Xiaozuo Ancient Village

Xiaozuo Ancient Village

Xiaozuo Village is situated six kilometers southwest of Datian Township in Jingning She Autonomous County, neighboring Biaoxi and Yanci Townships, and is famed as the “No. 1 Terraced Fields in the South of the Yangtze River.” The descendants of the Yan family, who “changed their surname from Zhuang to Yan,” trace their lineage to Qianqigong, the founding ancestor of Xiaozuo. After traveling from Yanzhou through Zhuping Township in Longquan, Jipoling, and then to Datian in Jingning, he finally chose to settle in Xiaozuo Village, known as the “Land of Abundant Water and Stream Sediments.” His descendants multiplied, cultivated the fields, and established businesses, eventually forming the village.

The mountain shape behind Xiaozuo Village resembles a brush rack, while three mounds in the fields form a triangular pattern, curving elegantly at every turn, creating a picturesque scholarly desk-like landscape. In the past, this area was a hub of culture and talent, with the Yan family producing five imperial tribute students in one family. Among them were Yan Yongguang, the top scorer in the provincial examination, head of Yafeng Academy, and a renowned poet of the Qing Dynasty; Yan Pinduan, one of the three greatest calligraphers of Jingning in the Qing Dynasty; and others who stood out as exemplary figures in Jingning’s history. Additionally, Yan Pinliang and Yan Yu made significant contributions to education and water conservancy in Jingning, leaving a brilliant chapter in the region’s history.

The wooden memorial archway for chastity and filial piety, built under an imperial decree in the 17th year of the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty (1837), features an eight-pillar, three-bay, three-story structure adorned with exquisitely carved hanging pillars and bracket arms. However, it has also suffered from theft. The front beam of the archway bears inscriptions such as “Chastity and Filial Piety” and “Erected for Madam Mei, Wife of Confucian Student Yan Qishang,” signed by the Viceroy of Zhejiang and Fujian. The back is inscribed with the words “Fragrance Flows Through a Hundred Generations.”

Between the 70th year of the Qianlong reign (1780) and the 15th year of the Daoguang reign (1835) of the Qing Dynasty, the Yan family of Xiaozuo Village began constructing their ancestral hall, completing it in the year of Dingwei after seven years of work, covering an area of 400 square meters. Outside the hall stand four pairs of flagstone bases, left by the “Four Tribute Students” of Xiaozuo Village during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Among them, Yan Yongguang, who was awarded the title of Provincial Tribute Student in the year of Youyi during the Daoguang reign, was the most prestigious. He entered the provincial teaching ranks as the “Top Provincial Tribute Student” of Zhejiang but failed the imperial examinations twice in Beijing. Thereafter, he devoted himself to nature and became a widely celebrated poet. He also presided over Yafeng Academy, the most famous academy in Jingning, where many local scholars received his support or recommendations.

The ancient mountain dwellings of Xiaozuo Village are also distinctive, constructed using the most primitive wood and stone materials. These two-story houses vary in the number of bays, with some having as many as eleven. They all feature uniform gable-and-hip roofs, with additional sloped roofs built on the gable sides, verandas under the eaves, and cantilevered balconies. The architecture is simple with minimal carving, and the buildings are freely arranged according to the terrain, flexible and varied—completely different from the courtyard-style residences of the same period on flat land.

The terraced fields of Xiaozuo Village are hailed as the “No. 1 Terraced Fields in the South of the Yangtze River” and are among the longest terraced fields in China. Layer upon layer, they resemble green jade spread across the mountainsides, creating a spectacular sight. The terraced fields and the ancient dwellings of the village complement each other, exuding an atmosphere of tranquility and vitality, making it a creative base for painters, literature enthusiasts, and photography and videography lovers who seek inspiration in nature.

Over 800 years of time, change, and vicissitudes, Xiaozuo has created a quaint and magnificent culture within the vast mountains of southern Zhejiang, steadfastly preserving and passing down its generations-old way of life. Due to the isolation of the mountains, its splendid and enchanting culture remained hidden deep in the hills and was little known to the outside world. Today, it is gradually unveiling its mysterious veil, and the outside world will be astonished and moved by what it discovers.

Transportation:

By car: Exit at Jingning, take Provincial Highway 228 to Baihe Village, then turn onto County Road 805 to Datian Xiaozuo.