Xixinan: A Fairytale-like Wonderland

Xixinan is an ancient village with a thousand-year history in Huizhou District, Huangshan City, Anhui Province. It retains the most authentic Hui-style architecture and natural wetland scenery, and is known as the "real-life wonderland" 🌳🌿🍀🍃 📍 Address: Xixinan Town, Huizhou District, Huangshan City, Anhui Province -🎫 Tickets: Free (separate tickets are required for some ancient houses, such as Laowuge) ⏰ Recommended visiting time: Half a day to a day 🚗 Transportation: High-speed train: Get off at Huangshan North Station and take a taxi for about 10 minutes (💰CNY 10–15) Self-driving: Navigate to "Xixinan Ancient Village". It is about a 3-hour drive from Hangzhou 🛣 Bus: Take Huizhou Bus Route 13 directly from Huangshan City (Tunxi) 🌟 Must-see attractions 1️⃣ Fengyanglin Wetland (popular spot for photos) A large wetland forest at the entrance of the village. It is lush green in summer and golden in autumn, making it extremely beautiful for taking pictures. The light is best in the early morning or evening, with fewer people and misty surroundings, like a fairyland. 📸 Best spots: Wooden bridge, riverside walkway, and deep in the forest. 2️⃣ Laowuge & Luraoting (National Protected Unit) 🛖 Laowuge: A representative of Ming Dynasty Hui-style architecture with exquisite wood carvings. Tickets are required (💰approx. CNY 20). ⛩ Luraoting: A place where literati gathered in ancient times, built near the water, suitable for a short rest. 3️⃣ Fengle River & Ancient Wharf 🌊 The river is clear, and you can see villagers washing clothes while walking along the river, experiencing the original ecological life. 🚧 The ancient wharf was an important freight point during the Huizhou merchants era, with a strong sense of history. 4️⃣ Xixinan Ancient Street Bluestone roads and mottled white walls retain shops and residences from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. 5️⃣ Orchard Site (gathering place for literati) A private garden of literati in the Ming Dynasty. Only some relics remain, suitable for tourists who like history. 🍜 Food recommendations Farmhouse cuisine: There are many farmhouses in the village. It is recommended to try: 🍲 Stinky mandarin fish (Huizhou specialty) 🥬 Mao tofu (fermented tofu with a unique taste) 🍚 Braised pork with dried bamboo shoots (fresh local mountain bamboo shoots) Snacks: Huangshan sesame cake (dried vegetable filling, crispy and delicious), Ai Ye Guo (only available around Qingming Festival) 🏡 Accommodation recommendations High-end B&Bs: 🕌 Shilihli·Weiyan Mansion (converted from an ancient house, high-end Hui-style courtyard) 🏘 Xixiang Garden Homestay (living by the river, quiet environment) Cost-effective options: 🏡 Xixinan Farmhouse Inn (run by locals, affordable prices) 📅 Best time to visit March–May: Rape flowers are in full bloom, and Fengyanglin is newly green June–August: Dense forests, a summer resort, but more humid and hot. September–November: Charming autumn colors, with the characteristic sun-dried crops scene. December–February: Fewer tourists, and the snow scene has a special flavor.