Tangmo Ancient Village (唐模古村), located at the entrance of Huangshan and adjacent to the Tangyue Archway Group in She County, is a historical village established according to the standards and styles of the prosperous Tang Dynasty. Founded during the Tang Dynasty, it flourished during the Song and Yuan Dynasties and reached its peak in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Known for its simplicity and vibrant economy, it earned the title of “Model Village of the Tang Dynasty,” reflecting the rich cultural heritage and deep historical significance of Huizhou.
The village is traversed by the beautiful Tanggan River, with houses lining its banks. Tangmo is renowned for its ancient camphor trees, picturesque streams, and the scenic “Ten Bridges, Nine Views.” It is also celebrated for having “One Village, Three Confucian Academies,” highlighting its educational legacy. Key attractions include the octagonal stone pavilion from the Qing Dynasty, the Tongbao Hanlin Archway, and the scenic Tanggan Garden.
The village preserves a harmonious and ancient ambiance, earning it the reputation of being “A Village Living Within a Painting.” Visitors to Tangmo can immerse themselves in its tranquil atmosphere and appreciate the beauty of its traditional architecture and natural surroundings.
Travel Information about Tangmo Ancient Village
Ticket Information and Opening Hours
Ticket Price: 80 CNY
Opening Hours: 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Access to the Scenic Area
Location: Tangmo Village, Qiankou Town, Huizhou District, Huangshan City, approximately 10 kilometers west of She County.
Transportation:
- You can take Bus No. 8 from the Huizhou District and get off at the Paifang Station.
- Alternatively, a taxi from She County will cost around 30 CNY.
Attraction Ratings
- Cultural Value: ★★★
- Unique Features: ★★★
- Leisure: ★★★
- Scenic Beauty: ★★★
- Romance: ★★★
- Excitement: ★★★
Highlights of Tangmo Village
Shuikou Garden
Upon entering Tangmo Ancient Village, visitors are immediately greeted by the enchanting Shuikou Garden. This picturesque garden features a stream that flows through the village, crossing over several small stone bridges and cascading over a series of dams, creating charming artificial waterfalls as it moves downstream. The banks of the stream are adorned with dozens of massive camphor trees, their evergreen canopies providing a lush backdrop for the quaint bridges, flowing water, and traditional houses.
About one kilometer from the village, the beauty of Shuikou Garden becomes even more pronounced. Here, ancient pavilions with elegantly curved eaves stand beside the trees, featuring two-story octagonal structures topped with blue tiles and supported by red columns. Below the pavilion, stone tables and benches invite visitors to sit and soak in the serene atmosphere. The entire scene is like a painting, showcasing the harmonious blend of nature and traditional architecture.
Tangan Garden
Tangan Garden is a famous private garden located in the Huizhou region, celebrated for its picturesque landscape. The garden is adorned with fragrant sandalwood flowers and features a gentle stream that winds through the grounds. Its name is inspired by a line from the “Book of Songs,” which mentions the harvesting of sandalwood, embodying the garden’s serene and poetic atmosphere. Additionally, the garden includes an artificial lake that mimics the scenic beauty of Hangzhou, earning it the local nickname “Little West Lake.”
Despite its modest size, Tangan Garden is meticulously organized. The main structures include Zhao Chun Hall, the Loyal Martyrs’ Temple, and a small private school. Zhao Chun Hall is the largest building in the garden, historically serving as a gathering place for officials, scholars, and aspiring intellectuals during their leisure time. The Loyal Martyrs’ Temple is dedicated to loyal ministers Xu Yuan and Zhang Xun, while the small private school reflects the Confucian education system in Huizhou, funded by local land rents to educate the children of the community.
Origin of Tangan Garden
In the early Qing Dynasty, a merchant from the Xu family in Tangmo conducted business in the Hangzhou area. His mother longed to visit the picturesque West Lake but was unable to do so due to the long and arduous journey. In a show of filial piety, the devoted son decided to invest a significant amount of money to create a lake near the village. He excavated a pond, built embankments, and constructed bridges, replicating the scenic beauty of West Lake.
The garden was designed with pavilions and pathways, adorned with sandalwood flowers and purple-blooming trees, all to provide his mother with a beautiful place to relax and enjoy her later years. This act of devotion also served as a way to repay the kindness and support of the local community. For centuries, this heartwarming story has been cherished in Huizhou, highlighting the deep cultural values of family and gratitude that resonate throughout the region.
Gaoyang Bridge
Gaoyang Bridge, built during the Ming Dynasty, is a distinctive stone arch bridge featuring two openings. It represents a unique type of covered bridge found in ancient Huizhou. The bridge is adorned with a five-bay pavilion constructed atop its deck, showcasing exquisite wood carvings and elegant, colorful decorations, making it a prime example of Ming Dynasty architectural design. On the downstream side of the bridge, a one-meter-wide walkway with stone railings allows pedestrians to stroll and enjoy the scenery. Today, the ancient bridge serves as a popular spot for visitors to relax, enjoy tea, and take in the views.
As the main bridge among the ten stone bridges in Tangan Garden, Gaoyang Bridge features a plaque engraved with the name “高阳桥 Gaoyang Bridge,” reflecting the Xu family’s origins from Gaoyang County. The pavilion on the bridge is designed in a Ming-style wooden structure, historically serving as a place of worship for Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, leading locals to affectionately refer to it as “Guanyin Bridge.”
The small pavilion atop Gaoyang Bridge is adorned with decorative balustrades and lattice windows, allowing visitors to gaze out at the charming water street. The windows feature colorful paintings of flowers and birds, accompanied by an inscription reading “郯伯作 Tian Bo made.” The roof is embellished with a traditional “万” pattern of tiles, while the lower edges are decorated with auspicious motifs. At the center of the ridge is a cone-shaped tin ornament, flanked by decorative tiles and ceramic beast figures at each end, enhancing the bridge’s beauty and cultural significance.
Tangmo Water Street
Exiting Gaoyang Bridge, visitors will find Tangmo Water Street, a charming thoroughfare that stretches approximately 600 meters along a winding stream. This unique water street is actually a narrow creek flowing from north to south, varying in width between 5 to 10 meters, with crystal-clear waters that run year-round.
On both sides of the creek, nearly a hundred traditional Huizhou-style buildings can be found, including residences, ancestral halls, shops, and oil mills. The architecture is characterized by a harmonious mix of heights and styles, creating a vibrant streetscape that lines the waterway.
Additionally, a 40-meter-long covered corridor provides shelter from the rain, with elegant benches set along the creek for villagers and merchants to rest and socialize. This bustling water street not only showcases the architectural beauty of the region but also serves as a focal point for local life, where the community can gather, shop, and enjoy the serene ambiance created by the flowing water and traditional surroundings.