Shen’ao Ancient Village

Shen’ao Ancient Village

Shen’ao Village is located on the southern bank of the Yinqiaoxi Stream in the Fuchun River area, under the jurisdiction of Jiangnan Town, Tonglu County. It lies 16.5 kilometers west of the county seat, in a hilly region, with Tianzigang to the south and Huangshan Mountain to the east. The terrain is higher in the south and lower in the north. The Yinqiaoxi Stream connects five “China Traditional Villages”: Qingyuan, Huanxi, Xufan, Shen’ao, and Dipo, among which Shen’ao Village is a national-level historical and cultural village.

Shen’ao Ancient Village was first built during the Southern Song Dynasty, and its original layout and appearance have been well preserved, making it a provincial-level historical and cultural preservation district. There are over 140 ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, and more than 60 from the Republican era. These structures are plain on the outside but exquisite within, featuring highly detailed carvings. The well-preserved ancient water system from the Ming Dynasty holds certain scientific and cultural value, with some open ditches, hidden channels, and wells still in use today. The nearby ancient villages of Dipo, Xufan, and Huanxi also retain a wealth of cultural relics and historic sites. The surrounding area features lush mountains, beautiful scenery, and numerous natural landscapes, all set close to the Fuchun River.

The long-standing cultural traditions of Shen’ao Village stem from the founding efforts of the Shen family during the Southern Song Dynasty. As a clan-based settlement of the Shen family, over 95% of the villagers share the surname Shen, with a small minority surnamed Zhou, Ying, or Zhu. During the Ming Dynasty, the village planning incorporated a complete underground water system. The water source comes from mountain springs—crystal clear, sweet to the taste, cool in summer and warm in winter—and it remains a favored source of drinking water for the villagers to this day. The water inlets and usage points, known as “aos,” have become unique cultural landmarks of Shen’ao Village. In the local dialect, “ao” means “underground well,” and the deeply buried wells gave the village its name. Originally called Tongli, the village was later named Shen’ao after these underground wells.

Shen’ao Village is rectangular in shape, with an old street running through the center. The street is paved with cobblestones and has underground water channels built beneath it. The ancient village derives its name and lifeblood from water. Most villagers share the compound surname Shen, whose ancestors migrated from Shentu Mountain in Fuyang in the early Southern Song Dynasty. Over generations, they grew into a prominent local clan.

Walking through Shen’ao feels like “walking on water.” The ancestors channeled natural water sources to create a water system that has endured for hundreds, even thousands, of years—an example of “man-made yet seemingly created by nature.”

Another highlight of Shen’ao Village is the cluster of ancient residential buildings situated above the underground water system. These mainly date from the Ming and Qing dynasties and the Republican era, and are mostly located along the lanes on either side of the north-south oriented old street. The old street is about 200 meters long and only 3 meters wide. Built in the late Yuan and early Ming periods, it flourished during the Republican era. The buildings along the street, mostly constructed in the mid-to-late Qing Dynasty and during the Republican period, were primarily shops and earned the area the reputation of being a “Little Shanghai.” Today, there are over 140 ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing periods, and more than 60 from the Republican era. Both individual structures and the overall village layout are remarkably well preserved.

In addition to its surface and underground attractions, Shen’ao Village also preserves a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage: the traditional folk performance of high-altitude lion dancing. During festivals such as the Lantern Festival and temple fairs, villagers use this art form to add festive cheer.