Chengkan Ancient Village
Chengkan Ancient Village, a UNESCO-listed ancient settlement nestled in Huangshan’s foothills, is China’s best-preserved example of Feng Shui urban planning. Founded during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220 CE), it follows a Bagua (Eight Trigrams) layout, with waterways and streets aligned to Taoist cosmological principles. The village’s 150 Ming-Qing Dynasty courtyard homes, ancestral halls, and stone bridges earned it the nickname “Chinese Ancient Architecture Museum.” Designated a 5A National Tourist Attraction, it remains a living testament to rural China’s philosophical and architectural heritage.
Historical Overview
Established in 1800 CE by the Yi family, the village flourished under the Tang Dynasty’s Yi Xuanjing, who formalized its Bagua layout. The Lu clan migrated here during the Yuan Dynasty, building the Lu Family Ancestral Hall, a Ming Dynasty architectural marvel. Key events include the 1644 Ming-Qing transition, which spared Chengkan due to its strategic neutrality, and the 2012 UNESCO application, which highlighted its “cultural DNA of Chinese civilization.”
Structural Layout
The village follows a turtle-shaped Bagua design:
Head (North): The Yongxing Lake (auspicious beginning) and Shangshu Square.
Body (Center): Zhongxin Street (main axis) flanked by 49 lanes symbolizing Yin-Yang balance.
Tail (South): The Hongxing Gate and Lu Family Ancestral Hall.
Key structures include the Moon Pond (Yin-Yang water feature), Flower Bridge (stone arch with 12 zodiac carvings), and Baolun Pavilion (village academy).
Major Attractions
Lu Family Ancestral Hall: A Ming Dynasty hall with 700-year-old wooden pillars and a “dragon carving” banned by the Qing court.
Yan Yi Tang: A Qing Dynasty merchant’s residence with a “fire-proof” brick vault and hidden escape tunnel.
Zhongxin Street: A 1.2-kilometer cobblestone road lined with ironwood shops and stone inscriptions.
Changchun Society: A Taoist temple housing the “God of Longevity” statue and ancient astrology charts.
Huanxiu Bridge: A 14th-century stone bridge with a view of the village’s turtle-back silhouette.
Dongshu Pavilion: A Ming Dynasty study hall with rotating bookshelves and a calligraphy workshop.
Bagua Garden: A bamboo maze replicating the Eight Trigrams, opened seasonally for visitors.
Suggested Itineraries
- Classic Route (1.5 hours):
Hongxing Gate → Zhongxin Street → Lu Family Ancestral Hall → Huanxiu Bridge → Exit.
Highlights: Core Feng Shui layout and ancestral hall.
- Cultural Route (3 hours):
Yongxing Lake → Zhongxin Street → Yan Yi Tang → Changchun Society → Bagua Garden.
Highlights: Merchant history and Taoist cosmology
- Photography Route (4 hours):
Sunrise at Moon Pond → Zhongxin Street → Flower Bridge → Dusk at Huanxiu Bridge.
Highlights: Golden-hour reflections and village vistas.
Ticket Purchase
Online: Book via Chengkan Village official website or Ctrip (up to 7 days in advance).
On-Site: Tickets at Hongxing Gate; arrive by 8:30 AM to avoid tour groups.
Prices: ¥107 (adults), ¥54 (students/seniors). Free for children under 1.2m.
Combo Ticket: ¥150 (includes Tangyue Memorial Archways and Huizhou Ancient City).
Transportation
By Bus: From Huangshan North Railway Station, take Bus 2 to Chengkan Stop (1 hour, ¥15).
By Taxi: ¥80 from Tunxi District; negotiate fare upfront.
By Tour: Join a Huangshan cultural tour (¥300–400/person, includes guide and transfers).
Best Time & Tips
Peak Hours: Avoid 11 AM–2 PM; visit early (7:30 AM opening) or late (after 4 PM).
Crowds: Quietest in winter; weekends busy with domestic tourists.
Weather: Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) ideal. Summer brings monsoon rains.
Essentials: Wear anti-slip shoes (cobblestones can be slippery); carry an umbrella for sudden showers.
Prohibited: Drones, climbing on ancient structures, and feeding fish in the Moon Pond.
FAQ
What are the core attractions in Chengkan Ancient Village?
Key attractions include Yin-Yang Layout Scenic Area (showcasing the village’s unique feng shui design based on the Eight Trigrams), Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (a well-preserved Ming Dynasty building with intricate wood carvings), and Longevity Archway (a historic stone archway honoring local elders, symbolizing filial piety).
What are the best spots for photography in Chengkan?
Longevity Archway at sunrise, with morning light highlighting its stone carvings. Narrow lanes lined with gray-tiled houses, especially when mist lingers in early morning. Lotus ponds in summer, with ancestral halls reflected in the water. Courtyard gardens with ancient trees and stone pavilions.
What unique folk activities are held in Chengkan?
Spring Festival Rituals: Ancestor worship ceremonies in the clan halls, followed by dragon dances and firecracker displays. Mid-Autumn Festival: Villagers gather to make mooncakes and hold lantern parades along the village lanes. Ancestor Memorial Day (lunar March 3rd): Offerings to honor ancestors, with traditional music and poetry recitals.
What is the most convenient way from Hongcun to Chengkan?
Take a bus from Hongcun to Huangshan City (1 hour), then transfer to a bus to Chengkan (40 minutes). Total journey time is about 2 hours, with combined fares around CNY 25. Alternatively, hire a private car for a direct 1.5-hour ride (fares around CNY 150).
What souvenirs are worth buying in Chengkan?
Handmade Huizhou inkstones (traditional writing tools). Local tea (such as Huangshan Maofeng, grown in nearby mountains). Embroidered products with Huizhou patterns, like handkerchiefs and purses.
