Explore Huizhou Ancient City and Taste Huangshan Fine Tea

Route: Tao Xingzhi Memorial Hall → Xu Guo Stone Archway → Huizhou Ancient City → Doushan Street → Jiang Xiangtai Tea Culture Hall

Shexian, under the jurisdiction of Huangshan City, Anhui Province, was designated a National Historic and Cultural City in 1986. If you want to experience the essence of Huizhou culture and savor the rich aroma of Huizhou tea, then why not take this trip to explore the ancient city of Shexian and taste fine tea?

First Stop: Tao Xingzhi Memorial Hall

Tao Xingzhi was born in 1891 in Huangtanyuan Village, Shexian, Anhui. He was a great educator, educational thinker, outstanding democratic fighter, great patriot, and great communist fighter. Guo Moruo once praised: 'Two thousand years ago there was Confucius; two thousand years later there is Tao Xingzhi.' The memorial hall houses many precious relics and photos of Tao Xingzhi, allowing visitors to learn about his life and contributions. It is also a great place to take photos.

Second Stop: Xu Guo Stone Archway

Also known as the Grand Scholar Archway, it has eight pillars and a '口' shape, commonly called the 'Eight-legged Archway.' It is located in Shexian County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, and was erected in October 1584 (the 12th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming dynasty). Xu Guo had this archway built in his hometown of Shexian when he returned home in glory. Archways were structures erected in feudal society to honor merits, scholarly achievements, virtuous governance, and loyalty, filial piety, chastity, and righteousness. They are considered the best carriers of ancient Chinese history and culture. It is hailed as the 'Eastern Arc de Triomphe.'

Third Stop: Doushan Street

Doushan Street is one of the most famous streets in Huizhou Ancient City and a representative of Huizhou culture. Here, clusters of Huizhou merchant residences create a tranquil Ming and Qing dynasty atmosphere. Doushan Ancient Street is about half a kilometer long, winding and serene, paved entirely with bluestone slabs. Strolling along Doushan Street, you can feel the prosperity of Huizhou commercial culture and the weight of history.

Fourth Stop: Jiang Xiangtai Tea Culture Hall

Located at No. 35, end of Doushan Street, covering an area of about 1,700 square meters. It integrates the exhibition of Huizhou tea merchants' history and culture, tea-making techniques study, tea art experience and tasting, dining, meetings, and leisure services. It is a museum of the historical development of Huizhou tea merchants and a tea culture-themed tourism complex. The first floor of the hall is a tea culture exhibition, recreating the business routes and scenes of the Jiang family's heyday when 'Huizhou tea merchants' sold tea nationwide. There are scenes of going north to the old Beijing Anhui Guildhall to present jasmine tea to Empress Dowager Cixi, and rafting down the Xin'an River to sell tea in Hangzhou and Shanghai. In the central exhibition hall, a giant ocean-going sailing ship model shows a microcosm of tea exports to Europe and America. In the tea-making technique display area, many artifacts are displayed, showcasing the exquisite traditional tea-making techniques of the Jiang Xiangtai tea brand in the Huizhou region. Adjacent specialty tea rooms allow you to taste the famous Huangshan teas that the Jiang family once sold overseas and across China. The second floor of the hall features distinctive, spacious, and bright cultural-themed guest rooms, including the Ocean Hall, Navigation Hall, Cining Hall, Matcha Hall, Royal Hall, and Taoist Immortal Hall. Away from the hustle and bustle, step by step you encounter antique charm with Huizhou-style buildings; tranquil and far-reaching, with green bricks and black tiles. Sip a cup of clear tea, wash away the dust of travel. Whether you are on a leisure vacation, family trip, company team building, or business trip, this will be your ideal choice to rest your weary soul. I am waiting for you at the hall!

The above is the travel guide for exploring the ancient city of Shexian and tasting fine tea. I hope it can provide some reference and help for your trip. During your travels, be sure to pay attention to safety and take protective measures. Wish you a pleasant journey!