China's Village in a Painting - Hongcun

Known as "China's Village in a Painting," Hongcun is a picturesque ancient village with a unique ox-shaped water system, showcasing the architectural ingenuity of the ancient Huizhou people. Built during the Southern Song Dynasty over 800 years ago, the village is home to more than 300 households and over 1,000 residents. The entire layout resembles a leisurely water buffalo lying amidst lush mountains and clear waters. In its early days, the village experienced a fire, prompting the villagers to consult a feng shui master to improve the design. They implemented an innovative water system that not only serves as fire prevention but also symbolizes prosperity, resulting in the creative ox-shaped layout we see today. Originally named Hong Village, the name was changed to Hongcun to avoid using the same character as Emperor Qianlong's name (Hongli). The village's design cleverly incorporates the surrounding natural landscape, creating a layout that resembles the digestive system of an ox when viewed from above. For instance, the South Lake at the entrance represents the ox's stomach. This lake, manually excavated 400 years ago, is fed by mountain spring water and used for irrigation, blending practicality with aesthetic beauty. The ancient residences around the lake create a scene as stunning as a painting. In fact, the opening scene of the movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," where Chow Yun-fat leads a horse into the security bureau, was filmed at South Lake. The ingenious ancestors of Hongcun utilized the area's terrain, which is higher in the north and lower in the south, to create a flowing water system. Even with the village's numerous winding paths, one can easily navigate by following the water—flowing downstream to exit the village and upstream to enter. The meandering water channels, resembling the intestines of an ox, add a playful charm to the village.