Xixinan — A Real-Life Emerald Wonderland

Southern Anhui is home to many renowned ancient villages, among them Xidi, Hongcun, and Nanping. Yet at the southern foot of Mount Huangshan, along the banks of the Fengle River, lies a millennium-old town quietly hidden from the crowds.

Living by the water, cloaked in deep verdure, it feels like a forgotten emerald isle. Its name is Xixinan.

“An isle of lush green, a homeland within the mortal world.”

To wander into Xixinan is to step into a living version of The Wizard of Oz — a realm where reality softens into enchantment.

Xixinan Village
Huizhou District, Huangshan, Anhui Province

With a history spanning over a thousand years, Xixinan was first established during the Later Tang Dynasty, flourished through the Five Dynasties and the Song era, and reached its zenith in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Whitewashed walls and dark-tiled roofs define its skyline; ancient customs linger in its quiet lanes. Lush trees cast generous shade, while streams weave gently through the settlement.

At the village entrance lies a stretch of wetland and a grove of towering maple poplars. Beneath their dense canopy flows the crystal-clear Fengle River, its waters reflecting the clusters of traditional dwellings lining both banks.

More than a hundred Ming and Qing structures remain intact to this day. Historic residences such as Laowu Pavilion, Lurao Pavilion, and the Twelve Towers stand as testaments to refined craftsmanship and enduring cultural value.

The old town of Xixinan gathers architectural relics from various dynasties, each one a footprint of history. Compared with more commercialized ancient towns, Xixinan offers something rarer — authenticity, depth, and a quiet grace that invites unhurried exploration.