Xidihong Village is one of the two ancient villages in Yi County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, China, which are famous for their well-preserved Huizhou traditional architecture and were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2000. These Hui-style buildings are not only places where ancient residents lived, but also evidence of the history of the development of Hui culture and art.
The Huizhou architectural style was formed in the Song Dynasty and then reached its peak during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The characteristics of this architectural style include white walls and black tiles, horse-head walls, and exquisite wood, brick and stone carvings. In particular, they often have courtyards and patios to accommodate the mountain climate while providing a private and comfortable living space for the occupants.
The charm of the Hui-style buildings in Xidihong Village lies in the fact that they are designed with both practicality and aesthetic value in mind. The roof decoration is characterized by the majestic horse-head wall, which not only serves as a fire barrier, but also shows the superb skills of Huizhou craftsmen. The walls are often painted in white plaster, which contrasts sharply with the black glazed tiles, adding to the visual impact of the building. In addition, the carved decorations commonly used in Huizhou architecture are very fine, whether it is wood carvings, brick window lattices or stone carved railings, all of which show the extremely exquisite craftsmanship of Huizhou craftsmen.
The layout of Xidi and Hongcun is very ingenious, and the villages are surrounded by mountains and rivers, harmoniously blending in with the surrounding natural landscape. Among them, Hongcun is centered on the "Moon Pond" (i.e., South Lake), and the residential buildings around the lake are scattered, reflecting the traditional concept of integrating with nature. Xidi is based on the Meiyue-shaped old street, which is flanked by neatly arranged shops and residences, and the various forms of rooftops and deep alleys and small courtyards create a calm and historic atmosphere.
Walking into these ancient villages, you can feel the mellowness and elegance of the Hui architecture, and each house seems to carry the precipitation of history, making people feel as if they have traveled back hundreds of years ago. Here, architecture is not just a place to live, they are intimately combined with local history, art, philosophy and folklore, forming a unique form of cultural expression.
In short, the Hui-style buildings in Xidihong Village are infinitely charming, not only because of their historical, artistic and scientific value, but also because they are the treasures of the traditional culture of the Chinese nation, reflecting the wisdom of the harmonious coexistence of the human living environment and the natural environment. These traditional villages and their buildings not only present the material culture and spiritual outlook of Huizhou to future generations, but also show the profound foundation and unique charm of traditional Chinese architecture to the world.