Huangshan Culture

uangshan (黄山), formerly known as Yishan (黟山), was officially renamed “Huangshan” in 747 AD during the Tang Dynasty by imperial decree of Emperor Xuanzong. During the Qin Dynasty, Yi County (黟县) and She County (歙县) were established; in the Sui and Tang periods the area became Shezhou (歙州), and during the Northern Song Dynasty it was formally named Huizhou (徽州), a name that remained in use for nearly a thousand years.

The region is the birthplace of Huizhou Culture (徽州文化), one of China's three most influential regional cultures. Its foundation rests on seven pillars: Huizhou Architecture, Huizhou Merchants, Huizhou Cuisine, Huizhou Opera, Hui Ink and She Inkstone, Clan Traditions, and the Philosophy of Scholarship and Family Education.

Cultural Landscape Across Huangshan

She County (歙县) serves as the historic seat of ancient Huizhou Prefecture, the cultural heart of the region, and a National Historic and Cultural City.

Yi County (黟县) is home to the UNESCO World Heritage villages of Xidi (西递) and Hongcun (宏村), representing the finest examples of traditional Huizhou residential architecture.

Tunxi District (屯溪区) functions as the modern gateway to Huizhou culture, featuring Tunxi Old Street (屯溪老街) and the region's most concentrated collection of Huizhou cuisine.

Huizhou District (徽州区) contains dense clusters of historic architecture, including Chengkan (呈坎), Qiankou (潜口), and Tangmo (唐模).

Xiuning County (休宁县) is renowned for Taoist culture centered on Mount Qiyun (齐云山), imperial examination traditions, and the intangible heritage of Wucheng Dried Tofu (五城茶干).

Qimen County (祁门县) is famous for Qimen Black Tea (祁门红茶), Guniujiang (牯牛降) ecological landscapes, and the ancient Mulian Opera (目连戏).

Huangshan District (黄山区) encompasses the main peaks of Huangshan Mountain, Taiping Lake (太平湖), Xuanyuan cultural traditions, and diverse ethnic folk customs.

Core Cultural Highlights of Huangshan

Intangible Cultural Heritage

Huangshan possesses one of the richest intangible cultural heritage systems in Anhui Province, including five UNESCO-recognized heritage items, twenty-four national-level items, seventy-eight provincial-level items, and one hundred forty-eight municipal-level heritage traditions.

UNESCO-Level Intangible Cultural Heritage

• Traditional Huizhou Residential Construction Techniques (徽派传统民居营造技艺)
• Cheng Dawei Abacus Calculation Method (程大位珠算法)
• Huangshan Maofeng Tea Processing Technique (黄山毛峰制作技艺)
• Taiping Houkui Tea Processing Technique (太平猴魁制作技艺)
• Qimen Black Tea Processing Technique (祁门红茶制作技艺)

Representative National Intangible Heritage

• Huizhou Mao Tofu Making Technique (徽州毛豆腐制作技艺)
• Huizhou Cuisine Cooking Techniques (徽菜烹饪技艺)
• She Inkstone Craftsmanship (歙砚制作技艺)
• Hui Ink Craftsmanship (徽墨制作技艺)
• Huizhou Lacquerware Decoration Techniques (徽州漆器髹饰技艺)
• Huizhou Bamboo, Wood and Stone Carving Arts (徽州竹雕、木雕、石雕)
• Mulian Opera (目连戏)
• Wangmantian Fish Lantern Festival (汪满田鱼灯)
• Zhong Kui Dance Ritual (跳钟馗)
• Xuanyuan Chariot Festival (轩辕车会)

Traditional Villages of Huangshan

Huangshan possesses one of the highest concentrations of traditional villages in China. The region contains 111 officially recognized Chinese Traditional Villages, while She County alone has more than 160 historic settlements.

UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Villages

Hongcun Ancient Village (宏村)

Known as the "Village in a Chinese Painting," Hongcun is famous for its ox-shaped water system, Moon Pond (月沼), South Lake (南湖), and its appearance in the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Xidi Ancient Village (西递)

Often called the "Museum of Ming and Qing Residential Architecture," Xidi preserves 137 traditional residences featuring iconic horse-head walls, stone carvings, and elegant ancestral halls.

Representative Traditional Villages

Chengkan Village (呈坎村)

Known as the "No.1 Village South of the Yangtze River," Chengkan is famous for its Bagua-inspired water system, Baolun Pavilion (宝纶阁), and Luodongshu Ancestral Hall (罗东舒祠).

Yuliang Village (渔梁村)

Often called the "First Water Wharf of Huizhou," the village is known for Yuliang Dam (渔梁坝) and its distinctive Fish Scale Street.

Tangyue Village (棠樾村)

Home to the famous Tangyue Memorial Archways (棠樾牌坊群) and Bao Family Garden (鲍家花园), showcasing Confucian values of loyalty, filial piety, and virtue.

Tangmo Village (唐模村)

A classic example of Huizhou rural landscape design, featuring water-street scenery, traditional gardens, and well-preserved village planning.

Historic Sites and Monuments

National Key Cultural Relics Protection Sites

Xuguo Stone Archway (许国石坊)

Located in She County, this Ming Dynasty monument is often called the "Oriental Arc de Triomphe." It is China's only surviving eight-column memorial archway.

Yuliang Dam (渔梁坝)

Constructed during the Tang Dynasty, it is considered the "No.1 Ancient Dam in Jiangnan" and remains an outstanding example of traditional hydraulic engineering.

Qiankou Ancient Residences (潜口民宅)

A living museum of Ming Dynasty architecture featuring ten carefully relocated and preserved Huizhou residences.

Luodongshu Ancestral Hall (罗东舒祠)

Located in Chengkan, it is regarded as the "Finest Ancestral Hall in Jiangnan" and a masterpiece of Ming Dynasty clan architecture.

Cheng Family Residences (程氏三宅)

Situated in Tunxi, these residences showcase the celebrated "Three Carvings" of Huizhou architecture: wood carving, brick carving, and stone carving.

Huangshan Cliff Inscriptions (黄山摩崖石刻)

More than 12,000 inscriptions dating from the Tang Dynasty to modern times are scattered throughout Huangshan Mountain, representing a unique fusion of landscape and calligraphy.

Ethnic Culture in Huangshan

Although over 99% of the population is Han Chinese, Huangshan is home to approximately fifty ethnic minority groups, with the She, Hui, Dong, Miao, and Yi communities being the most visible.

She Ethnic Culture (畲族)

The primary settlement area is Jinchuan Township (金川乡) in She County, the only officially recognized She ethnic township in Anhui Province.

Cultural Features

Traditional Dress

Phoenix-pattern costumes, embroidered headscarves, and silver ornaments.

Folk Arts

She mountain songs, ribbon dances, and bamboo-pole dances.

Festivals

The Third Day of the Third Lunar Month Festival (三月三), ancestor worship ceremonies, and traditional courtship singing.

Cuisine

Black rice (乌米饭), cured pork, and bamboo-tube rice.

Hui Ethnic Culture (回族)

The Hui population is mainly concentrated in Tunxi District, Huicheng Town (徽城镇), and Biyang Town (碧阳镇).

Cultural Features

Mosques, Islamic festivals such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, and halal specialties including beef pot stickers and mutton soup.

Other Ethnic Traditions

Dong Bamboo-Pole Dance (侗族竹竿舞)

Performed in Wushi Town (乌石镇) of Huangshan District during local festivals and cultural celebrations.

Miao and Yi Song-and-Dance Traditions

Found in parts of Qimen and Xiuning counties, these traditions were introduced through historical migration and remain part of local cultural performances.

Cultural Highlights by Region

She County (歙县) — The Heart of Huizhou Culture

Keywords: Ancient Prefecture, Archways, Hui Ink, She Inkstone, Fish Lanterns

Must-see attractions include Huizhou Ancient City (徽州古城), Xuguo Stone Archway (许国石坊), Yuliang Dam (渔梁坝), Tangyue Memorial Archways (棠樾牌坊群), Wangmantian Fish Lantern Festival (汪满田鱼灯), and Jinchuan She Ethnic Township (金川畲族乡).

Yi County (黟县) — Kingdom of Ancient Villages

Keywords: Xidi, Hongcun, UNESCO Heritage, Horse-Head Walls, Wood Carving

Key sites include Xidi Ancient Village (西递古村), Hongcun Ancient Village (宏村古村), Nanping Village (南屏古村), and Pingshan Village (屏山古村).

Huizhou District (徽州区) — Museum of Ancient Architecture

Keywords: Chengkan Bagua Village, Tangmo, Qiankou Residences

Highlights include Chengkan (呈坎), Qiankou Ancient Residences (潜口民宅), Tangmo Village (唐模村), and Xixinan Village (西溪南古村).

Tunxi District (屯溪区) — Gateway to Huizhou Culture

Keywords: Old Street, Huizhou Cuisine, Cheng Family Residences

Must-see attractions include Tunxi Old Street (屯溪老街), Liyang in Lane (黎阳 in 巷), Cheng Family Residences (程氏三宅), and Dai Zhen Memorial Hall (戴震纪念馆).

Xiuning County (休宁县) — Taoism, Scholars and Tea

Keywords: Mount Qiyun, Imperial Examination Culture, Wucheng Dried Tofu

Highlights include Mount Qiyun (齐云山), Wucheng Old Street (五城老街), Mulihong Village (木梨硔), and the Top Scholar Museum (状元博物馆).

Qimen County (祁门县) — Tea Culture and Ecological Heritage

Keywords: Qimen Black Tea, Mulian Opera, Guniujiang

Major attractions include Guniujiang Scenic Area (牯牛降), Qimen Black Tea Museum (祁红博物馆), Mulian Opera performances, and Zhukou Ancient Village (渚口古村).

Huangshan District (黄山区) — Mountains, Legends and Folk Traditions

Keywords: Huangshan Mountain, Taiping Lake, Xuanyuan Chariot Festival

Must-see attractions include Huangshan Scenic Area (黄山风景区), Taiping Lake (太平湖), Xuanyuan Chariot Festival performances (轩辕车会), and bamboo-pole dances in Wushi Town (乌石镇).

Huangshan Cultural Travel Guide (Yaso Trip)

Best Seasons for Cultural Exploration

Spring (March–May) brings misty ancient villages, rapeseed flower fields, fish lantern festivals, and the She ethnic Third-Month Festival.

Autumn (September–November) is ideal for traditional harvest scenes, wood-carving workshops, scholar culture festivals, and Qimen tea picking.

Winter (December–February) offers Zhong Kui dances, Mulian Opera performances, traditional village New Year celebrations, and Huizhou Opera shows.

Classic 5-Day Cultural Heritage Route

Day 1 — Tunxi: Introduction to Huizhou Culture

Explore Tunxi Old Street (屯溪老街), visit Hui Ink and She Inkstone workshops, tour Cheng Family Residences (程氏三宅), and enjoy Huizhou opera and night views at Liyang in Lane (黎阳 in 巷).

Day 2 — She County: Government Heritage and Intangible Culture

Visit Huizhou Ancient City (徽州古城), Xuguo Stone Archway (许国石坊), Yuliang Dam (渔梁坝), and participate in Wangmantian Fish Lantern (汪满田鱼灯) heritage experiences.

Day 3 — Yi County: UNESCO World Heritage Villages

Explore Hongcun (宏村) and Xidi (西递), admire traditional wood carvings, ancestral halls, lakeside landscapes, and experience evening Huizhou opera performances.

Day 4 — Huizhou District: Architectural Treasures

Visit Chengkan (呈坎), Baolun Pavilion (宝纶阁), Luodongshu Ancestral Hall (罗东舒祠), Qiankou Ancient Residences (潜口民宅), and Tangmo Water Street (唐模水街).

Day 5 — Xiuning and Qimen: Taoism, Tea and Nature

Tour Mount Qiyun (齐云山), experience Taoist culture, visit the Qimen Black Tea Museum (祁红博物馆), and participate in traditional tea-making activities before departure.

Essential Cultural Experiences

Intangible Heritage Workshops

Experience Hui Ink decoration, She Inkstone carving, Huizhou bamboo carving, and Mao Tofu making.

Traditional Folk Activities

Join Wangmantian Fish Lantern parades, Xidi embroidered-ball ceremonies, She ethnic bamboo-pole dances, and Zhong Kui ritual performances.

Architectural Study Tours

Learn about the famous Three Carvings of Huizhou architecture, horse-head wall engineering, and ancestral hall traditions.

Traditional Performing Arts

Watch Huizhou Opera (徽剧), Mulian Opera (目连戏), and Nuo Dance (傩舞) performances.

Travel Tips

For ancient village visits, avoid peak group-tour hours between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. Early morning and late afternoon provide the best light for photography and a quieter atmosphere.

For intangible heritage activities, choose official heritage workshops or recognized master artisans to ensure authentic experiences and avoid low-quality imitations.

Hiring a licensed Huizhou cultural guide can greatly enhance understanding of local architecture, customs, clan traditions, and historical stories.

For ethnic culture experiences, contact Jinchuan She Ethnic Township (金川畲族乡) or Wushi Town (乌石镇) in advance to arrange village visits, cultural performances, and family-hosted experiences.