【Location】Yi County, Huangshan District, Huangshan City, South of Anhui Provice
【Type】 World Cultural Heritage Site, Ancient Architecture
【Rank】 ★★★★★
【Recommended Time to stay】1 Day
【Opening Hours】8:00-18:00

Xidi is notable for the many archways that line the road to the village. In the past, it was a status symbol of wealth and distinction to build grand archways, so the bigger the better. Because many rich merchants once lived here, there are scores of archways on this hidden area. Each archway is made of local marble and is carved in typical Anhui style, decorated with multiple reliefs.

At the entrance of the village, your attention will be caught by a magnificent memorial archway, which was built in honor of a celebrated official in mid Ming Dynasty. Inside the village you will find that all the houses were built with one common feature: the wood-bricked structures with two storeys, elaborately carved beams, and colorfully painted pillars. The designs of the wood carvings are all originated from Chinese legendary stories and ancient routine practice.

The houses in Xidi are also remarkable because the local merchants , in order to protect their families and belongings from bandits, built their dwellings with very high walls and small, if any, windows. As a result, strolling through Xidi, one can feel the insular atmosphere that must have permeated throughout the village, especially when walking down the narrow alleyways between the walls of two dwellings. Within the walls, the exquisite woodcarvings and delicately created reliefs throughout the entire dwelling confirm the wealth of its owner and the opulence the family once enjoyed.

Because of the old-aged style, carvings in Xidi Village are very traditional in Chinese style which may not be found in other place. Carvings of stones, bricks and wood are not sold for tourists. They are parts of this ancient village. Door frames, lattice walls, columns and beams in the halls, all of these corners are decorated by those carvings. People can find a past smell from them.