In ancient Huizhou, there were six counties. Nowadays, Shexian and Yixian within Anhui Province are the most famous. Xiuning and Qimen are relatively neglected. Although Jixi has been incorporated into Xuancheng City, since ancient times, it has been a place with “a small county but many scholars and famous people in every generation”. It is also the hometown of Huizhou cuisine and Huizhou ink. Compared with urban areas, it is more suitable as a destination for a one-day tour.
Sightseeing:
- Longchuan: In Jixi, the Hu family is a major surname. Longchuan is one of the “Four Hu Families in Jixi”. Compared with the “Hu families converted from Li family” represented by Hu Xueyan and Hu Shi, there are more officials in Longchuan. The small village is like a ship parked by the Dengyuan River. A tour around takes only 40 to 60 minutes. Visit the Hu Family Ancestral Hall with exquisite wood carvings. Stand under the “Yishi Shangshu Archway” inscribed by Wen Zhengming and erected for Hu Fu, the Minister of Revenue, and Hu Zongxian, the Minister of War. Recall the historical events in “The Year 1566 of Ming Dynasty”.
Tips: 1. There are some small guesthouses at the entrance of Longchuan village where you can stay, but the conditions are average. The advantage is that it is convenient to enter the village for free before 7:30 and after 17:30. 2. There are many places selling taguo (a kind of pastry) in the village. The dried plum vegetable filling is very fragrant. There are also qingmingba (a kind of pastry with wormwood and glutinous rice skin). Small mountain walnut kernels are 50 yuan per catty, which is cost-effective and delicious. - Millennium Renli: There is no entrance fee. The old street here is the main road to enter the Huizhou-Hangzhou Ancient Path. It used to be lined with shops and was bustling. Although the ancestral house of the Cheng family is still preserved today, on the whole, it is not so “ancient”. Rural innovation projects such as pottery, old tailors, and rural bars have been introduced. The villagers are peeling thin bamboo shoots in spring together on the street. Small shops are hanging pork and smoked ducks and also selling vegetables, full of vivid vitality.
Tips: Buy a bottle of locally produced rice wine with 5 degrees at the entrance of the village (west gate). It is sweet and very delicious. - Jixi Museum: Designed by Li Xinggang, the designer of the Bird’s Nest. The atrium has a feeling similar to the “county-level” Suzhou Museum. Following the signs on the ground and looking down one by one, landscapes, humanities, Huizhou merchants, local customs, Huizhou carvings, and Huizhou cuisine. A three-dimensional Jixi is displayed in front of you.
Tips: No reservation is required. Register on site. The visiting time can be adjusted according to your own schedule. Museum enthusiasts are recommended to stay for more than 2 hours.
Accommodation: If you are driving by yourself, it is recommended to stay in the county town. The accommodation conditions will be better. It only takes more than ten minutes by car to reach Renli and Longchuan.
Food: Huizhou cuisine, which is listed among the “Eight Major Cuisines”, originated from Jixi. If it is not a long holiday, you can have a meal at the China Huizhou Cuisine Museum and enjoy folk custom performances. During long holidays, the queues are too exaggerated. Huizhou cuisine restaurants generally serve food slowly. You can go to find a less crowded one on Hebin North Road nearby to eat.
The “Hongliu Huizhou Cuisine Restaurant” where we ate is quite good. Recommended dishes are “Hu Shi Yipin Pot” (pork stewed until it is not greasy at all. There is something special inside the tofu puffs. The soup is the best match for soaking rice.) and “Teppanyaki Stinky Tofu” (crispy on the outside and dense on the inside. The taste is a bit special).
The “Hongliu Huizhou Cuisine Restaurant” where we ate is quite good. Recommended dishes are “Hu Shi Yipin Pot” (pork stewed until it is not greasy at all. There is something special inside the tofu puffs. The soup is the best match for soaking rice.) and “Teppanyaki Stinky Tofu” (crispy on the outside and dense on the inside. The taste is a bit special).
[Transportation]
Bus: Take Bus No. 6 from Jixi North Station and it directly reaches Longchuan Ancient Town. The journey takes about 30 minutes.
Self-driving: Directly navigate to Jixi Longchuan Scenic Area.
Bus: Take Bus No. 6 from Jixi North Station and it directly reaches Longchuan Ancient Town. The journey takes about 30 minutes.
Self-driving: Directly navigate to Jixi Longchuan Scenic Area.
[Huizhou-Hangzhou Ancient Path]
🚩Starting point: Jiangnan No.1 Village Log Cabin Inn/Huizhou-Hangzhou Ancient Path Anhui entrance.
✅Passing through: Xisi Waterfall – Shicha Pavilion – Xiaoyao Reservoir – Huangmaopei – Single-plank Bridge – Xiaoyao Waterfall – Xiaxuetang – Shangxuetang – Lantian’ao – South Heavenly Gate.
🏁End point: Huizhou-Hangzhou Ancient Path Zhejiang entrance.
🚩Starting point: Jiangnan No.1 Village Log Cabin Inn/Huizhou-Hangzhou Ancient Path Anhui entrance.
✅Passing through: Xisi Waterfall – Shicha Pavilion – Xiaoyao Reservoir – Huangmaopei – Single-plank Bridge – Xiaoyao Waterfall – Xiaxuetang – Shangxuetang – Lantian’ao – South Heavenly Gate.
🏁End point: Huizhou-Hangzhou Ancient Path Zhejiang entrance.