In February, Beijing has just experienced a heavy snowfall, and the valleys, streams, forests, fields and villages in western Beijing are covered with snow. We drove west along National Highway 109 from Beijing, driving more than 90 kilometers, and we arrived at the famous Ming and Qing Dynasty ancient villages in western Beijing. Surrounded by mountains, the village presents a deep, clear, simple and peaceful scenery, full of unique charm and atmosphere.
After the snow"Kasbah Village"
This small village is located in a deep mountain valley in the northwest of Zhaitang Town, Mentougou District, Jingxi, on an important Jingxi Ancient Road. The Jingxi Ancient Road is an important military passage connecting the border passes in the capital during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and it is also a traffic artery leading to Hebei, Shanxi and Inner Mongolia. The rolling hills hinder the ancient village's connection to the outside world, but it creates an isolated hideaway.
The word "planing" has become a symbol of the village, and there is such a slip in the village: "Xing word head, Lin word waist, big word under the shelf fire".
The overall layout of the village is in the shape of "ingots".
The village under the snow after the planing.
When we stand on the hill opposite the village and look down, we can see that the overall layout of the village is in the shape of "ingots", and it is also taking the meaning of "gold and silver" to gather wealth. The courtyards of the houses in the village are built according to local conditions and along the mountains, forming a pattern of buildings with quadrangle courtyards as the main and triple courtyards as supplements. The gray tile eaves of the houses with unique shapes, the courtyard wall is high, the door pier is exquisitely carved, the brick carving shadow wall is unique, and the mural couplets can be seen everywhere. Whether it is the mottled old house and the eaves bucket beam, or the exquisite brick carving, stone carving, wood carving of the ancient dwelling, even if it is broken and damaged, but it still preserves the delicacy and style of the past, and retains the time.
Guangliang Temple. 
Quadrangle. 
Old wells. 
Stone Yongju. 
A castle village in the mountains
Walking through the alleys, the old houses, stone mills, and ancient acacia in the village seem to tell people about their ancient history. Generations of villagers here have lived together, farmed and enjoyed together, living an idyllic life. The decoration, carving, and painting of the courtyard also reflect the folk customs and traditional culture everywhere, and the pursuit of happiness, beauty, wealth, and auspiciousness is quietly released in it. The snow fell, and the gray eaves of the roofs of the houses were covered with crystal white snow. The quaint color blocks of blue bricks and gray tiles make up the whole village. The village after the snow is more poetic and picturesque, full of simple and charming style.