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Ancient Anhui villages
August 14, 2011, Sunday
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XIDI and Hongcun are villages in east China's Anhui Province that preserve to a remarkable extent the appearance of non-urban settlements of a type that largely disappeared or was transformed during the past century. Their street plan, architecture and decoration and the integration of houses with comprehensive water systems are unique surviving examples.
The villages are graphic illustrations of a type of human settlement created during a feudal period and based on a prosperous trading economy. The buildings, which are widely spaced, are timber-framed with brick walls and elegantly carved decoration.
Xidi was originally called Xichuan (West River), because of the streams that pass through it. Streams enter from the north and east respectively, converging at the Huiyuan Bridge in the south of the village.
Hongcun was founded in 1131. It lies at the foot of Leigang Mountain. The village faces south, with its central part lying at a point central to the flanking mountains and rivers. An open watercourse runs through all the houses in the entire village and forms two ponds. The checkerboard pattern of streets and lanes follow the watercourse.
Xidi and Hongcun were inscribed in UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2000..
(UNESCO website)
The villages are graphic illustrations of a type of human settlement created during a feudal period and based on a prosperous trading economy. The buildings, which are widely spaced, are timber-framed with brick walls and elegantly carved decoration.
Xidi was originally called Xichuan (West River), because of the streams that pass through it. Streams enter from the north and east respectively, converging at the Huiyuan Bridge in the south of the village.
Hongcun was founded in 1131. It lies at the foot of Leigang Mountain. The village faces south, with its central part lying at a point central to the flanking mountains and rivers. An open watercourse runs through all the houses in the entire village and forms two ponds. The checkerboard pattern of streets and lanes follow the watercourse.
Xidi and Hongcun were inscribed in UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2000..
(UNESCO website)
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