The Qi Family Ancestral House

The Qi Family Ancestral House

Qijia Village is located in a hilly area. Along the streamside road, there is an arched small bridge over a murmuring brook, beside which winds a narrow path. The Qi Family residence faces south and, according to historical records, covers a total area of 1,990 square meters. In front of the compound stands a watchtower with two gun ports—one round and one square—on the front façade. The tower is built from light-red strip stones, giving it a sturdy and impregnable appearance. The entire structure consists of two courtyards, featuring a central courtyard, corridors, connecting galleries, wing rooms, a garden, and more.

The entire structure consists of two courtyards, featuring a central courtyard, corridors, connecting galleries, wing rooms, a garden, and more. Small buildings with blue tiles and white walls are interconnected, with the main entrance’s upturned eaves towering in the center. Looking up at the main gate, the inscribed plaque above has become blurred, while the plaques on the east and west gates are inscribed with “Pavilion Resting on Yu Mountain” and “Gate Welcoming Qiu Waters,” respectively. Opposite the main gate, embedded in the enclosing wall, is a natural oddity known as the “Star and Moon Stone.” Within the dark red Serpentine rock lies a perfectly round white circle, resembling a bright moon embraced by countless cold stars, with a long streak beside it like the distant Milky Way—symbolizing “the moon at its zenith.”

The main building is a traditional wooden quadrangle courtyard, with a flush-gable roof and post-and-lintel timber-framed brick structure. It has two stories, seven bays across with one alleyway, and the central bay features a five-pillar, seven-rafter framework, with central columns reaching the ground and double steps both front and back, along with front and rear corridors. The side bays mirror the central bay. The courtyard is spacious, paved with flat stone slabs, with a well located in the left corner. On either side are two-story wing rooms with flush-gable roofs and post-and-lintel structures. Behind these lies a long, spacious cross-courtyard, known as the back courtyard or the Young Lady’s Tower, also called “Shunyu Tower.” Stepping through small doors just a dozen steps to the left or right leads into the wing rooms on either side of the main building. These rooms include nine open halls and nine cross-courtyards, each with a fan-shaped inscription above the door, each character exuding a rich culture of scholarly farming heritage and carrying the charm of ancient poetic elegance. In front of the wing rooms lies another long, spacious cross-courtyard, where servants and farmhands once lived. On either side of the back courtyard are wing rooms separated from the Young Lady’s Tower by walls. At the very rear is the garden, where the former profusion of flowers, plants, and unique potted landscapes can still be faintly imagined.

The entire architectural complex is laid out with rigorous symmetry, surrounded by tall walls that create an imposing, stable, and sealed-off living space—secure, tranquil, and comfortable. The residence is enclosed by high walls and screen walls, with a square watchtower at the southeast corner, featuring a pyramidal roof and standing nearly ten meters tall. The tower is equipped with observation and shooting holes, resembling vigilant eyes gleaming brightly. The overall design reflects a clear defensive intent, not only confirming its status as a self-defensive residence but also offering a glimpse into the turbulent social conditions from the late Qing Dynasty to the early Republican period.

During the land reform, the former residence of Qi Wenbao was allocated to descendants of the Qi family and local residents. Not long after, the then Geyao Township People's Government repurposed the main building as government office space; today, it serves as the office facility for the Geyao area of Haitou Town.

The Qi Wenbao Ancestral House embodies the fundamental styles of ancient folk architecture in eastern Zhejiang, showcasing the distinctive features of late Qing-era buildings in the region. The structure incorporates horse-head walls common in southern residences, as well as roofed firewalls atop the front and rear eaves. It includes both the classic one-courtyard, two-wing layout and varied styles such as garden-style and walled-yard dwellings. Architectural elements like beams, brackets, coffered ceilings, and lattice windows are adorned with carvings of auspicious motifs—such as mythical turtles, bats, qilins, running deer, beasts, and vividly sculpted human figures. Carved stone pedestals, patterned windows, painted designs, and traditional measuring tools in the courtyard further demonstrate the exceptional craftsmanship of the time. The integration of grey relief carving, stone carving, and wood carving within the residence highlights the extraordinary painting and sculpting skills of artisans back then.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units