由于自然或各种人为的原因，古代的民居往往很难保存下来。不过，在中国安徽南部却有两处古村落至今仍然保存得很好，这就是西递和宏村。

Due to both natural and human forces, ancient civilian residences are typically difficult to preserve. In the south of China’s Anhui Province, however, two ancient villages—Xidi and Hongcun—have been well-preserved to this day.

　　这是西递。村中至今保存完好的明清民居有近200幢。两条穿过村子的清泉，99条高墙深巷，各具特色的古民居，使游客好像走入了迷宫一般。

This is Xidi. To this day, the village has preserved almost 200 residence buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. With two clear water streams running through the village, 99 high walls and deep alleyways and various styles of ancient residences, visitors are likely to feel as though they have stepped into a maze.

　　村中房屋大多采用黑色大理石建成，各家各户都拥有精美的宅院和花园。石雕的奇花异草、飞禽走兽，砖雕的亭台楼阁、人物戏文，以及木雕、彩绘、壁画等，处处都展现着中国古代艺术的魅力。

The houses in Xidi are made predominantly of black marble, and each residence has its own beautiful garden. The village is infused with the captivating charm of ancient Chinese art, including stone carvings of exotic flowers, birds and beasts; brick carvings depicting Chinese architecture and ancient theatrical scenes; as well as wooden carvings, colored paintings, and frescoes.

　　这是村头的青石牌坊，建于公元1578年，是当时西递村人地位显赫的象征。

This is the bluestone paifang at the village entrance. It was built in 1578 and symbolized the eminence of the Xidi villagers.

　　宏村现在保存完好的明清古民居有140多幢。村子的形状就象一头向前走的大水牛。宏村的水系也是根据牛的形象设计的，可以称得上是中国古代村落建筑艺术一绝。

Today, Hongcun still has more than 140 well-preserved residence buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The layout of the entire village is in the shape of a buffalo walking forward. Hongcun’s water system was also designed according to the buffalo’s shape and can be considered a supreme achievement in the architecture of ancient Chinese villages.