Ancient village under private protection

Autumn falls on Hongcun village in Anhui province. FENG MUBO/CHINA DAILY

Zhang Zhengyan sits in a delicately decorated room at his hostel, surrounded by a group of reporters who are here just for a short break after looking around Pingshan village on September 20.

Zhang, in his 60s, is an experienced film producer, who has produced 12 of the most famous films directed by Zhang Yimou, one of the most celebrated directors.

Although some guests were seen enjoying their drinks in the front hall, Zhang said the seven rooms in the hostel were all vacant on the day.

"It is likely because of the high prices, apart from the fact it is a work day today", said Zhang, whose hostel is an ancient house of some 1800 square meters. Zhang said a room in the hostel that is named the Imperial Bodyguard, costs nearly 1,000 yuan ($150) for a single day. He refuses to offer any discount even when sometimes there are no guests.

Pingshan of Yixian County is an ancient rural village in Huanshan city, which is known for the Huangshan Mountain, or the Yellow Mountain, in East China's Anhui province.