Well-deserving of its UNESCO World Heritage Site status, the village of Chengkan in Anhui province is a perfect place to see distinctive Ming Dynasty architecture. Not only is the 1,800-year-old town incredibly well-preserved, but it also is a showcase for impressive artisans' work built into the town's structures themselves. It's well worth the half-hour trip from neighboring Tunxi.

The placid waters in historic Chengkan.

Artist renderings of the town of Chengkan.