Meizhu Ancient Village

Meizhu Ancient Village

Meizhu Village was first built during the Song Dynasty and has a history of nearly a thousand years. It is one of the first 40 key historical and cultural villages in Zhejiang Province to receive protection and utilization efforts. As you walk into the village, you can find numerous ancient buildings from the Ming, Qing, and Republic of China periods tucked away among the streets: a pond built during the Ming Dynasty that is still in use today; an ancient street paved with cobblestones, exquisitely crafted; uniquely designed sky-well wing rooms, high walls, exquisitely crafted upturned eaves and carved pavilions, window lattices, and towers—each detail filled with charm.

The ancient village faces south and is shaped like a boat. The Fei River flows from west to east along the street, with seven ponds distributed along its length, all connected to the river, commonly known as the Seven Star Ponds, making it very convenient for villagers to wash clothes. The rectangular Pond in front of the Village houses, covering more than two acres with a depth of 2–3 meters, is surrounded by stone walls, and along the street side, there are evenly spaced lotus pillars and stone railings. The water in this pond is crystal clear, with abundant and plump fish, and it enjoys a far-reaching reputation.

Meizhu Ancient Street is located between the Ancestral Hall of the Second Branch of the Huang Family and the Lower Temple, stretching about 300 meters from east to west. The street is paved with cobblestones, neat and smooth, with a total of 40 shops on both sides, all preserving their original appearance from the Qing and Republic of China periods. The buildings range from one to two stories, featuring either single-eaved or double-eaved roof designs, but the beams are all constructed using the traditional through-tenon method.

Meizhu is also one of the famous theater towns in Xinchang. From the Ming Dynasty to the Republic of China, there were many performers of genres such as Tiaoqiang opera, Zi Yun Ban (Luan Tan), and Hui Opera. During the Xianfeng period of the Qing Dynasty, folk artists performed stories and anecdotes using the tune of the “standing storytelling” style. Between 1913 and 1916, during the development of Yue Opera, Meizhu played a unique role. Led by brothers Huang Xiaoda and Huang Nieda (a martial male role performer), the villagers formed the Dedou Opera Troupe. This troupe was not only one of the earliest organized opera troupes in the county but also stood out among its peers at the time. Among them, Huang Xiaoda was especially renowned as an early famous comic role actor in Yue Opera in both Xinchang and Shengxian counties. He excelled in short-sleeved comic roles such as in “Selling Blue Charcoal” and “Embroidering a Perfume Pouch.” His portrayal of elderly women with coiled hairstyles, such as the mother-in-law character in “The Quarrel,” was considered peerless in the Yue Opera scene at the time. As soon as he lifted the curtain and made his appearance, it would provoke bursts of laughter. His humor, lifelike performance art, and clear, long-form singing performances were highly praised by audiences.

“In the human world, all fragrant blooms fade by April, but peach blossoms in mountain temples start to bloom.” In spring, the peach blossoms in Meizhu either bloom proudly in the wind or remain delicately in bud, filling the air with their fragrance. The blossoms stretch for miles, one cluster flowing into the next, like layers of pink clouds extending to the edge of the sky.

Therefore, be sure to visit Meizhu in March and April to witness a floral spectacle. Peach blossoms, rapeseed flowers, and wildflowers bloom vibrantly and gracefully, all bathed in the morning light, swaying and dancing gently in the spring breeze, like the delicate songs and dances of young maidens—simply enchanting…

Meizhu Cuisine:

Meizhu has over 300 years of brewing history and is a village known for its distinctive brewing culture. Meizhu Zao Shao (a type of liquor) is pure in quality, smooth on the palate, and richly aromatic, earning it the local nickname “Xinchang’s Maotai.”

The traditional craft of handmade tofu in Meizhu began in the late Song Dynasty and became popular in rural areas during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Meizhu Village is also the main hub of handmade tofu workshops in Meizhu Town. Despite challenges such as building renovations and a gradual decline in inheritors, there are still people who continue to pass down this craft day after day, making authentic handmade tofu.