- For the people of modern times, Huizhou is an ancient geographic concept. Originally named Xin'an or Shezhou, it was renamed Huizhou in 1121 and kept the same name during the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, governing "one prefecture and six counties" (apart from Wuyuan which belongs to Jiangxi, other areas are all governed by today's Anhui Province). In the first year of the Republic of China (1912), the region was abolished as a prefectural administrative region and set as a county. Since then Huizhou has no longer existed as a geographic concept. The ancient Huizhou is known for its prosperous culture and numerous talents. Especially during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the rising of Huizhou merchants greatly promoted the development of local culture. The "Hui studies" which focuses on the study of Huizhou's history and culture has become the third largest local studies after "Dunhuang studies" and "Tibetology".
- Wuyuan, an attractive scenic spot with rich culture and a picturesque landscape, lies at the northeast of Jiangxi Province. It is known as the hometown of scholars and the hometown of tea, and is honored as the "Most Beautiful Countryside in China".
Most Beautiful Countryside in China
- Integrated with the beautiful sceneries of all famous mountains in China, Mountain Huangshan is a miracle of the nature, famous for four wonders: strange pine trees, grotesque rocks, cloud sea, and hot spring.
Natural Scenery
- The Wenfeng Tower, commonly called Shuikou Tower, was built in the 23rd year of Jiajing Period (1544). It is a seven-storey hexagonal tower measuring 67 meters high. With a spiral stairway, the tourists can climb up the tower along the stairs, overlooking the mists and clouds of the Yellow Mountain afar and the panorama of the ancient town nearby.
Historical Site
- Folk Residence
As is decorated with white walls and black tiles, Huizhou Folk Residence is simple and elegant. Reflected on the surface of a clear pool, it looks as if it were a beautiful traditional Chinese painting.
The time-honored folk residences in Xidi and Hongcun are preserved well and are typical of Huizhou Folk Residence. Huizhou Folk Residence was added on the World Heritage List in 2000.
- Enjoying the fame of "Kingdom of Rites", ancient Huizhou was in possession of over 1000 monumental archways, most of which were obliged by emperors. There are presently more than 100 monumental archways of various configurations in Huizhou, thus it is dubbed as "Hometown of Monumental Archways".
Hometown of Monumental Archways
- In ancient Huizhou, the wedding of a couple could be divided into four stages: matchmaking, engagement, wedding ceremony, and complete marriage. In general, there were nine procedures: matchmaking, sending betrothal gift, selecting wedding day, carrying dowry to the groom's house, removing fine hair on the bride's forehead with threads, receiving the bride, the bride and groom performing formal bows, teasing the bride on wedding night, and the bride and groom visiting the bride's parents. Only after the above stated steps and procedures can a wedding be called "formal wedding".
Marriage in Huizhou
- Hui Cuisine, originating from Shexian during the Southern Song Dynasty, is one of the Eight Cuisines of China. Hui Cuisine is Anhui style of cooking, featuring common usage of ham to diversify taste and crystal sugar to increase freshness, apt at roasting and pot-roast, with heat control being attached with importance. Famous flavored dishes include stewed hen with stone fungus, smoked pork, mung bean battercake and farfalle noodles.
