Visitors first entering the Hong Village in northeastern Yixian County of Anhui Province are usually amazed at its picturesque scenery and sophisticated architecture.

Nestled in a chain of mountains, the village hardly feels the vibrancy of modern civilization.

More than 800 years old, the village was first constructed during the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

Hong Village is laid out in the shape of an ox, with the higher end of the village -- the Leigang Mountain -- resembling an ox head.

Centuries-old trees in the mountain tower to the sky just like ox horns, villagers claim.

Hundreds of well-preserved ancient houses spread from east to west like the body of an ox.

Many of the residential houses and other types of architecture were constructed about 300 years ago in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

Among them, the Chengzi Hall is a landmark work of architecture in the village. Covering an area of 2,100 square meters, it was a Qing Dynasty dwelling built by wealthy salt merchant Wang Dinggui.

The hall features delicate woodcarvings, authentic ancient paintings and architectural designs with a strong local flavor.

Another attraction of the village lies in its water supply system, which had been used for hundreds of years, according to local historical records.

Small and crisscrossing waterways link various households. Streams originating to the northwest of the village flow across the area through waterways.

Locals describe the 1,000-meter long waterways as "the ox intestines."

The Moon Pond and the Nanhu Lake were formed by the streams and took the shape of the ox stomach, villagers claim.

Villagers built four bridges over the streams, which are said to look like ox hoofs.

The effective water supply system has survived two fires and was completed by generations of villagers.

The waterways were like the reins of the village, deciding the pulse of its daily life. Villagers grow flowers in the courtyard and raise fish in the pond.

The Hong Village has become increasingly well known throughout the country, especially when it was added to the World Cultural Heritage List in 2000.

(China Daily April 12, 2002)