Things to do in She County

The Huizhou Prefectural Government Office truly lives up to its reputation as the core government office of ancient Huizhou. Restored to its original site according to Ming Dynasty regulations, its central axis layout is orderly and solemn, with the ceremonial gate, main hall, and second hall unfolding in sequence, showcasing the grandeur of an ancient government office. The exquisite Hui-style wooden structure and intricate carvings add to its charm. Visitors can also watch live court performances, gaining a direct experience of the ancient government office system. The office exudes a rich historical atmosphere, making it more than just a place for taking photos; it's a perfect opportunity to quietly appreciate the cultural heritage of Huizhou and a must-see cultural highlight in the ancient city of Huizhou.

A combined ticket for the Tangyue Memorial Archway Complex and the Bao Family Garden is available. The Tangyue Memorial Archway Complex comprises seven archways from the Ming and Qing dynasties belonging to the Bao family. The stone carvings are rich in historical significance, and a guided tour is highly recommended. The Bao Family Garden primarily features Hui-style bonsai and can be visited briefly. The combined ticket costs 98 yuan, which is slightly high overall.

The scenery along the Xin'an River is beautiful, and a cruise along the river is very pleasant. The Jiuxing Fishing performance is quite interesting, but there are a few minor issues. For example, the second-floor upgrade is only suitable for people with good mobility. I wanted to upgrade with my elderly relative, but it was inconvenient to climb the stairs to the second floor, so we gave up. When the boat docks, there should be two disembarkation channels, but it's crowded and the waiting time is long when so many people are disembarking. None of the docks have accessible ramps; the boat has to go up a long and steep flight of stairs to reach the shore, so those with mobility issues should be cautious.

Chengkan is absolutely worth visiting. We spent almost the entire day there, from morning till night. During the day, you can leisurely stroll through the ancient village, sample local delicacies, and take beautiful photos at many popular spots. At 6:18 PM, there are fish lantern and dragon lantern performances and parades, especially the fish lanterns, where visitors are allowed to participate and experience the joy of riding the fish lanterns. The evening fireworks are also fantastic, with many shots and a long duration—truly amazing and well worth the trip.

The village retains its original ecological charm, with old rammed earth buildings perched high in the mountains. The earthen-yellow buildings cascade down the slope, creating a beautiful autumn atmosphere without excessive commercialization. Entry to the village is free, but the shuttle bus up the mountain costs extra. It's suitable for those who enjoy the wilderness, photography, and are willing to hike a short distance.

After reading about the fish lantern performances in several villages near Huizhou Ancient City, I finally decided to visit Tangmo. Tickets were extremely difficult to obtain during the National Day holiday, and the scenic area had to add an extra performance in the last few days to accommodate the tourists who had traveled from afar. It proved to be worth it all the moment the fish lanterns soared into the sky! The village is small, and the scenery is average, but its unique feature is its claim to be "China's No. 1 Water-mouth Garden Village."

The wetlands on the edge of the village have unique scenery and ancient water conservancy projects. Even without a guide, I only understood them intuitively, and they were impressive, though not entirely clear. Free admission and well-managed—thumbs up! Perfect for relaxation, unwinding, and team building. I imagine the stream would be full of children playing in the water during the summer.

Although the government office complex was built later, it was constructed according to the regulations in historical documents, so it's still worth a visit. Besides Mondays, there are scheduled performances within the government office. Be sure to walk to the back garden at the very end of the complex; you'll find some unexpected surprises. The artificial hill in the back garden leads to the city wall of the ancient city of Huizhou, which is also worth a walk and a visit.

The Tangyue Memorial Archway Complex is the pinnacle of the "memorial archway" category, one of the three wonders of ancient Huizhou architecture. The completeness of the seven interconnected archways and the family narrative they represent are irreplaceable in southern Anhui and even nationwide. While the bonsai design in the Bao Family Garden is commendable, the garden's architecture is rough and doesn't match the ancient architectural complex. The Tangyue Memorial Archway Complex and the Bao Family Garden, one dynamic and the other serene, one strong and the other gentle, one telling the story of the Bao family's four-hundred-year ethical glory, the other embodying the garden aesthetics of the heyday of Huizhou merchants, together create a complete picture of Huizhou's culture and nature, making them ideal for a combined visit.

With a history of over 1800 years, Xucun is a renowned historical and cultural town, a traditional Chinese village, and a photography art village in China. The village boasts beautiful scenery and a rich Huizhou cultural history. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Huizhou merchants flourished, and more than 200 ancient buildings from the Yuan, Ming, Qing, and Republican periods are still preserved, along with 16 national-level cultural relics protection units. Historically, Xucun was a place of great literary achievement, producing one top scholar (Zhuangyuan), 48 Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), and 53 Juren (successful candidates in the provincial imperial examinations), earning it the reputation of "Huizhou's First Village of Jinshi."