The three most famous villages in the Anhui province - Xidi, Hongcun and Nanping - form the district of Yixian, which was long overlooked by visitors and specialists alike. The region's sumptuous houses adorned with wooden carvings tell the story of the local merchants who became wealthy during the Ming and Qing periods by trading far from their native lands. They have left behind a rich heritage which will delight all art and architecture enthusiasts.