80% Fewer Visitors Than Hongcun! Is This Thousand-Year-Old Village Anhui's Hidden Gem?

Still squeezing into Hongcun and Xidi in Anhui? Here's a secret: deep in the mountains of Jingxian County lies Chaji Ancient Village—a "living museum of Ming and Qing architecture." Without the crowds of tourists, it offers more extensive ancient buildings than Hongcun and a stronger sense of everyday life. Every photo feels like a scene from a period film—truly the pinnacle of off-the-beaten-path travel! 🌿 Key highlights: Why is it worth visiting? ✔️ China's largest surviving Ming-Qing dynasty village: Once boasted "108 ancestral halls, 108 temples, and 108 bridges." Over 180 Ming and Qing structures remain, dwarfing most ancient villages! ✔️ More "authentic" than Hongcun: No bar streets or trendy shops—just grandmas washing vegetables by the stream, old dogs napping on stone slabs, and the scent of wood-fired cooking in the air. ✔️ Li Bai's poetic "hidden realm": The great poet once wrote here that it was "another world beyond the mortal realm." Walking along the Chaji River, you'll understand why he didn't want to leave! 🏡 Entering Chaji is like opening a living history book Over 600 years ago, Tang Dynasty official Cha Wei retired here, and the Cha family flourished, building this into a massive village known as "ten miles of Cha village, nine miles of smoke." Walking on the bluestone paths, push open any door: • Degong Hall: The village's only Yuan Dynasty building. The entrance has weathered 700 years, and though the carved bricks have faded, they possess a rugged "ancient flavor" missing in Ming-Qing buildings. • Erjia Ancestral Hall: The village's "beauty representative." The five-phoenix style entrance features incredibly detailed "three carvings" (brick, wood, and stone), with "Eight Immortals" under the eaves that look almost alive! • Zouma Building: A 500-year-old Ming Dynasty structure. The second-floor "beauty lean" was once young ladies' "photo spot." Pay 10 yuan to go upstairs for a view of the entire stone-paved lane and imagine ancient ladies watching the rain from the railings. • Honglou Bridge: This Ming Dynasty arch bridge has its own "cinematic filter." In the morning, mist reflects in the arch; at dusk, the sunset turns the bridge warm gold. Even the "Great River" TV series crew filmed here! 📸 Photography enthusiasts must see! These spots are legendary ✅ Third floor of Guangyuan Building (10 yuan): The village's best overlook. With a wide-angle lens, capture the Chaji River flowing through the village, with white walls and dark tiles like scattered sesame candy—guaranteed to be your best shot! ✅ Along Chaji River: Sit on any stone steps to photograph reflections, grandmas washing clothes, or boats gliding by—authentic lifestyle shots come easily. ✅ Waterside restaurant at sunset: When evening smoke rises, order a plate of river fish and take atmospheric portraits with the cooking fires as background—perfect! 💡 Outfit suggestions: Solid-color long dresses or Hanfu complement the setting perfectly. Avoid bright colors that steal focus. Bring an oil-paper umbrella for instant traditional style on rainy days! 🚗 Complete guide: How to enjoy it best? Route: South Gate → Fortune Bridge → Degong Hall → Erjia Ancestral Hall → Zouma Building → Airi Hall → Honglou Bridge → Gongbao Ancestral Hall. Allow 3 hours, walking and photographing at a leisurely pace. Transportation: • Self-driving: Navigate to "Chaji Ancient Village," 1 hour from Jingxian County. Consider visiting Peach Blossom Pool (18km away) on the same trip. • Public transport: Take the Chaji bus from Jingxian Bus Station, departing every 30 minutes, fare 15 yuan. Admission: Peak season 65 yuan (March-October), off-season 55 yuan, half-price for students! Accommodation: Strongly recommend staying in the village! "Time in Chaji Inn" is recommended—a courtyard converted from an old house with flowing water outside your window. For those on a budget, "Chaji Ancient Village Inn" offers good value. ❗ Why do we recommend Chaji? Because here, you won't see cookie-cutter souvenir shops or hear noisy vendors—only bamboo trays drying in autumn sun, elders weaving bamboo baskets, and cats lounging on ancestral hall doorsteps. It's not a packaged "Instagram hotspot" but a truly living ancient village. If you want to escape the crowds and hear the "echoes of time" on bluestone paths, Chaji will give you an "undisturbed Jiangnan dream." Before it becomes famous, pick a weekend to drink wild tea by the stream and listen to the wind passing through old ancestral halls—experience the slow pace of this "thousand-year-old village." Chaji