Dongyang Baitan Residential Buildings

Dongyang Baitan Residential Buildings

Dongyang Baitan Residential Buildings is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The over 600-year-old Baitan Village is home to more than 40 ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties as well as the early Republican period, among which Fuyu Hall and Wuben Hall are the largest and most representative.

Fuyu Hall was built between the Jiaqing and Xianfeng eras of the Qing Dynasty. It consists of two axes and four building complexes, with an overall layout in the shape of a Chinese character “品” (pronounced “pin”), featuring six courtyards and covering an area of over 10,000 square meters, with a construction area of approximately 5,127 square meters. The village’s elderly association is housed in the first courtyard.

Fuyu Hall incorporates typical Dongyang residential layout styles such as the traditional three-sided and four-sided courtyards, as well as composite versions of these forms. The entire residence makes extensive use of Dongyang wood carvings, along with brick carving, stone carving, calligraphy, murals, and applied relief decoration. Wu Chiha said that preservation is very important—this place is often inspected. The buildings are equipped with surveillance cameras, fire hydrants, smoke detectors, and the electrical wiring is encased in iron conduits. At the four corners of the courtyards are “Taiping vats” (firefighting water reservoirs), providing an emergency water source, which can also be used to grow lotus flowers when not in use.

Wuben Hall covers an area of about 3,100 square meters, with a construction area of around 3,420 square meters, and was built between the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty and the early Republican period. The structure has a horizontal layout, consisting of three axes. Wuben Hall is in the center, flanked by Juzhuang Hall and Sanli Hall on either side. Each axis is separated by small lanes but interconnected, forming a large compound that is both divided and unified.

Wuben Hall features exquisite carvings, utilizing wood carvings, stone engravings, and murals, showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship of Dongyang’s folk artisans.

On October 7, 2019, Dongyang Baitan Residential Buildings was included in the eighth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units