Overview:

Hongcun Ancient Village is an ancient hamlet in Yi County, southwest of Huangshan City, Anhui Province, China. Located at the foot of Mount Huangshan, Hongcun is renowned for its ancient architecture, especially its residential buildings, traditional crafts, and culture. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The village was designed in the form of an ox. It consists of four main streets that broaden outward from the Moon Pond in the center of the village. Residents have preserved the design for centuries, and the village has been largely unchanged since the Ming and Qing dynasties. Traditional Hui architecture is integrated into the landscape of bridges, cobbled streets, and circular lanes that connect together individual residential compounds. The water system of the village is fairly intricate and plays an important role in the hydrologic life of the village. Moon Pond is the center of the water system, collecting water from surrounding hills and distributing it to the rest of the village. All other ponds within Hongcun were modelled after the moon. The village also contains many ancient trees, two of which are over 600 years old. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in China
Prominent Features:

1. Huangguo Mountain: Huangguo Mountain is a mountain located in the southwest of Hongcun Village and is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This mountain replicates the shape of a bull, and hence it is also known as the Bull Mountain. 2. Chengzhi Hall: Chengzhi Hall is a hall found inside the village of Hongcun. It was built during the imperial Qing Dynasty and is one of the earliest and impressive examples of Chinese traditional architecture. 3. Moon Pond: Moon Pond is the largest and most famous pond in the village of Hongcun. It is connected to four smaller ivory-shaped ponds that are known as the "South Lake," the "East Lake," the "West Lake," and the "North Lake." 4. Ancient Trees: One of the most prominent features of the Hongcun Ancient Village are the ancient trees. Around the village, there are over 33 different types of trees with a total of more than 3000 trees that have been planted along the streets and walls for hundreds of years. 5. Traditional Chinese Architecture: Traditional Chinese architecture can be seen around the village of Hongcun. There are many white-washed buildings, with dark and special tiled ridges and eaves, and stone fence walls. Examples of these traditional Chinese buildings include the Huang Xia Xiang ancestral hall, the God of Fire temple, as well as the Eight Immortals Temple. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in China.

History:

Located in the south of Anhui province, Hongcun Ancient Village is one of the most famous historic villages in China and a great cultural heritage site. Its history can be traced back to about 300 years ago. In the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), during the reign of Emperor Tianqi, the traditional business of residents in the village of Hongcun was mainly farming and animal husbandry. It was during this time that the villagers began to construct their unique “water village”. The layout of the village is based on the human body, comprising of a large tree trunk as a representation of the various parts of the body. As such, the artwork and constructions around the village make it an interesting and unique sight to behold. Since the 1980s, the village has been periodically renovated, keeping its traditional architecture intact, while at the same time making it more modern and attractive for visitors. Some of the key attractions in the village include the ancient shopping street, ancient bridges, ancient wells, and two large natural ponds. All of these attractions represent the core of Chinese culture and traditional lifestyle. In 2000, Hongcun Ancient Village was added to the World Cultural Heritage List by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). This has raised the cultural status of the village and as a result, many tourists visit it every year. Today, Hongcun Ancient Village is one of the most popular tourist spots in Anhui province. The unique sights and traditional Chinese culture of the village make it a definite must-see for anyone who plans to visit China. Visit one of the famous monuments of China with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Hongcun Ancient Village has a unique combination of human settlements and nature. It was an enclosed agricultural landscape that stands well-integrated with the environment. 2. It is well-known for its traditional Southern Anhui-style architectures, such as its moon-shaped pond, ancient temples, ancestral halls and historical streets. 3. The village is composed of four main streets fanning out from the south-north axis of the Moon Pond. These streets retain the old-fashioned atmosphere with their houses of grey-black walls and white stones. 4. Famous filmmaker Wong Kar Wai was inspired by the ancient village setting and used it as a film set for his movie "In The Mood For Love". 5. Hongcun Ancient Village was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000. One of the historical monuments of China, it tells the story of a bygone era