This remarkable, perfectly preserved, 14th-century village nestles in a sheltered location in a loess valley. Once the home of the Dang clan, successful merchants who ferried timber and other goods across the Yellow River, it's since evolved into a quintessential farming community. Three hundred and twenty families live here in 125 grey-brick courtyard houses, which are notable for their carvings and mix of different architectural styles. The elegant six-storey tower is a Confucian pagoda (Wénxīng gé). With its sleepy, timeless atmosphere, it's a fine place to escape the hustle of modern China.

Dǎngjiācūn is 9km northeast of Hánchéng. To get here, take a minibus (Y3, 20 minutes) from the bus station to the entrance road, from where it's a pleasant 2km walk through fields to the village. Otherwise, you can take a taxi from Hánchéng (Y20).