Hongcun and Xidi are listed together as World Heritage for a reason: they are the best preserved examples of the settlement style that Hui merchants built across southern Anhui. Visiting both in a single day is entirely feasible, since they lie within a short drive of each other in Yi County, and a shared one day tour is the cheapest and simplest way to do it. The trip includes transport from Tunxi and a guide, who will thread the two villages into a coherent story about trade, family and landscape.
Starting at one village and finishing at the other gives a pleasing contrast. Xidi tends to be the more architectural, with its stone lanes, memorial archway and carefully carved merchant houses. Hongcun is the more visual, with its crescent pond, reflections and canal-lined lanes. Seeing them together shows how the same culture produced two distinct settlements, one shaped by a stream and the other by an ingenious water system.
A group day carries trade-offs. You will have a fixed amount of time in each village, usually a couple of hours, and tours run when most people visit, which means crowds. The upside is price and simplicity. If you prefer a quieter pace, a private tour or an overnight stay in one of the villages lets you see them at dawn or dusk. For travelers on a budget or with limited time, though, the group day is hard to beat.
What to look for is worth thinking about beforehand. In Xidi, look for the Ming memorial archway, the carved doorways and the surviving courtyards. In Hongcun, walk around the pond, follow the canal through the village and visit one or two of the grand merchant halls. Throughout, watch for the brick, stone and wood sculpture over doors and windows, which tells stories of virtue and prosperity. A guide can help you read these.
Practical reminders
Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring a hat or umbrella, and take small cash or mobile payment for snacks. Lunch is often included or recommended at a local restaurant serving Hui dishes, and trying a few is part of the experience. Check what the ticket covers, because village entry fees sometimes sit outside the tour price. Ask about the meeting point and return time, as tours usually leave early and return late afternoon.
Think about how to use your free time well. In each village, resist the temptation to follow the group down the main lane. Instead, take a side street, look for the carved details above doorways, and sit by the water for a few minutes. Ask the guide at the start for recommended spots and meeting times, so that you make the most of the hours you have.
A small umbrella is useful for sun and rain alike, and a spare phone battery helps if you take many photographs. Bring a light snack in case lunch is late or the village cafes are busy.
If you can, arrange the evening before so that you wake rested, since the departure is early. Ask whether the group splits into smaller walking parties inside the villages, because a smaller party hears the guide better.
What to expect
The experience
A shared guided day trip from Tunxi to both Xidi and Hongcun, with transport, free time in each village and a guide.
Best time
Weekdays outside holidays. Spring for blossoms and green, autumn for clear light.
How long
Full day
Tips
Confirm whether entry fees are included, wear comfortable shoes and use free time to leave the busiest lanes.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Budget travelers and first-timers who want both villages in one easy day.
- Families
- Simple and affordable; children enjoy the lanes and canals but the day is long.
- Couples
- Affordable and scenic, though a private or overnight option is more romantic.
- Pair with
- A mountain day on Huangshan, and dinner on Tunxi Old Street.
- Time needed
- One full day.
Good questions
Which villages are covered?+
Xidi and Hongcun, both UNESCO listed.
Are entry tickets included?+
Check the inclusions when you book.
How long do I get in each village?+
Usually a couple of hours each, depending on the operator.
Is lunch included?+
Often a local meal is arranged; confirm with the operator.
Is this better than a private tour?+
It is cheaper and simpler, but less flexible and usually busier.