Hongcun, village in Yi County, Huangshan, Anhui, China
Hongcun is an old village in Anhui Province located at the base of Mount Huangshan. The settlement consists of narrow lanes, white-walled and black-tiled houses arranged around several ponds and waterways that form an artfully planned network connected to the surrounding streams.
The village was founded in 1131 by General Wang Wen during the Southern Song Dynasty. Over the centuries it grew into a trading center for wealthy merchants of the Wang family, who built large houses filled with elaborate wood carvings and decorative details.
The name Hongcun means 'red village' and refers to the red soil of the area. The settlement was founded by the Wang family, whose descendants lived here for centuries and made it a prosperous trading center that attracted merchants from neighboring regions.
The village is best visited in spring and autumn when weather is mild and the landscape shines with color. It is easily reached by bus from Huangshan City, with journeys taking less than 2 hours.
The village layout resembles the shape of an ox, with streets and waterways designed according to geomantic principles. Scenes from the film 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' were shot here, which brought the place worldwide recognition.
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