2. Villages near the Huizhou ancient town

If you want to see typical Huizhou-style architecture, the villages such as Hongcun and Xidi are must-see places. Listed as UNESCO heritage sites, Xidi and Hongcun villages are the best representatives of Huizhou style architecture.

 

Huizhou-style architecture

Huizhou-style architecture takes advantage of the local landscape, takes fengshui into account and has a unique aesthetic. It features black tiles, white walls, horse heads and archways made of stone to form landmarks. The residential houses usually stand as a group and face the south for sufficient light. Often with courtyards, the houses display a sense of elegance and dignity as the entrances are framed with brick carvings, the openings adorned with stone carvings and window frames and door-frames decorated with wood carvings.

 

 

Black stone-carving eaves and the white wall are the typical characteristics of the Huizhou-style architecture. [Photo / Jackie Huang]

 

 

 

The civil houses surround the Moon Pool in Hongcun village. [Photo / Jackie Huang]

 

 

 

Two Chinese characters “xi” and “di”, the name of Xidi village carved on the wall. [Photo / Jackie Huang]

 

 

 

The photo shows a stone archway in Xidi village. [Photo / Jackie Huang]

 

 

 

An elegant sculpture hangs on the wall. [Photo / Jackie Huang]

 

 

 

Two knockers shaped as lion heads are nailed to the door. [Photo / Jackie Huang]

 

 

 

The inner structure of Huizhou-style architecture. [Photo / Jackie Huang]

 

 

 

A pile of instructions lies on a table. [Photo / Jackie Huang]

 

 

 

The photo shows several stone archways in Tangyue village. [Photo / Jackie Huang]