Ancient villages where traditions live on
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, October 27, 2016
Rangchuan Village
This village is home to the ethnic She people. Since the days of the Qianlong Emperor in the Qing Dynasty, they have retained their unique customs and traditions, as well as an ancestral hall and memorial gateways in the village.
The best times to experience the local culture are during festivals. On the third day of every lunar March, the She people prepare colorful bowls of rice dyed with herbal juices as part of festivities to honor ancestors.
During Spring Festival, the She also cook sweet glutinous rice dumplings, visit neighbors, sing their ethnic songs and pray to their gods for happiness and good fortune.
The She people are also highly skilled at bamboo weaving and embroidery. The bamboo weaving tradition relies on the abundance of bamboo that grows on the rolling mountains that surround the village.
Most of their sophisticated, colorful folk costumes are handmade. In recent years, their woven apparel, handicrafts and knickknacks have gained wide attention thanks to their exquisite craftsmanship.
How to get there: G2501 Expressway — G60 Expressway — S26 Expressway — S10 Expressway — G15 Expressway — 330 Provincial Road — 303 Provincial Road
Daxiagu Village
Zhexi Canyon has been dubbed "Hangzhou's back garden" by virtue of its abundance of lush bamboo forests, ponds, lakes and fresh air. It also has an average temperature below 22 degrees Celsius due to its geography and forest cover.
The village is situated on a mountain slope covered by lush vegetation. This provides ample shade for those exploring the area's trails, streams and waterfalls. Hikers can take paths laid with stones or pick their own way through the forest.
The lingering sweet scent of osmanthus blooms, together with golden, red and orange autumn tints are an irresistible combination for visitors to the village this time of year. Leaves cover sidewalks, rustle in the wind and produce a pleasant cracking sound when crunched underfoot.
As for food and accommodation, family-run guesthouses offer homey rooms and authentic local cuisine. Visitors can also experience how to cook authentic tongguo (copper pot) rice with local residents.
Villagers favor cooking their meals outdoors. Using brick stoves, they often stew rice with potatoes, preserved meat, bamboo shoots and green beans.
How to get there: G56 Expressway — 102 Provincial Road — 209 Provincial Road
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