[2025 Hangzhou Attraction] Travel Guide for Huantan Village (Updated Feb)

Huantan Village dates back to the Northern Song Dynasty, when it was known as Xujia Village. During the Southern Song Dynasty, the famous general Yue Fei passed through the village on his southern expedition. He was so happy to drink the water here that he named the village Huantan. The village is home to many ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, including 26 wall gates, 3 ancient ancestral halls, 1 family temple, and 4 ancient water systems, all of which have rich historical and cultural significance. Huantan Village is also a well-preserved ancient village with several provincial-level cultural relics protection units. The main attractions include Yue Garden, Huantan Old House, Wubentang, Erqiao Book House, Dasi Temple, and Huantan Old Street. Huantan Old Street is several hundred meters long and retains the style of the Song Dynasty. There are many ancient decorations and specialty snack shops on both sides of the street. In addition, Huantan Village is known for its unique night views and relaxing atmosphere, attracting many visitors to experience rural life. 3A tourist attraction.

Dasi Temple is the ancestral hall of the Tian family in Huan Tan. According to the Tian family genealogy, during the Jianyan period of the Song dynasty (1127–1130), Tian Sheng, the Grand Preceptor, escorted the emperor to the south. His son, Tian Zhi, loved the beautiful scenery of Huan Tan, so he settled there and started a family. Tian Sheng was honored as the first ancestor of the Tian family in Huan Tan. Tian Zhi became the Grand Minister of Works, so the descendants of the Tian family named the ancestral hall "Dasi Temple." Dasi Temple is commonly known as the "General Ancestral Hall," with the hall name "Jingmao Hall." The temple faces south, with three entrances and three rooms, and two side buildings, covering an area of nearly 1,000 square meters. It was rebuilt in 1871, during the Tongzhi period of the Qing dynasty, and has a history of over 140 years. In September 2015, Huan Tan Village invested nearly 2 million yuan to restore Dasi Temple, following the principle of restoring it to its original appearance. It has become an important attraction in the construction of Huan Tan's beautiful countryside demonstration village. The front hall of the temple has a plaque with the words "Dasi Temple," the middle hall has a plaque with the hall name "Jingmao Hall" and some plaques of successful candidates in the imperial examinations, and the back hall enshrines the ancestral tablets of the Tian family from the first to the sixteenth generation. Today, Dasi Temple houses a family culture exhibition hall, reflecting the virtues of the Tian family, such as respecting ancestors, loving relatives, promoting family harmony, and loving the country and hometown, continuing the glorious history of the Tian family in Huan Tan. It is a key cultural relic in Hangzhou.

The Huantan School Site was built by Tian Wenduan, a descendant of Wubentang, during the Republic of China period. The overall building is in the shape of a "concave" and covers an area of 1,120 square meters. The Huantan School Site and the Beilou Old Western-style House were built at the same time and are connected by a corridor bridge. It was used as a school when it was built. As an affiliated building of the Huantan Old Western-style House, the Huantan School Site was announced as the seventh batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units by the People's Government of Zhejiang Province in 2017.

Wuben Hall of the Tian family is the most famous building on the old street of Huan Tan. The name of the hall comes from The Analects of Confucius: "The gentleman devotes himself to the foundation, and the foundation is established, and the way is born." It means to devote oneself to the fundamental things. In traditional Chinese culture, those who have made achievements all teach their children and grandchildren to "study poetry and books, learn etiquette and easy learning" as the method of Wuben. Like "farming in sunny days and reading in rainy days", the name of Wuben Hall is taken from the cultural charm, that is, to interpret the style of family education through architectural language, which shows the prosperity of the local culture. Wuben Hall was built in the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty. It faces south, with Cuishan Bay behind it and Huan Tan Creek in front of it, covering an area of 1,678.6 square meters. There are three entrances and two courtyards in the front and back, and there are 11 east and west wing rooms. It is a large-scale, well-designed and exquisitely carved traditional quadrangle courtyard in Jiangnan. The entrance hall is 9 rooms wide and concave. The bright room is a corridor and a stone gate, with 5 steps in front of the door. The second and third halls are both 3 rooms and 2 lanes, and there are 2 pools made of large green slabs in the patio. The corridors around the hall are continuous, and each room has corridors and roll sheds. Horsehead walls, hook heads and dripping water, eaves corridors and stone slabs in patios are all traditional architectural features of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. The whole house is full of exquisitely carved doors and windows, brick carvings and other components, which are antique. The hall is quiet and quiet, showing the style of "big house" everywhere. In 2017, Wuben Hall was listed as a provincial cultural protection unit in Zhejiang Province.

Huantan Old Western-style House was built by Tian Wenduan, a descendant of Wubentang, during the Republic of China period. It is called "Old Western-style House" by the locals. The overall architectural form is in the shape of a "凸" and consists of a porch and a three-story courtyard-style western-style building. It adopts a combination of Chinese and Western architectural styles. The exterior wall is made of gray and red bricks, and the doors and windows are in classic Western arch style. Tian Wenduan studied abroad in the West when he was young and was deeply influenced. After returning to his hometown, he built this typical imitation Western-style building, which covers an area of 525 square meters. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the small western-style building was once used as the office of the former "Huantan Township Government" and later became a primary school. In 2017, the People's Government of Zhejiang Province announced it as the seventh batch of provincial-level cultural relics protection units in Zhejiang Province.

Zhejiang has numerous ancient villages and towns, and everyone is already familiar with the famous ones. However, some lesser-known and less crowded villages are truly worth slowly appreciating. Recently, I checked in at such a small village and leisurely stayed for two or three hours. Apart from two or three villagers, I only saw a handful of tourists. Legend has it that when Yue Fei's army was pursuing the Jin soldiers, they passed by this place during the hot summer. The soldiers were extremely thirsty, so they drew water from the pond to drink and were delighted, hence the name 'Huantan' (Joyful Pond). In the summer, the fragrance of rice fills the air, the sound of cicadas is constant, and the scenery of the lotus pond is refreshing and delightful. The elderly, children, and women cooling off in the village have retained their old ways despite the passage of a thousand years, remaining peaceful and beautiful. Address: Huantan Village, Jinhua Town, Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou Transportation: Taking a bus from downtown Hangzhou takes a long time, as mentioned later, it is recommended to drive there. Parking: Navigate to 'Huantan Tourist Resort' parking lot, parking is free. Tickets: No tickets required. Entering the Scenic Area--Yue Garden--Huantan Old Western-style House--Wubentang--Erqiao Book House--Dasi Kong Ancestral Hall--Xintai--Huantan Old Street--Exit the Scenic Area Photo Spots: Wubentang: The horsehead walls, drip tiles, eaves corridors, and stone-paved courtyards are all characteristics of traditional Jiangsu and Zhejiang architecture. The entire courtyard is filled with exquisitely carved doors, windows, and brick carvings, giving it an ancient charm. Erqiao Book House: The only remaining Qing Dynasty book house in Xiaoshan. Dasi Kong Ancestral Hall: The ancestral hall of the Tian family in Huantan, it has been over 140 years since it was renovated in the tenth year of the Tongzhi reign (1871) of the Qing Dynasty. Huantan Old Street: The old street is not long, just a few hundred meters. Old Western-style House: A building with a completely different style from other buildings, making it particularly unique. Yue Garden: The core attraction of Huantan Village, with a bronze statue commemorating Yue Fei, the environment is very nice. How to Get There: Take Metro Line 2 to 'Chaoyang' Station, transfer to Bus 735B/735E, and get off at 'Huantan Primary School' Station. The bus ride takes about an hour; for those driving, navigate directly to 'Huantan Tourist Resort' parking lot. What to Eat: The local specialties such as rice cakes, glutinous rice cakes, and plum blossom cakes are worth trying, especially the glutinous rice cakes, which are a must-try.

The sun and the wind etch lines of time on the rammed earth walls, and the old houses line up along the bluestone paths, forming curves of history. Between these closely-packed ancient houses, hidden bluestone paths meander and twist, as if narrating age-old stories. These stories may be about the people who once lived here, or about the vicissitudes that this land has witnessed. In this ancient village of Zhejiang, although the ancient villages seem similar, each has its own unique charm. Whether it's the cool summers and spectacular starry skies of Gaotiankeng Village, the ancient architecture and diverse history of Zhiyan Ancient Village, the ancient legends and delicious food of Huan Tan Village, the deep mountain scenery and tranquil simplicity of Huanglin Ancient Village, the unique allure of the stone castles and succulent stone walls of Shenyang Village, or the picturesque scenes and historical tales of Huatang Ancient Village, they all make one linger and become immersed. These ancient villages are like little utopias, offering a moment of peace and comfort in the fast-paced modern life. They are witnesses of history, bearers of culture, and havens for the soul. Let us explore these ancient villages together and experience that unique slow life of the countryside!

Hangzhou Huan Tan Ancient Village | Seek a quiet place, enjoy a sense of peace Location: Huan Tan Village, Xiaoshan, Hangzhou In the heart of Hangzhou, Xiaoshan District hides a treasure that has been sculpted by both history and nature—Huan Tan Village. Legend has it that the hero Yue Fei once stopped here during his military campaigns, moved by the clarity of the pond water, he drank heartily and felt joy, hence the village was named 'Huan Tan' (Joyous Pond). This beautiful name not only tells an ancient story but also carves a special commemoration for the village. The Yue Garden in the village seems to echo with the reverberations of history; strolling along the ancient Huan Tan Old Street, every bluestone slab bears the imprint of time. Er Qiao Book House, old western-style houses, everywhere is a delicate display of Huizhou architecture. The traditional pastries of the village—Huan Tan Da Gao, Songhua Mochi, and Plum Blossom Cake—seem to carry the taste of the ancient village, intoxicating visitors. The tranquility here is only slightly disturbed on holidays or weekends when nearby residents bring their children to play. The blooming muhly grass at this time adds a soft hue to your photos

Wang Yuanbao, a businessman of the Tang Dynasty, was so rich that he could rival a country. He was favored by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, who called him 'rich enough to rival the nobles'. He befriended the powerful and cleared the snow to welcome guests. After Huang Chao's defeat, Wang Jiu Hu helped repair the Zhuque Gate and Anguo Temple. Dou Yichang was good at dancing, Luo Hui focused on running the 'manure business', and became very wealthy. In the late Tang Dynasty, Yang Yi and Er prospered more than Chang'an and Luoyang. The children of the Jianghuai gentry transformed into businessmen. The young men of Wuling were wild and unruly. Wei Yingwu entered the officialdom with the shade of his family, and was a typical prodigal. After the Anshi Rebellion, he was determined to study and took the right path. The evil young men of the market challenged the two realms of yin and yang, with tattoos of Bai Juyi and Luo Yin's poems, or the image of the Green Pi Shaman King. Their names were attached to the Shence Army (the Forbidden Army), and they were arrogant in the market with their identity. The poets of the Tang Dynasty, walking between heaven and earth, 'wrote thousands of miles into their hearts'. And the rich and bumpy experience is the foundation of 'who in the world does not know you'. 1. Traveling and taking exams increased the poet's experience. 2. The selection system for official positions, examining body language and judgment 3. Seeking promotion. Seeking the recommendation of local officials (Li Bai) 4. Entering the curtain as a springboard (Han Yu, Li Shangyin, going north to Heshuo) 5. Non-institutional demotion, refuge from war, 6. Visiting travel

Huantan ancient village, located in Jinhua Town, Xiaoshan, Hangzhou, is a gathering place for the Tian family and is also known as the "hometown of Wuyi". Originally called Xujiacun (Tianle), it was named "Huantan" because Yue Fei drank the water of the pond and was happy when he marched against the Jin Dynasty here, hence the name "Huantan", and the village was named after the pond. Looking at Huantan in the ancient village of the Southern Song Dynasty, Songyun Huantan looks at Yueyuan. There are Yue Wumu Temple, Xieshan-style hexagonal pavilion, Huantan seven-corner well, etc. in Yueyuan. There is a bronze statue of Yue Fei in the temple, which is about 3 meters high and echoes the sitting statue in the Yue Temple on Beishan Street. The couplet of the octagonal pavilion in the garden is: "The green forest of Dayan Mountain is rich and the water of Huantan laughs at the source and flows long". The Huantan area is a must-pass for Yue Fei's troops, and it also leaves commemorative place names such as Yuezhucun, Niugao Village, Yuezhuling, and Niugaoling. The Tian family in Huantan donated land deeds, accumulated property in good years, used to help the poor and overcome difficulties, and the atmosphere of righteousness first has been passed down to this day. "Yicang, Yixue, Yidu, Yizhen, Yizang" are the five major righteous acts passed down by Huantan generations. Huantan Yicang was created by Ning Gong, and the family temple of the Grand Sima has righteous fields, and the grain produced is put into Yicang. Yicang also has a smoke-watching platform. If you see villagers without cooking smoke all day in the twelfth lunar month, go and check. Huantan has five private schools and book houses, and the literary style is prosperous. "Farming is the main duty, reading can honor the body", the Tian family in Huantan has always valued farming and reading, so there have been 133 court-appointed officials from Huantan Village in history. Although Huantan has good feng shui, in fact, the local culture also nurtures the local feng shui. In 1803, Tian Zunxian and his son Tian Xingyi donated to build a righteous school, named "Xianyi Book House".

Huantan Village has many historical sites, with about 30,000 square meters of Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings. The old western-style house (the former site of Huantan School), Wuben Hall, and Erqiao Bookstore have all been listed as provincial-level cultural protection units in Zhejiang. Erqiao Bookstore is the only existing Qing Dynasty bookstore in Xiaoshan, and it is a true portrayal of Huantan's respect for learning. It is named because it is located between Renji Bridge and Shangmu Bridge. Erqiao Bookstore was originally a private school of Tian Zuo's Wuben Hall, and later it was oriented towards the prestigious families of Huantan. "Commoner Commander" Tang Shouqian once studied at Erqiao Bookstore. He was an industrialist in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, and a leader of the constitutionalists in the late Qing Dynasty. He later built the Zhejiang Library, determined the location of Hangzhou City Station, and created a model of China's first generation of modern primary schools in Huantan. The old western-style house was built by Tian Wenrui, a descendant of Tian Zuo, during the Republic of China period, and it is a perfect example of the combination of Chinese and Western styles. At the same time, Huantan School was built and connected by a corridor. Later, Huantan Township Government, Huantan Primary School, Junior High School and High School all used this old western-style house. The first floor of the old western-style house is the Village History Museum, which displays the history and spirit of Huantan Village. The second floor is the Hall of Famous Local Talents, such as Tian Dayear who was enshrined in the Jiangxi Famous Official Temple, philanthropist Tian Wenrui, anti-British national hero Ge Yunfei, commoner commander Tang Shouqian, red doctor Tian Zengji, first-generation aircraft designer Tian Zhehe, anti-epidemic academician Li Lanjuan, and bird expert Tian Zengbiao. Wuben Hall has white walls and black tiles, and was built by Tian Zuo, the then county magistrate of Dantu, Zhenjiang, during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty. Tian Zuo was honest and upright, and was praised by Li Hongzhang as "not greedy for profit, not afraid of harm". Wuben Hall is backed by Cuishan Bay and faces Huantan Creek. The green brick small tile horse head wall, the corridor hangs the flower window, everywhere shows the style of the big house door. The name of the hall comes from "The gentleman is diligent in his duties, and the way is born when the root is established", which was the largest gate in the Xiaoshao area at that time. The Tian family of Huantan is a "Three Officials' Family", and the Tian family ancestral hall is the family temple of the Grand Minister of Space, with the official position of the first ancestor Tian Zhi, the "Grand Minister of Space", as the main shrine plaque. Commonly known as "General Ancestral Hall", the hall number is "Jingmao Hall". It faces south with three entrances and three rooms. Tian Yi was awarded the position of Minister of Space for his protection of Emperor Gaozong of Song during his southern expedition. He was a reformer who advocated change and innovation, and he was a literary man and poet who had a profound influence on later generations. He was upright and loyal, did not curry favor with the powerful, and took it upon himself to admonish with loyalty. Fan Zhongyan wrote his tombstone inscription, Sima Guang made a divine road stele, and Su Shi preface his proposal can be compared with Jia Yi. His father, Tian Sheng, was a general who fought against the Jin, and was conferred the title of Duke of Lu.