Huizhou Ancient City
徽州古城（歙县）
One of China's four ancient cities, and the seat of the Huizhou prefectural government. The Xuguo Memorial Archway, the Huizhou Prefectural Government Office and Doushan Street are the starting point for understanding the Huizhou merchants and their culture.
The Huizhou Ancient City lies in the county seat of She County. It was first built in the Qin dynasty and has served as the seat of Huizhou Prefecture since the Tang dynasty. Together with Langzhong, Pingyao and Lijiang, it is known as one of the four best-preserved ancient cities in China.
Highlights include the Xuguo Memorial Archway (1584), the only eight-column memorial archway in China, built by the Wanli Emperor of the Ming dynasty in honour of Grand Secretary Xu Guo. Also here is the Huizhou Prefectural Government Office, a complex rebuilt to Ming-dynasty standards with an exhibition on yamen culture. The South and East Watchtowers stand nearby. Doushan Street, the old street where the homes of wealthy Huizhou merchants are concentrated, is another highlight. Visitors can also see the Tao Xingzhi Memorial Hall, and the Yuliang Weir, an ancient Tang-dynasty dam on the Lianjiang River south of the old city, often called 'the Dujiangyan of Jiangnan'. The Yuliang Weir requires a separate trip.
The old city itself is free to enter. Paid sites such as the Huizhou Prefectural Government Office cost about RMB 100 in total. The combined ticket covers the area around the Xuguo Memorial Archway, and you can choose whether you need it. Within the old city, workshops for intangible cultural heritage crafts such as Hui ink and She inkstones are open to visitors.
Suggested route: Yanghe Gate, Xuguo Memorial Archway, the Prefectural Government Office, Doushan Street and the South Watchtower, about 2 hours. From there, take a taxi to the Yuliang Weir (about 15 minutes) to see the old dam and the old street nearby.
Getting there: She County North Railway Station is about 6 km from the old city. Tunxi to She County takes about 30 minutes by car. The old city can be combined in one day with the Tangyu Archway Group and the Xin'an River Scenic Gallery.
Tips: many residents still live in the old city, so please do not enter private homes. Prices for She inkstones and Hui ink vary widely, so compare carefully before buying.
Opening hours
Old town open all day; Huizhou Prefectural Yamen 08:00–17:30
Nearby sights
- Yuliang Dam & Ancient Street
- Xiongcun Village
- Bao Family Garden
- Tangyue Memorial Archways
- Maihua Fishing Village
- Tangmo Village
- Huashan Mysterious Grottoes
- Qiankou Ancient Residences