Museum of ancient scholars

The Museum of the Number One Scholars tells the history of the imperial examination system in ancient China. Photo provided to China Daily

When visiting Huangshan Mountain in Huangshan city, Anhui province, take a side trip to the city's Xiuning county, where you can enjoy traditional Chinese culture, green mountains and authentic Anhui cuisine.

An attraction in the county, which is 18 kilometers from downtown Huangshan, is the Museum of the Number One Scholars. It chronicles the history of the imperial examination system in ancient China and exhibits antiques such as the scholar's red robe and hat, inscribed boards and original examination questions and answers.

Xiuning is known as the hometown of Number One Scholars. From 1217 to 1880, there were as many as 19 Number One Scholars (for both liberal arts and martial arts) in the county.

After touring the museum, I went to try the county's famous dishes and drinks such as salted pork and glutinous rice wine that were shown in A Bite of China, the popular documentary series about Chinese cuisines.