For tourists to Censhan town in Shanxi province, Wanghuagou village may seem like a castle in the air from the distance. Wanghuagou was built between cliffs in the Guancen Mountains. It is also called Xuankong village, which means village hanging in the air.

Wanghuagou village, or Xuankong village in Shanxi province [Photo/Xinhua]

Most houses in the village are made of wood, with their back parts against the plank road that built into cliff and their other parts supported by wooden pilings. Round logs pave the passage in front of houses, and spring water comes up from the cliffs all year long. During the summer, the water hangs over the caves on the cliffs; in winter, it freezes into an ice-cascade like a jade carving screen. On both sides are houses with water mills.

Today, more than ten households still live in the village in the traditional way, working from sunrise and sleeping at sunset, just like their ancestors hundreds years ago.

According to local people, Xuankong village was founded in the late Ming (1368-1644) and early Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, when a prince of the Ming Dynasty’s Chongzhen Reign hid in Puying Temple, as an insurrectionary arm overturned his kingdom. In order to protect the prince, his followers built houses between the cliffs close to the temple. A few years later, the prince died of depression, and his followers still lived there.

Tips:

How to get to Wanghuagou village?

Self-driving travelers can exit Dayun Expressway from Xinzhou Station and drive along Xinwu Road to Dongzhai town in Ningwu county, and then turn on to a country road. Travelers will pass by Mount Luyashan, where signs indicate the way to Wanghuagou village.

Where to stay?

Visitors can board in locals’ homes, the villagers are friendly to visitors. Or live in hotels in the village or nearby Dongzhai town,.

What to visit?

Visitors can appreciate the history and culture of Wanghuagou village, or walk along the plank road. Besides, not far away from the village is Mount Luyashan Scenic Spot,

What to eat?

Steamed corn bread made with coarse food grains, like bean flour; local specialties, such as Luyashan mushrooms or Ningwu Maojian tea.