Written by Clementine |
Huxian County nearby Xian is well known as the hometown of peasant painting and the country culture. In the past years with the effort of the local government and villagers, Huxian County is increasingly matured as a country culture resort. Many tourist groups interested in folk culture choose to visit Huxian County for half to one day. In Huxian County, tourists can appreciate peasant painting exhibitions, learn paper cutting, visit local primary schools, watch dragon-lion dance, have lunch with local families, etc.
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- Things to Do When Visiting Huxian County
- Useful Travel Information for Visitors
- FAQs about Huxian County
- Take a Xian Side Trip with China Xian Tour
Things to Do When Visiting Huxian County
Admire Hu County Peasant Painting
Huxian peasant painting is an important folk painting in Gunazhong Plain. The first peasant paintings were born in the 1950s and from the 1970s on, peasant painters in Huxian County committed to improve their painting skills so the peasant paintings became increasingly delicate. Since the 1970s, Huxian County peasant painting has been gradually known across China. Now Huxian is one of the most influential hometowns of peasant painting in China and also the model of the national country cultural construction program.
Subjects of Peasant paintings in Huxian are mainly person figures, domestic animals and plants. The peasant painters could always create paintings to show their dreamful hometown in old days which full of pastoral scene. The paintings are painted with traditional ink and writing brush but full of imagination. The striking color contrast, brilliant colors, and exaggerated visual impact always impress visitors very much. The farmer artists may also create a painting on spot.
Learn Paper Cutting
Paper cutting is a traditional art of Chinese people. In past, when Spring Festival comes, people in Hu County decorated houses with colorful paper cuttings and when one gets married, a red paper cutting of double happiness å is the must-have till today. If you like, local ladies will give a paper cutting lesson and tourists could create their own double happiness. In local peasant family yard, a short dragon-lion dance is full of local taste and tourists could try the dance in person.
Visit a Local Primary School
If visit the county in school semester periods, a visit to local primary school tourists will see the current situation of local school and communicate with pupils. Surrounding the school is the pieces of farmland which is grown with wheat from Mid October to Early June, and from late June to Early October the field may be either bared or grown with corn. In different seasons tourists will see different scenery.
Visit a Local Family
Not far from the school are villages. The rows of farmer houses do not look neat from afar. And in the houses lived those peasant artists. In busy farming period they work in the field to grow corns for material life and in free farming season, they hold a painting brush instead of farm tools in hand to create spirit treasure.
After the visiting time in gallery in the morning, upon request the family will treat visitors with authentic farmhouse dishes at noon. The dishes may be much less delicious than the ones in restaurant and hotel, but tourists will have the most authentic country tour experience. If one wants to learn more about current country life, a visit to local primary school will enable you to talk with local pupils face to face and learn about the current education situation in countryside.
Although the language barrier will obstruct the communication, the breakdown simple English vocabulary will express their friendliness to all visitors. In opposite of the primary school gate is the large pieces of farmland in which wheat are grown. Taking a walk along the edge of farmland to breathe the freshest air and see Chinese traditional farming method will be unforgettable experience in ones country tour.
Useful Travel Information for Visitors
- Entrance fee: free
- Opening hours: All Day
- Public transportation: take bus 928, 909, 611, 108, etc. or rent a car or by taxi (about 50 km from Xian, 1-1.5 hours drive)
FAQs about Huxian County
Is Huxian County worth a day trip from Xi’an, or should I stay overnight?
Huxian County is definitely worth visiting, and a day trip is enough to cover the core scenic spots in the downtown area, including the Farmerās Painting village and Bell Tower, and taste the local food. But the schedule may be tight, and the last train of the Xian-Huxian metro line is 19:25; tourists should pay attention to it. If you plan to stay overnight, you can go deep into the countryside, such as Caijiapo Village, where you may come across painters creating works and participate in handicraft experiences.
Is it easy to get around the county using public transport, or do I need to hire a private driver/taxi?
The core scenic spots in the downtown area can be reached by bus or on foot. Also, you can take the tricycle or ride a shared bike to get there. But to visit the scattered scenic spots, a private driver or taxi will be more convenient and flexible, especially for groups and families.
Are the Farmers’ Painting villages authentic and working, or are they more like tourist showrooms now?
The Farmers’ Painting villagesĀ are authentic. Besides the museum, some villages like Caijiapo village integrate the art with country life closely. You can see large farmers’ paintings on the walls and may encounter the locals who draw pictures by the roadside. The village itself has been an open art scene with several art activities held here. You can also buy some reproduced paintings and related cultural and creative products as souvenirs. So it is not just a showroom.
Take a Xian Side Trip with China Xian Tour
Huxian County is a better choice for a side trip in Xian to discover the unique and authentic local art and life. China Xian Tour is glad to offer help and plans a Xian tour including Huxian County. You can completely immerse yourself in the tour because we will arrange a guide and a driver to lead you to the tourist attractions directly and introduce the local culture to you in detail. So feel free to contact our travel consultants to customize your Xi’an trip including the county.
