China · Anhui
Hongcun Travel Guide
A water-colour village in the hills of southern Anhui: the ox-shaped plan of Moon Pond and South Lake, 140 Ming–Qing courtyard houses, and the autumn maples of Tachuan two kilometres away.
China · Anhui
A water-colour village in the hills of southern Anhui: the ox-shaped plan of Moon Pond and South Lake, 140 Ming–Qing courtyard houses, and the autumn maples of Tachuan two kilometres away.
The half-moon pool that mirrors the white-walled houses — Hongcun’s soul.
The village’s great mirror lake, ringed by academies and ancient trees.
The finest carved mansion in the village — a merchant palace of Huizhou.
Hongcun was laid out as an ox: the pools its stomach, the lanes its intestines.
Two kilometres away, Tachuan’s autumn red leaves are a photographer’s classic.
The bamboo grove of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, a short drive away.
One day covers Hongcun; a three-day loop adds Tachuan, Mukeng and the Xidi village.
Spring for rapeseed flowers, autumn for the Tachuan red leaves.
Guesthouses inside the old courtyards — a night in a Ming–Qing house is the classic Hongcun experience.
Bamboo crafts are cheap and light — the PDF guide’s pick.
Domestic and international flights land at the city’s airport, linked to the centre by metro and airport shuttles.
High-speed rail (CRH) connects most Chinese cities; the main station is close to the centre with metro transfer.
Long-distance coaches serve nearby towns and provinces from the main bus station.
Metered taxis and ride-hailing apps are easy to flag; a 3 km city trip starts around ¥14.
Car rental with a local driver is available for day trips to the countryside and coastline.
The half-moon pool and its perfect mirror of the old houses — Hongcun’s postcard view.
The carved merchant mansion of the Qing era — Hongcun’s grandest interior.
The bamboo forest of the film, with spring rapeseed fields around it.
Join the painters and photographers at the half-moon pool at dawn.
Follow the "ox-intestine" lanes past 140 Ming–Qing courtyards.
Red-maple season in the village two kilometres away.
A morning in the Mukeng groves of the film.
Sleep inside a Ming–Qing house — carved beds and lantern light.
Wake to the autumn maples and village mist.
Modern options ten minutes away.
Full hotel lists across Anhui on our hotels page.
Bamboo shoots, river fish and slow-braised pork — the mountain table.
Stuffed rice dumplings and tea eggs at the village gates.
Green tea from the surrounding Huangshan hills.
Congee, pickles and a fried egg in a courtyard garden.
Cheap, light and handmade — the guide’s souvenir pick.
Green tea from the mountains above.
Browse Anhui specialties on our specialty pages.
Autumn maples two kilometres away.
A half-day in the groves of the film.
The sister village of carved gateways, twenty minutes away.
Moon Pond, South Lake and Chengzhi Hall in a day. View the plan →
Tachuan, Mukeng and Xidi around the village loop. View the plan →
Hongcun Village Moon Pond, South Lake, Chengzhi Hall and the lanes — night in a courtyard guesthouse.
Tachuan & Mukeng Morning maples at Tachuan, afternoon bamboo at Mukeng.
Xidi The sister village’s deep courtyards and carved gateways, then the return.
A day trip costs ¥500–800; a village stay adds little and changes everything.
High-speed rail to Huangshan North, then a coach or private transfer (about 1 h).
Local guesthouse owners speak enough English for the essentials.
Spring for flowers, autumn for maples — avoid public holidays.
Tickets, hotels, train seats and local drivers arranged by our team — free of charge, no obligation.
Hongcun, Xidi, Tachuan and more.
Licensed local operators.
Souvenirs and food products.