Hongcun Village

Enter with a route, not only a camera

Hongcun is photogenic, but the visit is better when South Lake, South Lake Academy, Moon Pond, and the major halls form a clear loop.

Start with South Lake if entering from the main side

South Lake gives the broad village reflection scene and sets up the move into smaller lanes and interior halls.

Use Moon Pond as the central pause

Moon Pond is the famous inner reflection point. Visit early or late if you want calmer water and less crowd pressure.

Decide whether Xidi is really needed on the same day

Hongcun and Xidi make a logical pair, but one village done slowly can be better than two villages skimmed quickly.