PLEASE NOTE: VILLAGECHINA IS NO LONGER RECEIVING GUESTS. WE ARE ACTIVELY SEEKING NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN MANAGING THE HOUSE. OUR TRUSTEES WOULD LIKE TO GIFT THE EXISTING ASSETS TO AN ORGANIZATION INTERESTED IN PRESERVING THE VILLAGE CULTURE AND ARCHITECTURE.
The following are examples of the tours we used to organize for international guest.
Historically the most prominent residence in the village, Zhong Xian Di, built in the late 17th century as the home of an official, will be your home while in Huang Cun. The two-story timber frame house has 25 bedrooms arranged around three courtyards. Most rooms have been preserved in their original structure and refurnished with traditional beds and cabinets, helping create an authentic experience for our guests. While you are here, you will enjoy a variety of mostly vegetarian Huizhou cuisine, prepared in a traditional manner, with organic local produce, in Zhong Xian Di's traditional man-powered kitchen. All of our guests have given their 2 thumbs up for our cuisine.
The residence, however, is not by any means luxurious. Visitors should know that the rooms are generally small and the walls are thin. The shower stalls and toilettes are located separately outside the rooms in the courtyard within the residence. This is to ensure that we do not destroy the original setup of this 300-year-old residence and that our guests enjoy the unique experience of living in this special house. Right outside the doorstep of Zhong Xian Di you will discover the daily life of the village: rice paddies, vegetable fields, terraced tea bushes, water buffaloes and the vital streams that flow throughout. In the center of Huang Cun, steps from Zhong Xian Di, is Jin Shi Di, a grand, 1531 Ming dynasty shrine in honor of a high official who was born in this special village.
Village China is an experience, not a program or a tour. We do not have formally guided tours with tour guide with little group flags. Our local bilingual coordinator emphasizes the experience of living in the house and village and participate in whatever projects that are happening in the village without interrupting the villager's regular schedule. The house manager and staffs, while experienced in receiving visitors, are not tourism professionals but locals who live around the area. Huangcun's location and small size allows visitors to see an ambience and lifestyle as close to the ancient agricultural society as today's fast development in China allows. We welcome and introduce the visitor to the village, the local residents and the life styles, activities and customs of Huang Cun. We will outline a most feasible schedule of activities according to the time of the year you are visiting.
The following is just a sample of a typical short student tour. We have had group tours from 1 day to 7 days and can arrange stays for up to 10 days with activities that include traveling to surrounding villages and Yellow mountains.
A two day, two night stay in Zhong Xian Di will offer the opportunity to be fully immersed vin the daily life and activities in Huang Cun. Guests will stay in a restored 250 year old, three courtyard residence originally built to house an official and his extended family.
The rooms are outfitted simply but in a very traditional, local village manner with antique Chinese canopy beds. Modern shared bathroom facilities are located with in the courtyards. Guests will enjoy the local cuisine and are encouraged to participate in meal preparation.
Our sample itinerary below is based on arrival into the Tunxi airport in the evening of day one and departure the evening of day three. However, we can easily accommodate other schedules and are happy to work with you for special arrangements. Please also note that depending on the season, the agricultural activities might be different. Please check with us before you make your schedule
Day One
Guests will arrive at Zhong Xian Di in the evening. Light snacks and a welcome tea will be served as guests settle into their rooms. There will be time to explore the house and relax before retiring.
Day Two
After a traditional Chinese breakfast, we will explore the village of Huang Cun. Strolling through the center of the village and then moving further out into the surrounding fields you will be exposed to all of the rich patterns of life in the village. Depending upon the time of your visit, you can participate in a variety of daily agricultural activities including tea picking, rice cultivation, and planting or harvest vegetables with a local family. However, keep in mind this activity is only available at the right time of the year and with the permission of the villagers, so schedule will vary.
Hikes can be arranged into the surrounding fields, hills and nearby villages for those interested in exploring the countryside. The landscape offers unparalleled opportunities for photographers.
Lunch is served in Zhong Xian Di and will include local Huizhou dishes.
The afternoon offers the opportunity to learn about the rural Chinese education system. A visit to the primary school includes discussion with the teachers and instructing the students in an English class. Time is set aside to speak with the village chief about local governance. This meeting might be only of interest to certain groups, so is optional and can be replaced with other activities.
The late afternoon allows time to relax or explore the village environs on your own.
Dinner is served in Zhong Xian Di.
The evening can include optional activities of a music performance or fire works display.
Day Three
The morning is spent learning about the traditional Huizhou cuisine and learning to make one or two regional specialties. This hands on session allows you to work side by side in the Zhong Xian Di kitchen.
Lunch at Zhong Xian Di features dishes prepared during the morning session.
The afternoon allows for an exploration of traditional regional craft. Watch as bamboo is transformed into baskets and sturdy furniture. Traditional wood carpentry and carving of the region will also be demonstrated. Guests are invited to participate in all of these programs. As local artists are becoming harder and harder to locate, sometimes we replace this art show with community service project such as cleaning the river stream or teaching students in local elementary school.
After a final meal in Zhong Xian Di, guests will travel to the Tunxi airport for an evening flight.
Bamboo artwork making
Cooking
Classroom teaching
Hiking
Mahjong
Tea picking
Rice cultivation
Architectural surveying
Trips to nearby village, temple or mountain sights
River stream cleaning
Participation in Village China Project current service projects
Village China Experience has worked with trip leaders in the past to create a customized visit of various duration and themes. Costs arecalculated in accordance with the visitors' desired length of stay, number of participants and number of organized activities. The typical cost range is 600 to 700 rmb per person per day for groups above 8 people. Further discounts are available for groups above 20 and stays longer than 5 days.
Zhong Xian Di Home | Travel Package | Activities | Customized Visits