The elegant twin of nearby Hongcun, Xidi is a UNESCO-listed Huizhou village of whitewashed mansions, memorial archways and exquisite wood, stone and brick carving — a window into the world of Ming and Qing merchant gentry.
History & culture
Settled by the Hu clan from the 11th century, Xidi grew wealthy from Huizhou merchants who poured their fortunes into ornate ancestral halls and homes, leaving one of China's finest ensembles of traditional architecture.
What to see & do
- ◆The towering Hu Wenguang memorial archway
- ◆Intricately carved merchant residences and ancestral halls
- ◆Narrow flagstone lanes and courtyard gardens
- ◆Couplets and woodwork that reveal Confucian merchant values
- ◆Combine with Hongcun and Mount Huangshan nearby
What to eat
- ●Huizhou stinky mandarin fish
- ●Stewed bamboo shoots and mountain greens
- ●Local Maofeng green tea
Getting there
High-speed rail to Huangshan North, then bus or car (~1–1.5h). Xidi is commonly paired with Hongcun and Mount Huangshan.
Avoid the pitfalls
- Visit early or late to enjoy the lanes without tour-group crush.
- Keep your ticket; it may be checked within the village.
- It's quieter and more scholarly than Hongcun's famous ponds — savour the carving detail.
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