Hongcun Ancient Village

Hongcun Ancient Village (Hong Village, 宏村) is located in Yi County, Anhui Province, covering an area of 19.11 hectares. The village was first established during the Shaoxing period of the Southern Song Dynasty (1131–1162). The Oscar-winning foreign film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” featured a scene shot on the Nanhu Bridge just outside the village. When viewed from above, the entire village resembles a reclining ox by a stream in front of the mountains. Leigang Hill forms the ox’s head, towering ancient trees are its horns, residential houses represent its body, the water channels are its intestines, Moon Pond is its stomach, Nanhu Lake serves as its belly, and the four bridges spanning the streams are its legs.

Surrounded by mountains on three sides, Hongcun maintains a layout that primarily faces north, with the village’s foundation centrally located within the embrace of mountains and water. The ancient buildings of Hongcun are in the Huizhou architectural style, with orderly rows of white walls and grey tiles, and eaves that rise gracefully. The village’s site selection, layout, and architectural forms emphasize the ideal of harmony between humanity and nature, respecting and utilizing the natural landscape to create a unified and harmonious integration with the surrounding terrain, mountains, and water. Hongcun now preserves over 140 well-maintained Ming and Qing dynasty residences. Major attractions include Moon Pond, Nanhu Lake, Nanhu Academy, Chengzhi Hall.