Shen'ao Architectural Complex

Shen'ao Architectural Complex

The Shen'ao Architectural Complex is a cultural heritage site protected by Zhejiang Province.

The Shen'ao Architectural Complex is located in Jiangnan Town, Tonglu County, dating from the Ming Dynasty to the Republican era.

The ancient buildings of Shen'ao Village are known for their long history, concentrated layout, well-preserved state, and refined design. As you walk into the village along the mossy stone path, the marks of history and the passage of time reveal themselves step by step with your slow pace.

Shen'ao Village has a very long history, with documented origins dating back to the early Southern Song Dynasty. It was primarily formed by the relocation of the Shentu clan to Tongxi, and it has a history of over a thousand years. The ancestors of the Shentu clan had highly advanced concepts—they prioritized the planning of the village’s water system when laying out the settlement. The villagers live close to the water, with Yingjia Stream winding through the eastern part of the village, while Yangpo Stream flows on the western side. This stream diverts water from upstream of Yingjia Stream and can be used for irrigation during normal times. In the event of mountain floods, it helps divert excess water. Surface ditches in the village are used to drain rainwater and domestic sewage, while underground channels, buried three to four meters deep, serve as the water supply system. These channels are two meters high and about 1.5 meters wide, with arched ceilings entirely built from pebbles, channeling spring water from the mountains. Even today, the water remains clear and fresh. For easy access to water, water platforms—known locally as "Ao"—are built at regular intervals, with stone steps leading down to the water’s surface, somewhat resembling the "Karez" wells of Xinjiang. The name of the village, Shen’ao, originates from these “Ao.”

Shen’ao’s village water system is an independent water supply and drainage network, consisting of five interconnected layers: streams, underground channels, open ditches, wells, and ponds. Each component functions independently yet is interrelated, effectively managing both surface and groundwater resources. It separates drinking water, domestic water, and wastewater, ensuring that water remains in constant flow. This reflects an environmentally conscious approach to water utilization, and in practice, it mitigates the damage caused by stream flooding and groundwater overflow to the village.

The overall layout of Shen’ao’s ancient buildings developed gradually based on this well-designed water system. In Shen’ao, there is an old street over 200 meters long, running from north to south with a width of about 3 meters. With latticed windows, low eaves, thick and heavy wooden plank doors, and alleyways paved with pebbles, the old street is filled with rhythm and local character. The old street winds through the village along the Ao (water channel), twisting and turning, serene and quaint. The surrounding buildings were constructed in the mid-to-late Qing Dynasty and during the Republican era, mostly shops and workshops. It was once a trading hub for the surrounding areas, and though some remain as shops and workshops today, many have been restored with a blend of vintage charm and modern aesthetics, creating a leisure pedestrian street that attracts many visitors.

Shen’ao Village boasts numerous ancient buildings, including over 140 from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and more than 60 from the Republican era. Among them, 26 structures such as Gongsi Hall, Huaisu Hall, and Jingsong Hall have been designated as cultural heritage protection sites. In 2007, it was named a National Historical and Cultural Village. In 2017, the Shen’ao Ancient Architectural Complex was listed as a provincial-level cultural heritage site by the People's Government of Zhejiang Province.

Shen’ao Village: Located in Shen’ao Town, Tonglu, Shen’ao Village lies 20 kilometers from the county seat of Tonglu, with National Highway 320 passing through it. Centered around the ancient Shen’ao Village, it also includes three other villages: Xufan, Huansi, and Dipo. The total area is 10.5 hectares (with Shen’ao Ancient Village covering 7.5 hectares). These four villages are aligned in a row along the western bank of Yingjia Stream.

Historically, Shen’ao and Dipo were collectively referred to as Shenpu. The Shen’ao Old Street, stretching over 200 meters from north to south with a width of about 3 meters, was originally paved with pebbles but has since been replaced with cement. The surrounding buildings, dating from the mid-to-late Qing Dynasty and the Republican era, were mostly shops, forming a commercial center for the nearby area... (More detailed information on Shen’ao Village++)

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units