Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui–Xidi and Hongcun

The Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui–Xidi and Hongcun–were inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2000.

Located in Huangshan City, Anhui Province, Xidi and Hongcun are ancient villages known for their well-preserved traditional architecture and village layout. Xidi, established nearly a thousand years ago during the Huangyou era of the Northern Song Dynasty, maintains the typical style of Ming and Qing villages and is often referred to as a"living museum of ancient residential houses. "Hongcun, founded over 800 years ago during the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty, is renowned for its ingenious artificial water system designed for fire prevention and irrigation, which is considered a marvel of ancient Chinese bioengineering and a significant achievement in architectural history.

The villages of Xidi and Hongcun largely retain the appearance and layout that many rural areas in China had before the transformations of the last century. Their unique street planning, ancient buildings, intricate decorations, and complete water systems make them exceptional cultural relics, preserving a way of life and architectural style that has otherwise disappeared or changed significantly.