What Xidi actually is
Xidi and Hongcun share a UNESCO World Heritage listing for their preserved Huizhou architecture and village layouts. Xidi is a compact walk through merchant houses and ancestral halls. Hongcun has a broader waterfront circuit around South Lake and Moon Pond, where shops, cafés and tour groups tend to cluster. Xidi’s main street has shops too, and the side lanes are a better place to slow down and look at the buildings.
Tickets, opening hours and entry rules
- Adult ticket and Hongcun bundles
- The operator publishes ¥104 for standard adult admission at Xidi. That ticket covers Xidi. A separate Xidi–Hongcun bundle has been offered in promotions. Check that the product names both villages and is valid on your dates.
- Daytime hours
- The operator’s English ticket guide lists 08:00–18:00. Ask the ticket office for the day’s last entry and house closing times if you plan to arrive late.
- Walk-up purchase and passport
- The operator lists a price for on-site purchase. Use the staffed ticket counter and bring your original passport if you are visiting from overseas. The operator lists passports as accepted proof of identity for concession checks. Check holiday booking rules before making the trip.
Sources Published prices · Operator’s ticket terms and hours · On-site ticket price · 2026 holiday bundle announcement
How to get to Xidi from Huangshan
| Starting point | Car or private driver | Public transport |
|---|---|---|
| Tangkou (汤口) · South Gate transfer center | 40–60 min. Arrange pickup at the transfer center if you’re coming off the mountain. | 1–1½ hr on the direct coach listed by the village operator. Check the day’s departures and whether the coach stops at Xidi before you descend. |
| Tunxi (屯溪) · central Huangshan City | about 70 min from town. | Allow 1¼–1½ hr for a Xidi-bound coach. Check the pickup point in 黄山长运出行 on WeChat or under 站点巴士 in DiDi. If a direct coach doesn’t fit, change at Yixian bus station. |
| Yixian county town (黟县县城) | About 8 km (5 mi) and roughly 15–20 min by taxi. | Take the Xidi bus from Yixian bus station (黟县汽车站). Budget 20–30 min for the ride and confirm the next departure at the station. |
If arriving by train at Yixian East (黟县东站), the operator estimates about 15 min on the village shuttle. The railway station and county bus station are separate stops.
Sources Village operator’s transport guide · Municipal bus listings · Tunxi driving estimate · Yixian county bus guide
The walking route: what to see in two hours
- Start at the Hu Wenguang Memorial Arch (胡文光刺史牌坊). The stone arch stands by the main entrance. Look at the carved panels and the way a Ming-era official’s rank is displayed at the village entrance.
- Follow the main lane to Jing’ai Hall (敬爱堂). At the Hu clan’s main ancestral hall, look up through the open light well and find the large character for filial piety. The scale of the hall gives a sense of the gatherings it was built to hold.
- Continue to Zhuimu Hall (追慕堂). A Hu family member built this smaller memorial hall in 1794 to honor his father and grandfather. Look at the ancestor displays and compare the room with the larger clan hall you just saw.
- Return through the side lanes. Look for stepped horse-head walls, brick carvings over doors and narrow water channels along the lanes. Add an open courtyard house if you have time.
Sources Village landmarks and lanes · Jing’ai Hall · Zhuimu Hall
Best time to visit
Before 9 a.m. is the best bet for quieter lanes and enough time to see the houses. At midday, expect more coach groups along the main lane and around the arch. After 4 p.m. suits a short lane walk in softer light. Confirm which interiors are still open before counting on a late visit.
Spring and autumn are good for a longer walk and a look at the fields around the village. Start early in summer for cooler streets, and visit in daylight in winter. Light rain is still worth it if the halls are open. Bring shoes with grip for the wet stone lanes. If heavy rain limits access to the houses, save the visit for another window.
Is Xidi worth it if you've already seen Hongcun?
Yes, if you like architecture and have two unhurried hours. After Hongcun’s waterfront, Xidi earns the extra stop for its clan halls, door carvings and side lanes. If you only have time for a quick photo stop or would have to cut your mountain day short, save Xidi for another trip.
If you’re spending the evening downtown, continue to Tunxi Old Street. The Yellow Mountain trip planner helps fit a village visit around your mountain days.
FAQ
Can I get a refund on a Xidi ticket?
The operator’s published standard ticket terms say tickets are non-refundable. Check the cancellation window on the specific ticket or bundle before paying, since online sellers can set different terms.
Do children need tickets?
The municipal guide lists free admission for children aged 6 or under, or 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) or shorter. Older children and teens may qualify for half-price admission. Bring proof of age and ask the ticket counter how it applies to your child.
Do I need a guide?
You can walk the village independently. A guide is worth considering if you want the stories behind the clan halls, the carvings and the symbols above the doors.
Can I take photos?
Follow posted signs at each house. Ask before photographing residents or private interiors, and check with staff before using flash indoors. Keep narrow lanes and doorways clear.
Ticket sources Operator’s standard ticket terms · Municipal concession guide