Cuandixia

Unclaimed

It's a bit of a trek to get here by tube, bus and 'private taxi' but worth it for the peace. Stay in the tranquil traditional courtyard inns. Sample the local fruit and nuts in the small high street market and roam through the caves a few miles outside of the village. Try the local mushrooms! Watch it though - the shower might be a bit nippy!

Cuandixia Ancient Village was built during the reign of Ming Emperor Yongle (1403-1424). In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the locality of the village is the most important post road linking east and west Zhaitang district in the western part of Beijing. It is also the military road linking Beijing and remote areas, as well as main artery leads to the areas like Hebei Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The village is about 650 meters above sea level with a temperate monsoon climate, which makes it cool in summer and cold in winter. The whole village is about 5.33 square kilometers in size with clear springs, good sunshine, natural vegetation and earth fit for farming. With 74 well-preserved courtyards, 689 houses and 29 families, it is a popular tourist attraction in Mentougou district of Beijing now, especially in summer.

Fabulous drive thru the Mts just west of Beijing. The village is amazing from the Ming Qing Dynasty but hurry to visit there before it becomes the full blown tourist destination the Chinese are working on developing. Be sure to walk or drive just out of the village to drive thru some incredible rocks--like a river carved the road thru them. With a Buddhist Temple Cave hidden at one point around a corner.

I took a bus from Beijing to Cuandixia. It took several hours to get there. The village is miles away from modern civilisation. So don't get sick or hurt yourself badly!!!! You may not have internet or phone access either. The houses and streets are well preserved. The village dates from the Ming dynasty. It is located in Mentougou District. People are friendly and you can find places to spend the night easily. Very cheap too. The people are obviously poor compared to western standards. So don't expect top quality food either. But the whole experience is amazing and definitely worth the time.

Through thoughtful arrangement by Tsinghua University in a reunion party, I visited the village with other alumni from Hong Kong. I enjoyed the the historical and cultural heritage there. The many inns there reflects the local or regional tourism demand.