Xidi

Infobox World Heritage Site
WHS = Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui - Xidi and Hongcun


State Party =
Type = Cultural
Criteria = iii, iv, v
ID = 1002
Region = Asia-Pacific
Year = 2000
Session = 24th
Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1002

Xīdì (zh-cp|c=西递|p=Xidi, also "Xi'di", or "Xi Di", literally "West Post"), is a village in southern Anhui province (Yixian County), in China, which was declared a part of the “Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui” World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000, along with the village of Hongcun.cite web | url=http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1002 | title=Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui - Xidi and Hongcun | publisher=UNESCO | accessdate=2008-10-08] [cite web | title=Xidi and Hongcun Villages | publisher= [http://english.china.com/ China.com] | url=http://english.china.com/zh_cn/culture_history/heritages/11023762/20040916/11881915.html | accessdate=2008-10-08 | date=2008-09-16]

It was first built during the reign of emperor Huangyou during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) and was originally called "Xichuan" (West River), because of the water courses which flow through the village.

The rise of the village was closely tied to the fortunes of the Hu family. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) members of this family began to act as merchants by 1465, which gave rise to the construction of major private buildings and public infrastructure. By the middle of the 17th century, the influence wielded by members of the Hu family expanded from commerce into politics. The prosperity of Xidi peaked in the 18th and 19th centuries, at which time the village comprised about 600 residences.

The street pattern of Xidi is dominated by a main road which runs in east-west direction and is flanked by two parallel streets. These major streets are joint by many narrow alley ways. Small open spaces are confined to areas immediately in front of the main public buildings, such as the "Hall of Respect", the "Hall of Reminiscence", and the "Memorial Archway of the Governor".

Today, major attractions are 124 well preserved wooden residences from the Ming and Qing dynasties with beautiful carvings. Many of the residences are open to the public.

References

External links

* [http://whc.unesco.org/sites/1002.htm UNESCO site about Xidi and Hongcun]
* [http://english.china.com/zh_cn/culture_history/heritages/11023762/20040916/11881915.html article on Xidi and Hongcun at china.com]