What are the characteristics of Hongcun?

The ancient inhabitants of Hongcun are characterized by Leigang Mountain in the north, Dongshan Mountain and Shigu Mountain in the east and west. The vegetation on the mountain is lush, and the terrain in the south of the village is open, with a big pond-Nanhu Lake. The layout of the village is basically maintained from north to south, with the village site in the center and surrounded by mountains and rivers, forming an ideal feng shui environment of "pillow mountain, surrounded by water and screen" with flowing water. The layout of Hongcun Village is in the shape of a bull. Niuchangshui Tunnel leads to the entrance of Xixi River, flows through the whole village through nine twists and turns, and finally flows into Nanhu Lake, giving full play to its functions of production, living, drainage, fire fighting and improving the ecological environment. Residents can drink water, wash clothes and water in the garden without leaving home, and even dig pond culture, plant flowers and grass for self-cultivation. Hongcun has a grid-like street system, which is paved with granite and passes through the artificial water system of every household, forming a unique water street space. The center of the village is centered on the "bull heart" of the Half Moon Lake-the Moon Marsh, surrounded by houses and ancestral halls, which is very cohesive. The Moon Marsh and South Lake water surface, which can best reflect the landscape and artistic value of Hongcun, are still full of vitality surrounded by green hills, reflecting the quaint buildings and showing the unique residential environment value and landscape value of Hongcun. Water, architecture and environment are the three major elements of Hongcun's Ming and Qing residential buildings. Hongcun is a water network composed of water town, Yuetang, Nanhu Lake, water town and residential "water garden", which constitutes the overall spatial characteristics of water features, and the artistic characteristics of water have been fully exerted in Hongcun's Ming and Qing residential buildings. Water system has a positive effect on the ecology, landscape and environment of the village, creating a good living and ecological environment for the villagers and making the village more beautiful, charming, clear and cordial. The water in Hongcun fully embodies its ecological value, practical function and landscape value. The residential buildings in Hongcun in Ming and Qing Dynasties are basically well preserved, including academy buildings, ancestral halls, numerous residential buildings and their private gardens, which are outstanding representatives of Huizhou architectural culture. In particular, the academy buildings represented by Nanhu Academy, the residential buildings represented by Chengzhitang, and the private gardens represented by Deyitang and Biyuan reflect the prosperity of Huizhou Confucian culture in the14-18th century. The Ming and Qing residential buildings in Hongcun have an ancient and elegant temperament. They make full use of local wood, stone, brick and other materials to carve various themes, as well as interior decoration, courtyard furnishings and green layout, which embodies the profound cultural connotation of Huizhou and has high historical, artistic and scientific value. Because the local climate is mild and the air is humid, which is suitable for plant growth, the ancient and famous trees such as hazel trees, willows and ginkgo trees in streams and lakes in Leigang Mountain are in harmony with ancient buildings. There are flower beds and bonsai in the combined waterscape gardens of most dwellings, which are exquisite and full of interest. It is a masterpiece of private gardens in ancient Huizhou. Because of the flexible use of water, villages and houses are endowed with vitality and spirituality. The combination of water, architecture and environment can better reflect the profound cultural accumulation of villages and the comprehensive value of Feng Shui theory in guiding the layout of village construction. Hongcun has 14- 103 ancient buildings in the 9th century, including academies, ancestral temples and folk houses.