has visited twice. Earthen walls, old trees, vast fields — the highest form of "anti-luxury," understood by those who have stayed there.

📍Overview of Filming Locations Distribution 👉 Mainly concentrated in Yixian and Shexian counties, close enough to visit together 👉 Yixian centers around Xidi and Hongcun, surrounded by Nanping, Tachuan, Lucun, and Chengkan 👉 Shexian focuses on Yuliang Dam and Huizhou Merchants' Mansions, Huizhou Ancient City is also worth visiting 👉 It is recommended to spend two days in Yixian and one day in Shexian; three days is just right to cover all spots · -- 🗺️Recommended Tour Order 👉 Day 1: Xidi Ancient Village, stroll slowly and savor the details, at least half a day 👉 Day 2 Morning: Hongcun, Afternoon: Nanping Village, two ancient villages with different styles and unique features 👉 Day 3 Morning: Yuliang Dam, Afternoon: Huizhou Merchants' Mansions, concluding the Shexian trip 👉 If time permits, add Tachuan, Lucun, and Chengkan, two hours each is enough 👉 Tangmo Tanganyuan and Shouzhuo Garden can be chosen based on interest, not mandatory · -- 💡Practical Travel Tips 👉 It is recommended to hire a guide for Xidi and Hongcun, many historical stories are hard to discover on your own 👉 Ancient villages are less crowded in the morning, best for photography; tour groups usually arrive around noon 👉 Must try Huizhou cuisine: fermented tofu, stinky mandarin fish, Huangshan sesame seed cake are specialties 👉 In summer, beware of mosquitoes; ancient villages have abundant vegetation and strong mosquitoes 👉 Wear comfortable shoes, all paths are bluestone slabs, walking long can hurt your feet 👉 Try the ink-making experience to learn about Huizhou ink production and take some as a souvenir · -- Accommodation 🏨Zhenpo Hotel Top luxury French-style mansion, the only luxury hotel in Guiyang! Full of French aesthetic charm 🏨Yaojia Waterfall Village The only wild luxury stone house hotel in the scenic area, renovated from a century-old Bouyei village, preserving original stone walls and ancient trees, with green wilderness just outside the window 🏨Homestay A homestay amidst peak forests and flower seas, stepping out reveals magnificent karst landscapes, pastoral scenery, and the Ten Thousand Peaks Forest 🏨Songyun Cliff Hotel Cliffside homestay with prime sea views, Santorini-style pure white buildings, infinity pool facing Erhai Lake

Many people visit Nanping just to stroll through the ancient alleys, missing out on the most authentic experience. The proper way to enjoy Nanping is to pick a good hotel to stay in and slowly soak in the charm of this maze-like ancient village. First, about tickets: don’t foolishly buy them on-site. Booking online in advance can save you a lot of money. On-site tickets cost over 40 yuan, but there are often discounts online. Also, remember the opening hours are from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, so don’t go too early or too late. Many people wear high heels to explore but get tired after just half an hour because the stone-paved roads are really tough on your feet. Sneakers or flat shoes are a must—don’t sacrifice comfort just for photos. Regarding photography, many rush straight to the small Western-style buildings only to find them closed. Actually, there’s no need to insist on that spot. You can get a panoramic view from the rooftop of a restaurant near the square. Though the view isn’t spectacular, it’s convenient. The real photo-worthy spots are in the seventy-two ancient alleys, where you’ll find moss on rainy days, weathered old walls, and the occasional dog in the lanes—these are the soul of Nanping. If you want to shoot traditional-style photos, new Chinese fashion or Hanfu is definitely a great choice; the architecture and atmosphere here are perfect. The ancestral halls are the essence of Nanping, so don’t just glance over them. Take your time at the Ye Family Ancestral Hall, especially on rainy days. The feeling of raindrops falling into the courtyard can’t be experienced on sunny days. Don’t miss the more than 200 Ming and Qing dynasty residences either. The brick and wood carvings on the gatehouses are truly worth savoring—each detail reflects the craftsmen’s dedication. You can also look for filming locations from "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Ju Dou" for a strong sense of immersion. For transportation, avoid taking the bus. Self-driving or riding an electric scooter is recommended. The scenery along the way from Yixian County is stunning, and you can stop whenever you want, giving you much more freedom. Be sure to find a high vantage point to overlook the area—the continuous horse-head walls combined with distant misty mountains create a perfect ink-wash Jiangnan landscape. · -- Many people visit Nanping for just half a day and leave, but staying overnight is the right choice. Early morning Nanping has no tourists, only the local life vibe. At dusk, the sunset shines on the white walls and black tiles, creating a beauty you can’t experience during the day. · -- Accommodations 🏨Huangshan Wuming Chuyinshi Hotel Yixian’s top wild luxury resort hotel, nestled in the mountains and countryside, close to Hongcun, Xidi, and Nanping—ideal for health and vacation stays 🏨Huangshan Yixian Shiting Huayi Village Homestay Near Bishan Bookstore, a highly rated homestay with stunning Hui-style courtyard design, a must-stay for artsy travelers 🏨Yixian Xishe Homestay Located in the center of Nanping ancient village, preserving traditional Hui-style courtyards with sunlight filtering through carved wooden windows—a perfect photo spot 🏨Pingdong Bieyuan Inn Near Nanping scenic area’s Bubugao Alley, quiet yet lively, offering the most authentic Huizhou rural life experience · --

After watching "Family Business," my desire to visit the ancient villages of southern Anhui instantly peaked. After wandering through various ancient villages, I have compiled this ancient village map for everyone, mainly divided into the northern, central, and southern routes. This article focuses on the central route. If it's your first time around Huangshan and you want to tour the ancient villages in a connected way, just save this article. I will specially mark the filming locations of "Family Business." The central route is especially convenient to explore. After hiking around Huangshan, you can visit the ancient villages. The high-speed train goes directly to Yi County. It takes only about 11 minutes by high-speed train from Huangshan North Station to Yi County East Station. After exiting the station, you can take a taxi or a tourist shuttle to connect these ancient villages one by one without backtracking. The ticket for Lucun Village is about 45 yuan. You can also choose not to enter the village and enjoy the morning mist and southern Anhui residences from the viewing platform. The ticket for Tachuan Village is about 35 yuan. It is most popular during the autumn red leaf peak season, but it is also suitable for viewing the mountain scenery and village layers in other seasons. The ticket for Hongcun Village is about 94 yuan, generally valid for multiple days with multiple entries allowed. The Moon Pond featured in "Family Business" is here. The ticket for Mukeng Bamboo Sea is about 35 yuan. It was a filming location for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and is suitable for a half-day trip after visiting Hongcun to see the bamboo forest. Bishan is a free ancient village with Bishan Bookstore, Yunmen Pagoda, and many interesting village shops. It has a strong artistic atmosphere and is perfect for relaxing after visiting Hongcun and Xidi. Zhongshan Village has no entrance fee; the village itself is free to visit, mainly offering accommodation and countryside walks. The "Two Mountain Views" are here. Xiuli Water Town's ticket is 10 yuan. Hui-style architecture is built along the water, with bluestone paths, small bridges, and flowing water. It has a strong film and TV shooting atmosphere, great for daytime strolling and photography. The nighttime fish lanterns and iron flower performances are perfect as evening activities. Nanping Ancient Village's ticket is about 38 yuan. The density of ancestral halls and ancient alleys here is very high, known as the "Ancient Ancestral Hall Museum," suitable for spending half a day for an in-depth visit. Xidi's ticket is about 94 yuan. The Jing'ai Hall from "Family Business" is located here. Guanlu Village's ticket is about 35 yuan. It features eight connected Qing Dynasty residences with exquisite wood and brick carvings, ideal for viewing rows of ancient houses. Xucun's ticket is about 40 yuan, focusing on archways and clan cultural routes, suitable for those interested in a deeper Huizhou experience and willing to walk more. Chengkan's ticket is about 102 yuan. The Bagua alleys and waterways run through the village, perfect for a "lost-style" wandering tour. Tangmo's ticket is about 50 yuan. The Shuikou gardens and Tangan Creek area have beautiful scenery, with a great integration of garden and village. Tangyue Archway Group's ticket is about 100 yuan. The archway group is very memorable, suitable for those interested in Huizhou rituals and family narratives. Xixinan is free, with wetland maple poplars, wooden bridges, and streams, full of a fairyland vibe, perfect for half a day with family or photography enthusiasts. The essence of southern Anhui lies in slow strolling through the alleys. Moon Pond in Hongcun, Jing'ai Hall in Xidi, ancestral halls in Nanping, and the bookstore in Bishan all have different beauties whether it’s rainy or sunny. The ancient villages are rustic by day and show another side of Huizhou at night. Be sure to spend a night to see the fish lanterns in Xiuli Water Town, with lights by the water and fish lantern parades. For just ten yuan, you can participate interactively. When visiting southern Anhui, don’t just have one meal. Try stinky mandarin fish, fermented tofu, fresh bamboo shoots, and various seasonal stir-fries. The vegetables come from the fields right outside, fresh and authentic. Accommodation Mosu | Hongcun Xiangju · Wild Luxury Designer Resort Hotel (Huangshan Flagship) A three-entry Hui-style courtyard, each room has oversized floor-to-ceiling windows facing the mountain view, with a parent-child play area and intangible cultural heritage handicraft experiences. Youdangu · Wild Luxury Resort Hotel Hidden among the green mountains and bamboo sea of Shuyuan Ancient Village at the southern foot of Huangshan, boasting a 30-acre private garden with only a dozen boutique rooms. Huangshan Guanlu Tent Hotel Combining brush, ink, paper, and inkstone with tent elements, featuring a 270-degree cloud gym, Guanlu hot springs, and windows opening to Huizhou mountains and waters. Qimen Wentang Wumingchu Converted from a century-old ancient village, with vast fields of rapeseed flowers in front and a primeval forest of ancient trees behind.

Yang Zi and Han Dongjun starred in "Family Business," which was entirely filmed in Huangshan — Xidi, Hongcun, Chengkan, Nanping... Hui-style architecture is a branch of ancient Chinese architectural styles, centered around the old Huizhou prefecture, covering Huangshan City, Jixi County in Xuancheng City, Wuyuan County in Jiangxi Province, and also widely influencing surrounding areas such as western Zhejiang and northeastern Jiangxi. Hui-style architecture primarily uses brick, wood, and stone as building materials, with a wooden framework as the core structural system. The architectural layout is built according to the terrain of mountains and waters. Represented by residential houses, ancestral halls, and memorial archways, its exterior features horse-head walls, dark tiles, and white plaster walls, while the interior follows a "four waters returning to the central hall" design, complemented by Huizhou’s distinctive wood carvings, stone carvings, and brick carvings. It perfectly integrates traditional building techniques, artistic aesthetics, cultural concepts, and the natural landscape, forming an ecological philosophy of "harmony between heaven and humans," an ethical space of "central axis symmetry," and a rhythmic form of "orderly yet varied." Being immersed in it, one is deeply healed and enveloped by the peaceful life of small bridges, flowing water, and quaint homes.

Ink Wash Huizhou — Southern Anhui Family Road Trip Guide (see last image for details) Attached is a complete 4-day, 3-night family itinerary — see last image 🚗【Itinerary Planning】and Check-in Spots Along the Way Day❶: Xijin Ferry (Chujia Beach) — Jing County Day❷: Chaji Ancient Village — Around Taiping Lake Day❸: Hongcun / Xidi — Xixinan Day❹: Chengkan — Xin’an River Landscape Gallery 📌Recommended Family Check-in Spots: 📍Xijin Ferry (Chujia Beach): Free 🆓, morning mist drifts, fairy-like atmosphere, kids feel like they’ve stepped into a wonderland 📍Bald Cypress Viewing Platform: The red cypress forest in late autumn is the most beautiful, like walking into a painting 🎨, great for telling kids autumn stories 📍Taoling Liudaowan: Narrow and winding roads, beginners be cautious, but the driving experience is top-notch and the scenery is stunning (prone to traffic jams on holidays) 📍Moon Bay: Clear water and fine sand, great for camping, water fights, and splashing around in summer 💦, kids love playing in the water 📍Chaji Ancient Village: Large scale, online tickets 60+, good for teaching kids about Huizhou architecture 📍Taohua Pond: Online tickets 60+ (west bank free), stunning with morning mist, great for telling kids the story of Li Bai gifting Wang Lun 📍Taiping Lake: Many stops along the shore, beautiful lake and mountain scenery, very comfortable for walking with kids 📍Lucun Viewing Platform: Free 🆓, best spot to photograph Lucun, spectacular when rapeseed flowers bloom, village entry ticket 40+ 📍Hongcun: Famous, Nanhu Moon Pond is very photogenic, quite commercialized but still worth a visit, tickets 90+, kids can feed fish 📍Xidi: As famous as Hongcun, fewer crowds and less commercialized, relatively quiet, great for photographing ancient buildings, tickets 80+ 📍Nanping Ancient Village: Filming location for many movies like "Ju Dou" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," known as "China’s Film Village," tickets around 40 💡Tip: Nearby Nanping are free ancient villages — Guanlu and Bishan 📍Qiyun Mountain: One of the four famous Taoist mountains, worth visiting if interested 📍Xixinan: Free 🆓, shaded by green trees, a must-see for green lovers, kids can play by the creek 📍Chengkan: Known as one of the "Three Giants" of Huizhou ancient villages along with Hongcun and Xidi, famous for fish lanterns, kids love watching them 📍Xucun: Rich in history and culture, many archways in the village, tickets 40+ 📍Xin’an River Landscape Gallery: Located in Shendu Town, has a boat dock, most beautiful during rapeseed flower season (photo spot navigation: Wufushan Farmhouse) 💡Tip: The route is long with many check-in spots, adjust according to your actual itinerary, slow down the pace when traveling with kids 📸Family Photo Tips: 🔹Light colors match well with mountain and water backgrounds, kids look better in bright colors 🔹Chinese qipao or hanfu fit the ancient village atmosphere perfectly, great for family photos 🔹Soft light in early morning and late afternoon, best to shoot 1 hour before sunrise or sunset 🔹Early morning is the most beautiful, with mist like ink wash paintings, recommend waking up early (best between 5-7 AM) 🚘Self-Driving Practical Info: 👉Road conditions: Mostly paved roads, regular family cars are fine, slow down on the winding Taoling section ⛽Fuel and Charging: Recommend filling up before departure, few gas stations/charging stations in the mountains 💰Accommodation: Flexible budget, try to stay close to check-in spots, need to get up early to enjoy Southern Anhui scenery 🍜Food Recommendations: Huizhou stinky mandarin fish, Mao tofu, sauce duck; kids may prefer sauce duck 💡Useful Tips: ▪️Mountain weather has large temperature differences between day and night, bring a light jacket ▪️Mountain roads are rugged, take motion sickness medicine in advance, especially for kids ▪️Check vehicle condition before departure, especially brakes and tires Accommodation 🏨Mosu | Hongcun Xiangju・Wild Luxury Designer Vacation Homestay A wild luxury aesthetic space hidden in the secret realm of Huangshan, nestled on the golden axis between Huangshan Scenic Area and Hongcun / Tachuan, container industrial style + white walls and black tiles Huizhou aesthetics 🏨Huangshan Yixian・TANHOUSE Hot Spring Resort Hotel A resort hotel between the traditional villages of Hongcun and Xidi, converted from a historic old granary station, blending new Chinese and new Huizhou architectural styles with a fresh perspective 🏨Huangshan Wuming Chuyin World Hotel A hidden hotel in the mid-mountain secret area on the southern foot of Huangshan, reconstructing traditional residences with "Huizhou minimalist aesthetics," uniquely offering a "five-sense healing system," convenient transportation 🏨Hongcun Zuoxian Art Micro Hotel A boutique art hotel outside Hongcun Scenic Area, excellent 4.9 rating, selected smart high-end designer homestay at Xiyun Yingyue Resort, quiet grass hut courtyard

A four-day, three-night immersive trip to Huizhou with kids, deeply experiencing Huizhou culture. The poetic misty rain of Jiangnan leaves you reluctant to leave. 🍃DAY 1 Arrival in Yixian Arrive at noon and first head to Xiaoye Restaurant to taste authentic Huizhou cuisine. The plum sauce ribs are a must-order, loved by all the kids. In the afternoon, check into a homestay in Fengwu Village. A heavy rain coincides perfectly, and the misty beauty of southern Anhui instantly heals all fatigue. Spend time with the kids reading, picking tea, and reflecting quietly in the village, enjoying the slow pace of life. 🍃DAY 2 Nanping → Bishan → Xidi In the morning, visit Nanping Scenic Area, a paradise for sketching. Watch artists paint with your kids to cultivate their artistic sense; every snapshot looks like a Huizhou painting. In the afternoon, go to Bishan Village, a trendy village with real depth. Read at Bishan Bookstore, make handmade fish lanterns at Yule Handmade, and enjoy coffee at Another Thing Café—an enriching day. At dusk, visit Xidi. The scenic area offers free luggage storage, so thoughtful. Stroll slowly through the ancient village with your kids, then have dinner at Huiniang Private Kitchen, where the rice wine is superb. The hotel you stay at feels like the Emerald City, with stunning window views that block out noise. The cured duck hotpot is unforgettable, and they even give you a coffee voucher. 🍃DAY 3 Xixinan → Chengkan In the morning, Xixinan is shrouded in mist like a fairyland. Walk around the village with your kids and buy fish lantern fridge magnets as souvenirs. In the afternoon, head to Chengkan. Although the fish lantern show was canceled due to heavy rain, the rain adds a special charm to Chengkan. Wander through the ancient alleys with your kids, where white walls and black tiles stand by the water, creating a gentle and intoxicating scene. Hide from the rain at Huayinxixi Courtyard Café and enjoy coffee. After the rain clears, you’ll see the village’s stunning scenery. At night, stay at Weiyan Mansion, a renovated ancient Huizhou building. The courtyard is a perfect photo spot, full of ancient charm. The soundproofing is average, but enjoying the charm of old architecture means accepting some imperfections. 🍃DAY 4 Return In the morning, stroll Xixinan again, relax at Kudukou Café, then head home. 💡Family Tips: Bring rain gear as Huizhou is rainy; wear comfortable shoes because of many stone slab roads in ancient villages; dress kids in Hanfu for amazing photos. Accommodation 🏨Xidi Mo・Ke Homestay A designer homestay in the heart of Xidi Scenic Area, blending Huizhou courtyard aesthetics with modern living elements. Rockeries, ponds, and clear springs create a secluded path just for you. 🏨Huiju・Mobaoli Homestay A boutique homestay inside Xidi Scenic Area with an open-air balcony overlooking the entire ancient village. Rated 4.9, it ranks top among local Xidi hotels. 🏨Xidi Homestay near Hu Wenguang Cishi Archway A homestay next to the archway in Xidi ancient village. Just a few minutes’ walk to step onto the bluestone alleys and leisurely watch the horse-head walls in the morning mist. Offers pick-up service from Yixian Station. 🏨Huangshan Yixian Family Vacation Villa An authentic Huizhou-style courtyard hotel, 15 minutes by car from Hongcun. Stay in a whole building with your family, play mahjong in the living room, drink tea in the courtyard, with dedicated butler service.

✨The early summer feast in Southern Anhui is here!✨ The scenery here is anything but monotonous~ 🌿Stroll through "Green Wilderness" Xixinan 🏯Explore the ancient Huizhou village Nanping 🎨Be enchanted by the white walls and black tiles of Guanlu 📚Savor the literary coffee at Bishan Bookstore This trip’s driving star: 🚗 The brand-new SU7 Indigo ride 100 points for looks! 100 points for performance! Every snap is a masterpiece📸 📍Check-in spots: ✔️ Xixinan: Huizhou’s secret realm ✔️ Nanping Village: a maze-like Huizhou ancient alley ✔️ Guanlu Village: a fairyland like an ink painting ✔️ Bishan: a pilgrimage site for artistic youth 👗Outfit Tips: Recommended to wear light-colored fairy dresses Pair with a straw hat for the perfect photo look!

In the early morning, stepping into Nanping feels like wandering into a thousand-year-old maze. Unlike the bustling crowds of Hongcun, here even the wind carries the scent of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Seventy-two alleys crisscross, with narrow bluestone paths barely wide enough for one person. High walls and deep courtyards slice the sky into narrow strips. Turn a corner, and an orange cat naps on a doorstep; turn another, and an elderly person trims flowers in a courtyard. The most wonderful are the ancestral halls—Ye Clan Ancestral Hall, Xuzhi Hall—where beneath the solemn "Imperially Approved" plaques, light filters through wood carvings, scattering delicate gold patterns on the ground. Here, getting lost is a pleasure. At the end of every dead-end alley, you might find an ancient well or a horse-head wall covered in green vines. Practical Information: Tickets cost around 40 RMB, open from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. There are shuttle buses from Huangshan North Station to Yixian County, then transfer by bus or taxi; driving is the most convenient, with parking available at the village entrance. It is recommended to stay overnight, as Nanping is most enchanting in the early morning mist.

During a few days in Yi County, southern Anhui, I discovered this hidden gem village, Fengwu Village🏡 If Bishan Village is the utopia for artistic youth, then this place is the real-life version of "Go to the Windy Place"🎐 When I visited on the second day of the lunar new year, there were only a few tourists in the whole village. A creek runs through the village🌊, and life feels like it's running at half speed. It's perfect for those wanting to escape the city to daydream and relax! 🚗 Transportation Tips: Best to drive yourself! You can also check out Bishan, Guanlu, and Nanping (All these places are in Yi County, within 20 minutes by car) 🌸 Must-Visit Spots 🌸 1️⃣ Rural Memory Museum A surprisingly hidden treasure❗ Old radios📻, sewing machines, black-and-white TVs... Touching fragments of the childhood memories of the post-90s generation💫 Afternoon sunlight shines on the elderly playing cards at the door, and grandpa napping on the stone bench nearby makes time feel peaceful and gentle. 2️⃣ Chuanshangji Café "Come in, coffee with peanuts and sunflower seeds all you want!" The owner is unbelievably warm and friendly🤣 Order a cup of coffee and watch the fields and distant mountains outside the window⛰️ Finally understand what "the life you long for" really means... 3️⃣ Puman Farm A paradise for kids! Huge lawn to run wild on👶 Lying on the grass in the sun and zoning out is so healing (If I had more time, I’d really want to stay forever) 4️⃣ Mountain Convenience Store Right across from the museum🏪 Buy a soda and watch ants moving their home🐜 Simple happiness and stress relief~ The mural on the wall says "Yangzhanyang Nongyi Guang" Under the blue sky and white clouds, it feels especially poetic☁️ 💭 There are no trendy check-in spots here, but what you will find are: Memories sealed in the museum, Time flowing in the café, Laughter drifting from the farm, Soda slowly finished at the convenience store... Wasting time here is the real deal!

At the foot of Huangshan Mountain, I stumbled upon this hidden Huizhou-style ancient residence homestay, over 200 years old. The moment I pushed open the carved wooden door, it felt like stepping into an ink painting—courtyards with black tiles and white walls, pavilions and towers harmonizing with small bridges and flowing water, even the light and shadows under the covered corridors carry a poetic filter. 🔑 Stay Experience: The 40㎡ room perfectly blends ancient charm with modern comfort: mortise and tenon carved window frames open to rolling green mountains outside, and the room comes standard with a Dyson hairdryer and L’Occitane toiletries. The most stunning feature is the courtyard tea room—watch raindrops hang from the eaves on rainy days, and enjoy shifting light spots on sunny days. Every corner hides thoughtful design details. 🍲 Huizhou Flavors: You must try the signature stinky mandarin fish! The perfectly fermented fresh aroma paired with bamboo shoots completely changed my perception of "stinky" dishes. Breakfast features preserved mustard greens flatbread and freshly ground soy milk, accompanied by birdsong in the courtyard—a taste of authentic local life you won’t find in the city. 🎋 Special Activities: ▪️ Hanfu Experience: Choose from the owner’s collection of Ming dynasty-style Hanfu (free!) ▪️ Botanical Dyeing Workshop: Use indigo root to dye a unique tea towel as a keepsake ▪️ Cycling Adventure: Rent a bike to explore Shiting Village, with rice fields and ancient bridges perfect for photos 🚗 Nearby Attractions: A 10-minute walk takes you to the bamboo sea filming location of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" at Xieli. The host thoughtfully provides hand-drawn maps of nearby ancient villages, making it easy to unlock hidden gems like Nanping and Guanlu.

It used to feel like the saying "A lifetime of obsession, no dreams of Huizhou" was an exaggeration, until I saw Huizhou’s rapeseed flowers and realized—some places are truly worth a lifetime of longing.✨ 🌼 Huizhou in March is like a place kissed by spring! The golden rapeseed flower sea spreads wildly along the mountains and waters, like a spilled palette of colors. Ancient villages with white walls and black tiles dot the landscape, resembling a breathing landscape painting. Every snap is a masterpiece!📸 · —————————————— 【3 Days 2 Nights Spring Viewing Guide · A Must-Save】👇 · —————————————— ✨Day 1 Xidi Ancient Village: Compared to the bustling Hongcun, Xidi feels more serene and elegant~ Wandering through the cobblestone alleys, seeing rapeseed flowers crowding the horse-head walls is simply healing! 🌟Must-Visit Spots: ✔️ Huizhou-style Architecture × Rapeseed Flowers | The ancient village lies in a golden ocean, as beautiful as a fairyland ✔️ Embroidery Tower Check-in | Imagine Huizhou women leaning on the railing, gazing at flowers in old-time romance💕 ✔️ Viewing Pavilion Overlook | The mid-mountain scenery is stunning! A panoramic photo spot you can’t miss ✔️ Cultural & Creative Shops | Super charming artistic stores to take home memories unique to Huizhou · —————————————— ✨Day 2 Nanping + Hongcun ① Nanping Ancient Village | The same style as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"! Seventy-two alleys intersect like a maze; turning into any alley brings surprises~ Few people, beautiful scenery, perfect for photos! ② Hongcun | "A Village in a Chinese Painting" The reflection on South Lake, the morning mist over Moon Pond... still a timeless classic~ Recommended to shoot the mirror-like reflection early in the morning! · —————————————— 📌 Practical Tips: · Flower Bloom Forecast: Mid-March to early April (the golden peak bloom period!) · Outfit Suggestions: Light colors photograph better! White/cream/light blue all good✔️ Avoid yellow❌ · Food Recommendations: Stinky mandarin fish, Mao tofu, bamboo shoot braised pork... all super authentic😋 · Comfort Must-Have: The cobblestone roads are uneven, so wear comfortable shoes! · —————————————— Some scenery can only be truly understood by seeing it with your own eyes... This spring, come explore the painted world of Huizhou with us!🌼