Mountain views, tigers and village charm await in Anhui

While the magnificent peaks stretching endlessly and pretty views of the Huangshan Mountains attract many travelers, one can also enjoy ancient villages, rebuilt old houses and natural scenery by visiting the surrounding areas, such as Yixian county and scenic spots at the foot of the mountains.

In 2000, the World Heritage Committee inscribed Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui - Xidi and Hongcun - on the World Heritage List, due to their well-preserved Hui-style architecture. Many of the structures were built between the 14th and 20th centuries.

The two traditional villages in Yixian boast elegant waterways and gardens, tranquil alleyways, ancient archways and ancestral halls. It's not uncommon to see people carefully painting the beautiful scenery there, seated on small stools in front of drawing boards and palettes.