2-day 1-night Self-drive Itinerary | I regret not bringing my parents to Yi County earlier

I had hastily visited Hongcun before it became popular, not realizing that this quiet and ancient traditional Hui-style village would one day be bustling with noise and become the tourist highlight of Yi County, nor did I know it was just one of the many treasured ancient villages in Yi County. Although the reflection of Moon Pond is unforgettable, on my return to Yi County, the overly lively Hongcun no longer piqued my interest. After spending more time exploring other ancient villages, my parents and I felt deeply moved by Yi County. It's not only beautiful but also offers great food and shopping. With a quick search, it's incredible to find that in addition to the two World Heritage sites of Xidi and Hongcun, there are 6 national historic and cultural villages and 44 traditional Chinese villages. It's like a 'lifetime is not enough to see them all' series. Here's the record of my first self-drive trip to Yi County for 2 days and 1 night📒 D1 Lucun - Lucun Viewing Platform - Hongcun Moon Pond Check-in D2 Bishan Village - Pingshan Village - Nanping Village - Xidi Lucun🌟 2 kilometers away from Hongcun, it's much less famous, but I still like it a lot. Right at the entrance of the village, there's a typical Jiangnan charm with small bridges over flowing water. You must see the wood-carved buildings in the village, each with its own story. You can choose to go to the Lucun Viewing Platform to watch the sunrise or sunset, which should be very beautiful. Due to the itinerary, I only saw a regular panorama in the afternoon, but I still found it quite nice. ❗️You can drive up to the viewing platform, just navigate directly. Hongcun Moon Pond🌟 Tickets are too expensive, so I didn't go in, but I let my parents take a tour. The old babies took a check-in photo at Moon Pond and then came out, saying it was too crowded and commercialized, and they lost interest in visiting. Bishan Village🌟 The most hopeful village brought a bit of disappointment. The positioning as a small fresh and artistic village is quite good, the village is not small, and the environment is also fine, but it seems that the whole village has not been completely renovated. Apart from the well-known Bishan Bookstore, there's almost nothing to see. You can check out the exhibition of Bishan Village's renovation materials in the studio that used to be the supply and marketing cooperative. It's good that it's not far from the county town, so it's worth a visit if you're passing by. Pingshan Village🌟 A super popular sketching village. I quite like it, with its rich colors and lively atmosphere. The colorful ancestral halls have made their mark among the many ancient villages. Besides, there are many attractions such as ancient temples, ancient houses, and ancient wells. Nanping Village🌟 The film and television village chosen by the national master. Also known as the Maze Village and the Chinese Ancient Ancestral Hall Museum. The symmetrical traditional aesthetics and the grand and majestic architectural layout are very photogenic. Especially the water mouth is worth a look, where you can understand the typical characteristics of Hui-style villages. Xidi🌟 Hongcun and Xidi are not free all year round, and the experience on free admission days is said to be very bad, so if the tickets are too expensive and you only want to visit one, Xidi is still the better choice. Following the hotel lady's suggestion, I went to see the night view of Xidi, which is indeed more interesting than during the day. It's a somewhat distinctive commercialized ancient town. Cuisine🍚 Hui cuisine is surprisingly delicious. The local restaurants I chose blindly were all good, and the wild vegetables and bamboo shoots of this season are tasty. You can try the local chicken soup and braised small river fish, both are fresh and tender. Accommodation🏨 Staying in the county makes it convenient to go anywhere. The GreenTree Alliance Hotel in the county has a good location, very quiet, with a view right outside the window, and not far from the door is the food street. 🌟🌟🌟Which village do you most want to visit

The leisurely pace of Bishan Village makes it unforgettable

Bishan Village is located in Biyang Town, Yi County, Anhui Province, nestled against the Bishan branch of the Huangshan Mountains to the north and facing the Yi County basin to the south. The Jianxi River flows from north to south through the village, which is a famous ancient Huizhou village inhabited by the Wang clan. The village preserves many Ming and Qing dynasty residences and ancestral halls. Unlike Hongcun, which I visited before, Bishan Village is not overly commercialized, and is more about the villagers living here. It is quiet without being noisy. An old ancestral hall in the village has been transformed into the Bishan Bookstore by the Pioneer Bookstore, which is a branch of the Pioneer Bookstore in Bishan Village, hailed as "the most beautiful rural bookstore in China". Climbing to the second floor, one can overlook the entire Bishan Village and the distant Qing dynasty ancient pagoda 'Yunmen Tower'. There is a popular spot in the village—Bishan Gongxiaoshe. Many friends ask why it is called Gongxiaoshe? Maybe it's just a marketing method? It piques curiosity, haha. The original site was the Bishan Supply and Marketing Cooperative built in 1962. It is also the site of the village ancestral hall 'Shangyi Hall'. In 2015, it was redesigned and named 'Bishan Gongxiaoshe'. The Gongxiaoshe consists of several parts: a shop in the front, and a dining hall, coffee house, and exhibition hall in the backyard. The design of the shop is filled with the atmosphere of our era, evoking many memories and sparking conversations about the daily life of that era. The shop sells various fine products from Bishan, such as rice wine, Huimo cookies... as well as various handicrafts created by artisans, and daily life items in collaboration with Japanese artists, such as plates and cups. The exhibition hall is currently in the preparation period for a new exhibition, so it's a bit of a pity that I didn't get to see the style of the Bishan exhibition. I bought Huimo cookies to support development

Bishan Village, rated by 'National Geographic' as the most artistic ancient village

🔍Have you ever appreciated the beauty of Hongcun and Xidi? This time, why not follow the footsteps of 'National Geographic' and explore Bishan Village, which is only a few kilometers away from them and known as 'China's most artistic ancient village'. Here, you can find the Bishan Bookstore, which has won the title of 'China's Most Beautiful Rural Bookstore', as well as a hidden cluster of ancient Huizhou-style buildings amidst the pastoral scenery. No entrance fee is required, and there's no strong commercial atmosphere, fully revealing the simple and authentic charm of the ancient village. 📍Transportation Tips: Take a taxi directly from Huangshan North Railway Station after arriving by high-speed train, or drive from Hangzhou for about 3 hours to reach Bishan Village in Anhui. ✨Highlights of Bishan: 1.【Bishan Bookstore】 A century-old ancestral hall turned into the most beautiful rural bookstore, with a viewing platform on the second floor that offers a panoramic view of the village. 2.【Cattle Pen Coffee Bar】 A coffee shop next to the bookstore, transformed from a real cattle pen, filled with urbanites' longing for a poetic life. 3.【Yunmen Pagoda】 A landmark building of Bishan, with Qing Dynasty heritage, inheriting the Song-style pagoda design, its hexagonal structure is eye-catching. 4.【Pigsty Bar & Inn】 A former salt merchant's residence turned into a modern inn, retaining the charm of Huizhou architecture, and experiencing a blend of traditional and modern lifestyles. 5.【Bishan Supply and Marketing Cooperative】 A museum that integrates traditional crafts with contemporary art, featuring craft exhibitions, pottery workshops, and exciting opera performances. 6.【Special Photography Exhibition】 Bishan Village regularly hosts various themed photography exhibitions, attracting many art enthusiasts to make a pilgrimage. 7.【Village Entrance Grocery Store】 A must-visit grocery store at the entrance of the village, don't forget to try the delicious red bean wine ice powder. 🍲Food Recommendations: Delve into the ancient village and taste authentic Hui cuisine, such as stinky mandarin fish, pigsty braised pork, accompanied by freshly picked farm vegetables, and the delicious grouper fish from the creek, enjoying the pure rural flavor. 🏡Accommodation Guide: There are several homestays in Bishan Village to choose from, with the Pigsty Country Bar & Inn highly recommended. Its spacious outdoor public area is perfect for leisurely tea-drinking, and it also offers private riverside enjoyment. In summer, you can play in the clear streams, with complete facilities for a comfortable and pleasant stay. Ride a bicycle through the fields around Bishan, feeling the slow pace of life. Nearby, there are ancient Huizhou-style villages such as Pingshan, Nanping, and Guanlu waiting for your exploration, which are relatively quieter and suitable for in-depth travel.

Bishan Ancient Village I An obscure ancient town in Anhui, yet so tranquil that it makes one want to stay

A spring rain is as precious as oil, and in the drizzling rain of spring, Anhui turns into a misty painting. The ancient village also gains its charm, known as the ink painting-like Hongcun, which attracts many visitors every year. The paintings by artists who come to sketch are the embodiment of beauty and romance. This is Bishan Ancient Village. 🎐 Six must-visit places in Bishan Village 1️⃣ Bishan Bookstore The Bishan Village branch of the avant-garde bookstore, called 'the most beautiful rural bookstore in China' by CCTV documentaries, is converted from a century-old ancestral hall in the village. From the second floor, you can overlook the entire Bishan Village and the distant Yunmen Pagoda. 2️⃣ Pigsty Bar & Hostel I knew about the Pigsty Bar & Hostel even before Bishan Village. It's a hostel opened by a couple of poets, and celebrities like Joe Hisaishi and Kenya Hara have stayed here. Originally the old oil factory of Bishan, the transformed hostel blends pastoral and retro designs from the sixties and seventies, instantly giving off the artistic and beautiful vibe of rural life. 3️⃣ Bishan Supply and Marketing Cooperative The original supply and marketing cooperative of Bishan Village, later renovated by architect Shen Run over two years. In collaboration with the Japanese d&department design store, it sells various creative products. In the backyard, there's also a store by the band Wu Tiao Ren, which is very interesting. 4️⃣ Village Entrance Grocery Right at the entrance of the village, you can sit under the tree at the grocery and enjoy a bowl of rice wine dumplings cooked by the owner's wife, very relaxing. 5️⃣ Yunmen Pagoda If there's a landmark building in Bishan Village, it has to be the Yunmen Pagoda in the fields, a solitary and dazzling Song-style five-story pagoda with more than two hundred years of history. 6️⃣ Dog Kennel Bar Said to be opened by the son of the Pigsty Bar owner, it's not a hostel but a real tea and bar place in the afternoon, also very artistic. If you haven't had enough, these five shops are also worth a visit: Cow Pen Coffee, Freedom Coffee & Tea, Han Gongzi Grocery, One Shop, A Seat on the Ground. 🚗 About Transportation Bishan Village is located in Yixian County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province. Take the high-speed train to 'Yixian East Station'. 🚌: There is a direct bus from the county town to Bishan Village, but the frequency is low, so it is recommended to take a taxi during the off-season.

Bishan, a small village praised by 'National Geographic' as the most artistic ancient village in China, can still surprise you even if you have visited Huangshan many times

It perfectly preserves that most original, most pure rural landscape. It is only about a 20-minute drive from the famous Xidi and Hongcun villages. 'Yiyun·Bishan' is located on the west side of the village, neighboring the villagers, and its integration into nature is as if it naturally grew here. The exterior design adopts blue-gray brick walls, harmoniously coexisting with the surrounding ancient villages, while the interior adopts a more modern, more comfortable design concept, injecting new vitality into the old house. The spacious floor-to-ceiling windows bring the beauty of the outside world into the room without reservation. Yiyun is deeply rooted in this land, cleverly integrating dining, accommodation, travel, and space design into one, providing a complete rural lifestyle. Here, you can taste a variety of delicacies such as Huizhou cuisine and Hangzhou cuisine. Yiyun has specially adjusted the taste of some traditional Huizhou dishes to make them more suitable for diners from different regions. Whether it's the stinky mandarin fish that has been improved through marinating techniques, or the hairy tofu that has been added with native chicken eggs to make its color more attractive, each dish is a heartfelt treat from Yiyun. Strolling in Bishan, heading east of the village, you will pass by Yiyun Bishan store, the supply and marketing cooperative, Bishan Bookstore, Yunxian Hall, and other artistic check-in spots, harmoniously integrating rural cultural innovation with modern lifestyles. Following the paths in the village to explore, in the simple atmosphere of life, you feel the enrichment of the spiritual world.

The most artistic ancient village in China, Joe Hisaishi has also checked in

Hello, we are Elaine and Xiao Wang who travel with 🐶 Peach. In this issue, I want to introduce the journey of 2023 The ancient village we think is the most artistic in China! 📍Anhui Yixian. Bishan Village There are no iconic check-in spots, no Yiwu small commodities Free 🆓 visit, no tickets; there is business, but there is no commercialization There are not many tourists, in addition to the white walls and black tiles of the Huizhou ancient architecture There are also these: 1️⃣China's most beautiful rural bookstore-Bishan Bookstore It is said to be built in the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China. It is a bookstore rebuilt from an ancient ancestral hall. It retains the ancient charm of white walls and black tiles, and wooden windows. In the CCTV documentary "Book Fans", it is called "China's most beautiful rural bookstore". Downstairs is a free reading area, and upstairs you can drink tea and relax. Next door is the cowshed coffee shop, order a cup of coffee, sit in the sun downstairs, read a book, super comfortable 2️⃣Pigsty Bar & Bishan Oil Factory It is said to be a bar, but it is actually a beautiful rural inn. It was rebuilt from the old site of the "Bishan Oil Factory", retaining many original elements, such as the stone mill for oil extraction, the workshop used for production was also changed into a leisure coffee bar, and even the slogans of "People's Commune Good" and "Production Construction Thought" and other historical symbols are still preserved, recording the old times of change. The scenery is beautiful, even Oscar actress Juliette Binoche, Joe Hisaishi have checked in, but it is still little known 3️⃣Bishan Supply and Marketing Cooperative The front store retains the original appearance of the old supply and marketing cooperative with a history of 60 years. The counter and window display some local specialties and handmade crafts from Japan. The backyard is set up with woodworking, weaving and dyeing, firewood kiln, pottery and other workshops, cooperating with craftsmen to provide creative space. The "Mountain and Water Qingyin" stage can also be used to hold public activities to enrich the cultural life of the villagers 4️⃣Various interesting small shops Some young people who return to their hometowns have set up some interesting small shops here and built an ideal Utopia ✅Village entrance grocery store: The door head is very design, red bean wine brewed ice powder is very delicious ✅A small shop: There are all kinds of weird and cute items in the shop. When the boss is not there, the frog doll at the door will watch the shop ✅Doghouse Bar: There is also nightlife in the quiet village. The shop provides Bishan craft beer, cocktail special drinks and snacks. The shop manager is also very friendly to dogs ✅Meet Society: Coffee shop, exhibition hall and restaurant are integrated, and regularly cooperate with some artists to open free exhibitions 5️⃣Yunmen Tower The ancient tower built in the Qing Dynasty is located in the fields on the bank of the Nanle River in the south of the village. Unfortunately, when we went, the rice fields had been harvested, but the sunrise and sunset were also beautiful ❤️The villagers in Bishan Village are also simple and friendly, inheriting the original life schedule, sunrise and sunset. Walking in the village, the stream is gurgling, wild ducks swim past, and the evening cooking smoke rises, which is the appearance of the countryside in childhood memories

Weekend Trip to Bishan Village and Hongcun

This was such a fun weekend, and it was amazing to see this side of the country! I will definitely be coming back 😸#china #ruralvillage #huangshan #food #hongcun #中国

Nanjings Pioneer Bookstore has long been known as a land of red, but not everyone knows that its coolest store is not in Nanjing, but in the Huizhou Laojiao Hall, which has a history of more than 200 years. Book office. Qitai Hall, where the bookstore is located, is a family built in the Jiajing period of the Qing Dynasty. It is located in Bishan Village, Jixian County. This time, the self-driving drive came in, and the asphalt road along the way was particularly smooth. Upon arrival, I found that the passionate collision of literature and culture in the bookstore has a strong visual impact. The second-floor old book market is a good place for Taobao. Although the village is only a dozen kilometers away from Hongcun, it is not a mainstream scenic spot, so there are fewer tourists, and it is appropriate to read a book. From time to time, Bishan Bookstore will also have some celebrity signings and country concerts.