Cuandixia Village is a centuries-old village in the mountains located in Zhaitang Town, Mentougou District, about 90 kilometers (31.3 miles) from downtown Beijing. It's a wonderful slice of life in an old rural village. Though still relatively unknown, it is making a push to attract tourists to support townspeople. It makes a great day trip from Beijing.
Overview of Cuandixia
It has a history of about 400 years and preserves more than 70 courtyards with approximately 500 rooms which were built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). This ancient mountain village, the best preserved in China, covers an area of about 10,000 square meters (2.5 acres) and is renowned as the 'Potala Palace' of the Beijing area.
Houses & People of Cuandixia Village
The village, surrounded by mountains, stands on the northern gentle slope of the hills and, having being built in harmony with the terrain of the mountains, and it looks like a castle or a mountain city. A winding and rugged lane built from many oddly-shaped stones, winds its way from east to west and divides the village into two groups. There are mainly quadrangle dwellings and a few courtyards with houses on three sides. The houses, which are in good order, have delicate gate piers as well as distinctive screen walls and, along with the stone, wood and brick carvings, reflect our ancient Chinese culture.
Until now, only the Han family lived here. It is said that the ancestors of the village migrated from Shanxi Province during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty. The character 'cuan' has the meaning of a stove and the villagers named it 'cuandixia' with the implication being, of a shelter to keep away the severe cold as well as the scourge of war. In the Qing Dynasty, it was a distributing center for businessmen and goods, so it was very prosperous during that time. Moreover, on the walls, remain the maxims of managing family, inscriptions of the Ming and Qing Dynasties as well as the slogans of Anti-Japanese War period.
Attractiveness of Cuandixia
The village belongs to the Qingshui River Valley, thus, the grass is lush and trees are luxuriant. Walking in the village, visitors will feel they have entered an ideal world. It is also a natural place to make films and TV plays. The farmers of Cuandixia Village keep in step with the times and they exploit the idea of folk-custom tourism to welcome tourists home and abroad. At evening, there are varied amusements, such as outdoor movies and campfire parties.
A Photographer's Paradise
The village is faintly reminiscent of Eze Village on the French Riviera. It is colorful, steep and stone. Looking up from the entrance gate, the massive stone retaining walls for the higher homes give the village a fortress-like appearance. Stern and forbidding. But the appearance can be misleading. Flower pots line the walkways and entrances to the stone and concrete homes, each with a small courtyard. Ears of corn hang drying from the rafters. Butterflies flit among the bright red hollyhocks growing up against a wall. Sayings of Chairman Mao Zedong, painted decades ago, can still be seen on some walls.
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