徽派建筑 is known for whitewashed walls under black tiles (
粉墙黛瓦), stepped gable walls called
马头墙 that once served as firebreaks, small courtyards open to the sky (
天井) and fine brick, stone and wood carving. Wealthy
徽商 (Hui merchants) paid for it; the villages
西递 and
宏村 are on the UNESCO World Heritage list.