Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui: Xidi. Hongcun

Author: Wang Yansong
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Xidi is located in the southeastern part of Yi County, Anhui Province, with geographic coordinates: 117°38′ east longitude and 30°11′ north latitude. The village covers an area of 12.96 hectares. Xidi Village is surrounded by mountains on all sides, with two streams flowing from the north and east of the village, converging at the Huoyuan Bridge in the south. The village is primarily structured around a longitudinal street and two streamside roads, forming a village street system that extends mainly eastward and north-south. All streets and alleys are paved with Yi County green stone, and the ancient buildings are of wooden structures with brick walls for maintenance. The wood carvings, stone carvings, and brick carvings are rich and varied, with the alleyways, streams, and architectural layouts harmoniously integrated. The spatial changes in the village are subtle and elegant, and the architectural colors are simple and refined, reflecting the outstanding talent and achievements in creating human living environments for ancient villages in southern Anhui. It holds significant historical, artistic, and scientific value. Xidi Village is an ancient village where the Hu family lives together based on kinship ties. It originated in the 11th century and flourished between the 14th and 19th centuries. In the early 20th century, with the decline of feudal patriarchal systems in China, the development of Xidi Village also slowed down. Due to minimal historical invasions from wars and little impact from economic development, the original form of the village has been well-preserved, maintaining the authenticity and integrity of its historical development. Currently, 124 Ming and Qing Dynasty ancient residential buildings and 3 ancestral halls are preserved, all of which have been listed as key cultural relics protection units in Anhui Province. In 1999, Xidi Village was designated by the state as a candidate for world heritage nomination and submitted to UNESCO. It passed expert evaluation and inspection. On November 30, 2000, UNESCO included Xidi Village on the World Heritage List.
Xidi is located in the southeastern part of Yi County, Anhui Province, with geographic coordinates: 117°38′ east longitude and 30°11′ north latitude, covering an area of 12.96 hectares. Xidi Village is surrounded by mountains on all sides, with two streams flowing from the north and east of the village, converging at the Huoyuan Bridge in the south. The village is primarily structured around a longitudinal street and two streamside roads, forming a village street system that extends mainly eastward and north-south. All streets and alleys are paved with Yi County green stone, and the ancient buildings are of wooden structures with brick walls for maintenance. The wood carvings, stone carvings, and brick carvings are rich and varied, with the alleyways, streams, and architectural layouts harmoniously integrated. The spatial changes in the village are subtle and elegant, and the architectural colors are simple and refined, reflecting the outstanding talent and achievements in creating human living environments for ancient villages in southern Anhui. It holds significant historical, artistic, and scientific value. Xidi Village is an ancient village where the Hu family lives together based on kinship ties. It originated in the 11th century and flourished between the 14th and 19th centuries. In the early 20th century, with the decline of feudal patriarchal systems in China, the development of Xidi Village also slowed down. Due to minimal historical invasions from wars and little impact from economic development, the original form of the village has been well-preserved, maintaining the authenticity and integrity of its historical development. Currently, 124 Ming and Qing Dynasty ancient residential buildings and 3 ancestral halls are preserved, all of which have been listed as key cultural relics protection units in Anhui Province. In 1999, Xidi Village was designated by the state as a candidate for world heritage nomination and submitted to UNESCO. It passed expert evaluation and inspection. On November 30, 2000, UNESCO included Xidi Village on the World Heritage List.