It’s summertime, which means it’s crawfish season in China and the U.S. From June until Mid-Autumn Festival, these tasty “little lobsters” are served up, piping hot, everywhere in China. Americans usually boil their crawfish in a pot, adding potatoes, corn, sausage, lemon, and Zataran’s crab boil spices, then dump them on a newspaper-covered picnic table. Chinese, on the other hand, eat their crawfish stir-fried in a wok and served up in tureens on a lazy Susan. Today, we’ll

Last but not least among must-see ancient villages in southern Anhui is Xidi Village. Also located in the Huangshan Scenic Region, Xidi is but a 30-minute (20 km) drive from Hongcun, both named UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2000. Xidi was established during the Huangyou period of the Renzong emperor’s reign during the Northern Song Dynasty—i.e. between 1049 and 1053 CE. It was originally called “Xichuan” (“West River”), owing to the water channels snaking through it. It late

In the Huizhou region of Huangshan (the same region where Chengkan is located) lies a better-known ancient village by the name of Hongcun (literally, “Hong Village”). Thanks to film director Ang Lee for choosing it as the backdrop for part of his Academy Award-winning film “Couching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” people the world over know of this photographer’s paradise. Besides the town’s dramatic backdrop, the Yellow Mountains, there is also a mystical art to its aesthetic appeal.

Located in the Huizhou District of Huangshan City, Chengkan Village is renowned for its well-preserved residential architecture. It’s a grand example not only of Hui style buildings but also of feng shui principles used to construct an entire village. It’s about a half-hour drive from Tunxi, the central and oldest district of Huangshan City, and a two-hour drive from Ma’anshan. One of its most fascinating appeals is its layout. The 1800-year-old village is arranged according