China Memories: 西递 Xidi Historic Village, Anhui Province
My first year of working in China was coming to an end. CCDI Group had looked after me very well. They even sponsored a team building holiday for the whole International Department (and most other departments had their own trips too). After much discussion, the trip was planned to visit 黄山 Huangshan, the Yellow Mountain, in Anhui Province. Nearby there are a couple of historic villages, so we also made a plan to visit to 西递 Xidi.
Ten years ago the difference between Shanghai, one of the most modern and developed cities in the world, and the surrounding provinces was clearly visible. We stayed in a low rise hotel with an old-time charm about it. Nearby the town was just beginning to be developed with the hulking concrete shells of future apartments looming overhead. On the ground though donkeys still trotted through the town pulling carts. Breakfast was local: mantou and boiled eggs, salty preserved vegetables and rice soup. No coffee. The tourist bus to 西递 Xidi was a bumpy 20 minutes.
The historic village dates from the Song dynasty, almost 1000 years ago. The town has many historic buildings dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties. These buildings follow the Hui style: whitewashed walls contrast with grey bricks and the black tiles in the horse-head walls (traditional fire separation). Pure, fresh and simple. The homes of wealthy merchants also include intricate carvings in wood and stone, and memorial arches remember significant events and local achievements.
It was a fascinating trip, and I took far too many photographs...
旷古斋 Kuanggu House was built by a famous scholar in 1662.
惇仁堂 Dunren Hall was built around a large "mother" courtyard for improved ventilation and light in 1722. The side rooms also have smaller "son" courtyards.
Photos taken by the Author, 2 November 2011.