The two traditional villages of Xidi and Hongcun preserve to a remarkable extent the appearance of non-urban settlements of a type that has largely disappeared or has been transformed in the past century. They have preserved nearly 1,000 Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1616-1911) residential buildings, revitalizing village lives in southern Anhui Province a few centuries ago. Their street patterns, their architecture and decoration, and the integration of houses with comprehensive water systems are unique survivals.

( CRIENGLISH.com)