Hongcun

Hongcun was laid out in the fourteenth century by the Wang clan according to a plan that reads the village as an ox: a hill as the head, two trees as horns, the houses as the body, four bridges as legs, and a water system as the intestines, with a channel running past every door to the Moon Pond in the centre and the South Lake beyond. It is one of two villages, with Xidi, inscribed by UNESCO in 2000 as ancient villages of southern Anhui, and the Huizhou architecture, white walls, black tiles and stepped horse-head gables, is the regional signature. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon opened here. Art students sit painting around the pond most days.

What you actually see

• The Moon Pond - the crescent pool at the village centre with reflected houses.
• The water channels - the system running past every doorway.
• The Huizhou architecture - white walls, black tiles and horse-head gables.
• Chengzhi Hall - a merchant house with dense wood carving.

When to go

March to May and September to November; spring rape flowers and autumn colour are the peaks. Early morning before the coaches arrive gives the reflections without the crowds. Summer is hot and humid.

Honest expectations

Crowds are heavy from mid-morning, with tour groups filling the narrow lanes. The village is small and can be walked in an hour. Villagers still live here and privacy is limited. Entry is charged and relatively expensive.

Nearby

Xidi is a short drive; Huangshan rises to the northeast.