Cuandixia Ancient Village

Cuandixia Ancient Village is one of the best-preserved Ming and Qing Dynasty villages in northern China, a cluster of approximately 70 traditional courtyard houses (siheyuan) clinging to the steep terraced slopes of a narrow mountain valley 90 kilometres west of Beijing. Founded in the early Ming Dynasty (circa 1400s), the village was built by members of the Han clan, who constructed identical-plan grey-brick courtyard compounds on successive terraces connected by steep stone lanes and steps. Despite being just 90 kilometres from the capital, Cuandixia's isolation in the West Beijing Mountains meant it was bypassed by modernisation; most residents left for the city during the 20th century, leaving the village frozen in time. Original carved wooden screens, stone mill wheels, and revolutionary slogans painted on walls during the Cultural Revolution remain visible. Today a small community of elderly residents and guesthouse owners remain; the village is best visited midweek when day-trippers are fewer and the mountain silence is restored. Overnight stays in a village courtyard guesthouse are highly recommended.