Situated in the mountainous region in the south of Anhui province, the area of Wannan - also known as Huizhou in the past - has always been difficult to access. But it is thanks to that remoteness that much of the vernacular architecture built here during the Ming and Qing dynasties has been conserved, especially in villages such as Xidicun, Hongcun of Yixian and Chengkancun, Xuxian of Shexian.


The origins of Huizhou vernacular architecture's distinctive style can be traced back to the lack of flat land and the dense population in the villages. The small two-storey courtyard houses are laid out in a way that sets them apart from similar traditional styles, while the exquisite architectural features and embellishments reflect the lifestyle and values of the people of Huizhou.


The Hong Kong Heritage Museum has recently received a very generous donation from Miss Lo Kai Yin of parts of Huizhou vernacular architecture. The collection includes window panels, partition panels, lattice windows and railings. The finest examples of these will be put on display to illustrate the characteristics of the unique Huizhou vernacular architecture.