Cuandixia Village
Situated about 90 kilometers from downtown Beijing, Cuandixia Village (爨底下村) is well-known for its 500 well-preserved quadrangle dwellings in the possession of over 70 families, which can date back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. It’s referred to as the Potala Palace in Beijing. The construction of these antique dwellings integrates tile carving, stone carving, and wood carving, with elaborately carved gate piers, rational layouts, unique features, and various shapes. Cuandixia Village marks the first time that a relatively well-preserved ancient architectural complex has been discovered in China. Every year, its peaceful tranquility, distinctive architecture, abundant cultural relics, and picturesque natural landscape attract an increasing number of tourists there. It’s also a paradise for photographers and shutterbugs for its unique natural beauty. About accommodation, the local villagers are very content to receive you and maybe tell you some history and culture about this ancient village.
Facts about Cuandixia Village
Located in the Valley of Jingxi Mountain in the west of Beijing, Cuandixia Village covers an area of 5.3 square kilometers, with an elevation of 650 meters above sea level. It enjoys a monsoon climate of medium latitudes, with an annual average temperature of 10.1℃ At present, there are 29 families and 93 villagers altogether. Now, Cuandixia Village is a state-level unit for relic protection, which records and witnesses the historical development.
What to See in Cuandixia Village
Cuandixia Village is of great tourism value. Of course, the most significant ones are these ancient historical quadrangle dwellings in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Besides, it also features some historical relics, including ancient grind, ancient wells, and some ancient temples, such as Quan Cong Temple the symbol of the god of wealth, the Temple of Goddess praying for children, and the Buddhist Temple blessing people.
These years, Cuandixia Village vigorously develops folk-custom tourism, such as farmhouse enjoyment which is flourishing in the village. Local villagers are quite hospitable to travelers and you can go to a farmhouse to enjoy an authentic local dish and learn about folk customs while talking with the host. Besides, Cuandixia Village is also a film base and the base for traditional education in the west of Beijing.
Surrounded by mountains and verdant trees, the natural scenery of the village is just like a diamond in the rough, where you can appreciate the vast expanse of terraced fields, Chinese herbaceous peonies, various flowers, running brook, a flock of sheep, and a colony of bees. In the northeast of Cuandixia Village, there is a mountain named Mount Miaofeng, which is dangerously steep and features layer upon layer of peaks and knolls. Its main peak is 1,291 meters above sea level. Mount Miaofeng boasts amazing natural landscapes, such as wondrous pines, grotesque rocks, a sea of clouds, waterfalls, red leaves, a karst cave, and boundless roses in full bloom in early summer.
Board and Lodging
It’s relatively cheap for you to get accommodation and have meals in Cuandixia Village. It approximately costs 50 yuan for 3 or 4 persons to have farmhouse dishes, such as stewed small fish, baked corn or millet cakes on a pan, and bean curd ground by local villagers themselves. In the village, nearly every quadrangle dwelling is available for tourists, containing a double room, triple room, room for 6 persons, and room for 10 persons. Among those, the price of a relatively good double room is about 50 yuan in ordinary times. Booking one in advance is necessary.
- Location: Zhaitang Town (斋堂镇), Mentougou district, 90 kilometers from Beijing City
- Ticket Price: RMB 35
- Opening Hours: 7:00 to 18:30 every day