A Nanjing Native's View of Nanjing – Huashu Village Under the Warm Winter Sun

Travel date: December 2020.

Address: Zhou Chong Natural Village, Huashu Village, Xigang Street, Qixia District.

On weekends, if the weather is good, the left-behind elderly each grab a camera and head out to explore Nanjing’s surroundings. Driving ourselves, not wanting to get too tired, Huashu Village, just over twenty kilometers away, was the perfect choice. I love the natural scenery and cultural atmosphere of this village. On a warm winter day, we set out for Huashu Village once again.

Following the navigation, we passed by the railway tracks outside Huashu Village. On the outskirts of the village, there are two narrow-gauge railway tracks, originally private lines for a cement factory. Now they no longer serve a practical purpose, but the preserved tracks, the forest tunnel alongside, and the small train have all become popular photo spots for social media.

A locomotive sits on the narrow-gauge tracks, with vintage green carriages and a red front bumper, exuding a romantic feel. Taking photos here makes you feel like a hipster artist. On both sides of the tracks, trees stretch forward in a straight line, meeting in an arched canopy that tightly encircles the railway. In summer, the lush branches and leaves would form a green forest tunnel embracing the tracks.

Imagine the scene: a train emerging from the tunnel towards us—doesn’t it evoke the romanticism of a Hayao Miyazaki anime?

Trains and tracks are elements my mother especially loves.

After lingering a while, we continued driving into the village, winding our way up the mountain road to a parking lot halfway up the hill. Next to the parking lot lies Zhouchong Reservoir.

The hillside by the reservoir is now planted with trees in neat rows and columns, orderly arranged.

Amid the somewhat monotonous colors of winter, these red and yellow maple leaves stand out with fiery brilliance.

Under the bright sunshine, against the azure sky, the leaves appear even more translucent.

There is also a steady, deep red here.

Swaying with nobility and aloofness.

The parking lot is on the east side of Zhouchong Reservoir. Looking through the withered yellow reeds at the reservoir, a stretch of emerald water lies cradled among the hills.

The reservoir dam stretches from east to west, grand and spacious. One side is the reservoir itself, while the other side offers a rich variety of scenery. The change in elevation brings different views.

On the other side of the dam, there is a lawn at its base, vivid dawn redwoods, a fair-sized pond, and a village of white walls and black tiles...

Close by is Huashu Village nestled in the hills. Beyond the hills rises Xianlin, a city of high-rise buildings.

The village houses have been uniformly renovated, presenting a completely different feel from the Xianlin city outside. Truly a layout of 'countryside within the city, city within the countryside.'

The dam traces an elegant curve.

With 1,800 mu of Zhouchong Reservoir, it can be said that the hills and waters are interdependent. On the calm water surface beside the dam, today was warm, almost windless, and the water was exceptionally still.

The vegetation around the reservoir is better planned than a few years ago.

The sunlight creates a layered haziness here.

Zhouchong Reservoir gives me a sense of change. Every time I come, it looks different. Because of the seasonal changes, the differing weather, and the varying light, the reservoir possesses a different beauty.

Gazing out from the dam, you can take in the full panorama of the farmland and village below. Doesn't it resemble the scene in 'The Peach Blossom Spring'? 'Paths crisscross the fields, the crowing of cocks and barking of dogs can be heard. There people are coming and going, working; men and women are dressed like outsiders. The elderly and children all seem happy and contented.'

Zooming in, the winter colors are not at all monotonous; they have their own intensity.

Descending from the dam, we followed a winding stone-paved path into the village.

Looking back at the reservoir dam.

Walking along the winding country paths. With few people and beautiful scenery, it's especially pleasant.

Suddenly, bursts of laughter shattered the quiet. It turned out to be a group of women out on a trip, their hearty, joyful laughter.

With abundant vegetation and rich colors, one's mood brightens, no wonder their laughter was so clear and carefree.

Two types of vegetation, one tall and one short, are arranged in an alternating, neat pattern.

Capturing the beauty before the lens.

Along a path that runs beside a water channel, we headed toward the western end of the village. Doesn't this parasol tree by the road have the potential to become an internet-famous tree?

Nature's colorful palette.

I don't remember how I adjusted the camera settings, but this photo came out.

At the west end of the stone path is a small pond, and beyond the pond, rows of vegetable plots stretch straight to the foot of the hills.

Clusters of white-walled, gray-tiled Huizhou-style buildings stand out elegantly amidst the green hills and clear waters.

Winter is the perfect time for pickling vegetables.

Using red leaves and reeds to constantly change the foreground in the frame, the gray tiles, white walls, green waters, and verdant hills offer a bright, understated elegance and a distinct rhythm of layers.

Winter reed flowers in bloom, so fluffy and adorable.

Under the blue sky, the big golden pomelos among the green leaves are a sheer temptation of color.

We walked across the narrow-gauge railway, strolled along the dam, crossed the fields, and arrived among the village houses.

This two-story house is in a particularly good location, with a small river flowing in front. Whether from inside the house or under the tree, you can gaze distantly at the reservoir dam, and the view is extremely open.

Huashu, where hills and waters meet.

Walking along the stone-paved main street, flanked by Huizhou-style houses with hedges and vegetable gardens, every plant and tree here exudes a strong sense of original, unspoiled nature.

On both sides of the stone path are neat two-story buildings with white walls and gray tiles.

Paintings adorn the white walls, telling us the theme of this house. The small courtyard, blooming with flowers, is idyllic and romantic.

Besides paintings, walls covered with vegetation also decorate the houses.

The land between the houses is fully utilized, with fresh vegetables grown for self-sufficiency.

Homemade, sun-dried pickles are all part of the rustic village scene.

In winter, under the blue sky, the white houses and the strong, sturdy branches create a clean, pure picture.

The brown dawn redwoods ignite the otherwise muted colors.

That little creature certainly knows how to pick a spot, basking in the warmth.

In the village, besides the new, uniform houses, there are also houses built of stone and gray bricks like these.

I strolled from the west end of the main street to the east.

On the north side of the east end, among the white-walled, gray-tiled houses with wooden door frames, is a chic café called modo space.

To the right as you enter, a long table and a single sofa create a cozy little resting nook. An open bookshelf in the wall connects two spaces, giving a feeling of open comfort.

The space is larger than I imagined; this is the middle room. There are three large rooms in total, divided into different areas by concrete walls.

One room on each side. The gray walls of these three large open rooms are hung with portrait oil paintings, giving the space a strong artistic atmosphere.

On either side of the large rooms, wide doorways connect to the spaces on the left and right. There are seats of all shapes: a slender bar counter, small round side tables, a large rectangular table, single sofas, double sofas, bar stools, rocking chairs... suitable for all kinds of social gatherings.

This room has a long sofa, a long table, and a screen, perfect for holding small salons, film exchanges, and other events.

Small ornaments on the long table.

A door leads to the backyard.

In the large room on the left is the café's work area.

There is also a lounge area. One large room naturally divides into three areas, functionally practical and naturally separated.

The work area is neat and orderly, and the owner is busily working away.

The work area is also decorated with great taste.

A large wooden lattice door connects two spaces.

Two facing white sofas allow you to curl up and lie lazily here for an entire afternoon.

By the window, a long table is ideal for reading, with views of the main street outside.

On the other side, there is a relatively private space, perfect for small gatherings of a few friends.

I ordered a cup of osmanthus latte, an interesting flavor.

Leaving the beautiful café, ahead is a large, open space.

Under the warm winter sun, dried radishes are being sun-dried.

Here there is a comprehensive shop selling a variety of items: simple meals, desserts, drinks, coffee.

The bar counter and bar stools face the beautiful village scenery directly.

Looking from the outside into the house.

Green plants climb up the wooden lattice windows, extending life infinitely.

The large wooden deck has a waterside section adjacent to the pond.

The gentle river, with lush aquatic plants on both banks.

In the clear little pond, you can see aquatic plants swaying.

On the other side of the pond is a large lawn sports field.

Winter flowers are especially dazzling.

We turned around and walked back westward along the small river.

The dam up high is the path we came from. Looking at the scenery from a different angle, the trees are still the same trees, the woods the same woods, but the view is different.

Huashu Village, like a paradise, is full of vibrant scenes everywhere.

In the courtyards, the low-key black, white, and gray evolve into bright yellows, reds, and whites—these changes come from the blooming flowers.

A small fenced yard with little flowers and grasses gives you the feeling of 'plucking chrysanthemums by the eastern hedge, leisurely gazing at the southern hills.'

Back at the village entrance, next to the café, there is a local restaurant run by a village family in their own house. It's nice to have an income without leaving home.

The landmark big tree at the village entrance.

The big pond at the village entrance sparkles brilliantly in the sunlight.

Even in winter, Huashu Village is lush with greenery. Tall and short plants complement each other, as if it were a vibrant botanical garden.

Along the asphalt road into the village, in the waterscape forest, there is a winding wooden walkway. Beside the walkway are pictures introducing the village's scenery, showcasing the cultural features of the modern new countryside.

The half-day in this beautiful village passed by unnoticed, and soon it was evening. The evening Huashu Village has its own special charm.

Under the glow of the setting sun, the whole village appears especially peaceful. Sitting by the pond watching the sunset, it truly feels like a moment of tranquil contentment.

In this atmosphere of serene contentment, let me take a keepsake photo of my little cloth bag!

Here, breathing in the scent of the earth and the fragrance of flowers and plants, listening to the birds singing, sensing the changing of the seasons... Huashu Village, this beautiful hamlet, has an endless charm that draws me back time and time again.