Explore the Ancient City of Huizhou
The Ancient City of Huizhou is located in Shexian County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, on the banks of the Xin'an River, also known as 'Shexian Ancient City', one of the four great ancient cities of China, a national historical and cultural city, a key national cultural relics protection unit, and the site of the ancient Huizhou prefectural government.
1. Ancient Style Check-in Route:
Nanqiao Tower → Huizhou Prefectural Yamen → Ancient City Wall → Xu Guo Stone Archway → Huizhou Garden → Doushan Street → Yuliang Ancient Town (Yuliang Dam, Yuliang Street)
✅ Nanqiao Tower
On the solemn and simple city tower, the three characters for 'Huizhou Prefecture' stand out strikingly. The tower was originally built at the end of the Sui Dynasty, over 1400 years ago. The square city gate was constructed in the Song Dynasty architectural style—using the 'ranked column method', a building technique that is rarely seen today. Entering Nanqiao Tower is the beginning of a journey through ancient and modern times!
✅ Huizhou Prefectural Yamen
Passing through Nanqiao Tower, directly ahead is the landmark building of Shexian County—Huizhou Prefectural Yamen. As the site of the ancient Huizhou prefectural government, the Yamen was the office of the ancient prefect, commonly known as 'Yamen'. Inside the Yamen, there are many ancient style check-in spots: the Yamen's welcoming path, the six-room corridor, the main hall, the flower hall, the back garden, etc., all of which are beautiful spots for ancient style check-ins.
✅ Ancient City Wall
From the back garden of the Huizhou Prefectural Yamen, you can climb onto the city wall. The wall was originally built at the end of the Sui Dynasty. Walking on the ancient city wall, you can see the ancient bricks and tiles from the Tang and Song Dynasties, surrounded by mountains and rivers, whitewashed walls and black tiles, with the beautiful scenery of the ancient city in full view!
✅ Xu Guo Stone Archway
Walking past the city wall and through the Yanghe Gate, you can see the Xu Guo Stone Archway (commonly known as the 'Eight-legged Archway'). The archway was built in the twelfth year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1584), and has a history of over four hundred years. Supported by eight pillars, it is majestic and spectacular, with exquisite carvings, and is known as the 'Eastern Arc de Triomphe'. Dressed in splendid attire, accompanied by the century-old stone archway, it's as if you have walked through a hundred years of vicissitudes.
✅ Huizhou Garden
To the north of Xu Guo Stone Archway is Huizhou Garden, which was established in March 1999. The Renhe Building, the ancient opera stage, the Nine Dragons Wall, the Lotus Pond, and the Jade Belt Bridge are all excellent spots for ancient style check-ins. For those who love to take photos, it will surely be a trip worth taking!
✅ Doushan Street
Doushan Street is known as the 'modern Rainy Lane', winding and long, with even more charm on rainy days. Holding an oil-paper umbrella, walking along the long Doushan Street, you are the girl who is like the lilac.
✅ Yuliang Ancient Town
Yuliang was once an important transportation hub in ancient Huizhou. The old street of Yuliang winds for 1 kilometer, with shops on both sides well-preserved and full of ancient charm. Strolling through the old street in ancient costume is a unique experience.
The Yuliang Dam, known as the 'Dujiangyan of the South', was originally built at the end of the Sui Dynasty and the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, with a history of over 1400 years, and is a key national cultural relics protection unit. The dam is built with large stone slabs, fixed together with mortise and tenon joints, and is an outstanding example of ancient Chinese hydraulic engineering.
2. Where to stay?
● Accommodation
Recommended: ANON Anruo Holiday Homestay, Jingguan Inn (Huizhou Ancient City Branch), Shexian September Huizhou Inn, Yuyin Raoliang Designer Homestay (Shexian Huizhou Ancient City Branch)
3. How to get there?
After arriving by high-speed train or plane (within Huangshan City), you can take a taxi or a direct shuttle bus to Shexian County (about 60 yuan for a taxi, about 10 yuan for a shuttle bus).