A stick of Huizhou ink and two ancient villages｜Slow living in Huizhou

I've always believed that traveling doesn't necessarily mean going far. Sometimes, simply changing the pace and quietly stepping into a picturesque scene is enough to create unforgettable memories. On this trip to Huangshan, what touched me the most wasn't the sunrise at the mountain peak, but the two ancient Huizhou villages - Xidi and Hongcun. Instead of rushing through the itinerary or skimming the surface, I chose to stay overnight in Xidi, savoring the profound and gentle charm of Huizhou in the light of dawn and dusk. 📍 Hongcun: The serene reflections by Moon Pond As you step into the village entrance, the Huizhou-style architecture feels like a time corridor, spanning hundreds of years. The Moon Pond in the village, a crescent-shaped water body, quietly reflects the white walls and gray tiles, making it hard to distinguish between the reflection and reality. 👉 Tip: Avoid the crowds around noon; the best time to visit is before 9:00 AM. 🎟 Ticket price: Approximately ¥104, with half-price discounts for senior citizens. 📸 Recommended photo spots: The stone steps on the west bank of Moon Pond, the arch bridge next to Nanhu Academy, and the "Nanhu Reflection Spot" favored by painters. 📍 Xidi: The essence of Huizhou, calm and scholarly. Upon entering the ancient village, a sense of tranquility fills the air. Without the noise of tour groups, strolling through the winding alleys, you can look up to see the upturned eaves and look down to find the time-polished smoothness of the bluestone paths. The village is full of details worth savoring slowly: intricately carved door lintels, the faded family mottos on the walls of century-old ancestral halls, and meaningful couplets. 👉 Xidi is compact yet exquisite; plan to spend 2–3 hours exploring at a leisurely pace. 📌 Staying overnight in the village allows you to experience the unique tranquility of Xidi after the day visitors leave. 📸 Photo recommendations: Hu Wenguang Archway, the entrance of Dafu Di, and the village entrance with rice fields and morning mist as the backdrop. 🌿 No rushing, no checklists, no chasing trendy cafes—just focusing on the "sense of life" in a place, giving your body and emotions some breathing space. The pace of these two villages is just right: small bridges and flowing water, bluestone alleys, cooking smoke at sunset, and old houses and human warmth quietly settled by time and years. ✒️ Written on an afternoon after returning from Huizhou.