Huangshan Mountains and Xidi

Huangshan

Our next stop was the spectacular Huangshan Mountains (“Yellow Mountains”), which have inspired painters and poets for countless centuries. We spent the day hiking and exploring the amazing jagged peaks and temples of the Huangshan, although I must admit that we took the tram to the top rather than making the arduous hike. We did hike down though. :)

Xidi

With our hike down the Huangshan Mountains complete, Dany and I were on to the next adventure. We had read about a well-preserved ancient village nearby and were very interested in squeezing a visit in. After some hassle, we found a local taxi to drive us there, wait, and then drive us back. What a fantastic side trip! The village—Xidi—is over 500 years old, built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties and preserved perfectly! Reputed as “A Living Ancient Residential Museum,” Xidi was added as a UNESCO world cultural heritage site in 2000. The village consists of 122 residential areas, all preserved in the Ming/Qing style. As we wandered through the narrow alleys of this little village (with our obligatory guide, who was really more of a ‘minder’), I felt as if I had truly stepped back in time. The structures are full of exquisite wood carvings, stone engravings, and tile carvings, but my favorite aspect was the ever present circle door—a very ‘harmonious’ element in Taoist philosophy.