Xidi Village

西递

Another UNESCO-protected Huangshan-area village showcasing intact Hui-style merchant architecture with intricate wood carving and stone work. The narrow lanes and hidden courtyards feel like stepping into a living museum of the Ming Dynasty.

Things to do

• Explore Hu's Residence — Tour this sprawling 300-year-old merchant mansion with 99 rooms featuring intricate wood carvings, stone screens, and a central courtyard that exemplifies Ming Dynasty architecture.
• Walk the Bluestone Lanes — Wander the narrow, winding pedestrian streets paved with smooth bluestone that connect hidden courtyards and reveal the village's original Ming and Qing Dynasty layout.
• Photography Tour at Dawn — Capture the village mist-shrouded rooflines and traditional tilework in early morning light when tour groups are sparse and atmospheric conditions are ideal.
• Stone Carving Workshop Visit — Watch artisans at work in small studios demonstrating traditional stone carving techniques used to create decorative screens, lintels, and architectural ornaments still seen throughout the village.
• Ancestral Hall Tour — Visit the Xidi ancestral halls to understand Hui merchant clan structures and observe ritual spaces decorated with calligraphy and clan genealogies spanning centuries.
• Rooftop and Wall Walk — Follow the preserved defensive walls and rooftop pathways that once connected houses, offering elevated views of the entire village layout and surrounding tea-covered hills.

Food to try

• Huangshan Tofu — Soft, delicate tofu made from local mountain spring water, often served stir-fried with local greens or in a mild broth as a specialty of the Huangshan region.
• Xidi Bamboo Shoot Dishes — Fresh bamboo shoots harvested from surrounding forests, prepared pickled, steamed, or braised in soy sauce as a seasonal delicacy reflecting the village's forested surroundings.
• Hui-style Smoked Fish — Fresh mountain stream fish cured and smoked over camphor wood, imparting a distinctive fragrance and tender texture prized in traditional Hui cuisine.
• Osmanthus Cake — Local pastry infused with fragrant osmanthus flowers that bloom in autumn, a traditional Huizhou dessert sold by village vendors and families.
• Stone Chicken (Shi Ji) — A dish of chicken braised with local mushrooms, chestnuts, and medicinal herbs using cooking methods passed down through Hui merchant families.

Local customs & good to know

• Entrance Fee and Operating Hours — The village charges an admission fee and has designated entry gates; visiting early morning or late afternoon avoids peak tour bus crowds typical during midday.
• Respect Private Residences — Many of the village's traditional houses remain inhabited by descendants of original families; observe quietly and ask permission before photographing interiors or residents.
• Wear Comfortable Shoes — The entire village consists of uneven, narrow bluestone lanes with no vehicle access; sturdy walking shoes are essential as slippery stones are common in damp conditions.
• Local Hospitality Customs — Villagers often offer tea or small conversation to visitors in their courtyards; accepting politely and purchasing items from family shops is appreciated as these sales support village maintenance.