Picture postcard scenery

A bridge consisting of six pavilions and five corridors. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The stone bridge piers bear the marks of previous floods as the floods would carry wooden logs from mountain, which would hit the piers leaving their marks on them. Some village women can be seen on the riverbank washing clothes by beating them repeatedly with wooden sticks.

When the water ebbs, one can cross the river by stepping on square rocks arranged in a straight line. On the opposite bank is a large old rolling mill wheel for villagers to pound rice.

Many of Wuyuan's ancient villages have camphor trees because locals believe their longevity represents vitality and their special odor can ward off evil spirits. They also make small teapots out of the wood for sale as souvenirs.

The most well-known tree is Yantian village's 1,600-year-old camphor tree that takes more than a dozen people to encircle it.

In the villages, Hui-style mansions are arranged in rows. The houses are famous for their iconic high walls shaped like horse heads as a means of fireproofing, and black tiles and white walls. Such houses also have quadrate skylights that can drain water, reduce the heat of sunshine, and offer good ventilation.