The Zhou Family Ancient Residence

The Zhou Family Ancient Residence

The Zhou Family Ancient Residence

Originally constructed during the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty, the residence has a history of over 800 years. Although it has been repaired and rebuilt many times, it remains the most intact ancient dwelling in the Tongling region. Built against a mountain and by a stream, the Zhou Family Ancient Residence lies behind a limestone hill no higher than a hundred meters, where trees and flowers flourish year-round in rich greenery. In front flows a winding small river with crystal-clear, continuously running water. Covering an area of approximately 150 square meters, the residence is a classic example of traditional “four side rooms and two main halls” civilian architecture. It was mainly built using black bricks, small tiles, large bluestones, and century-old fir wood, featuring upturned eaves, intricate wooden brackets, white walls with black-tiled roofs, and double gable walls extending all the way to the top. The front and back are fitted with large double wooden doors, exemplifying the signature Huizhou architectural style. Ascending a wide 13-step staircase made of two-meter-large bluestones leads you to the platform in front of the residence’s grand entrance, which is also entirely built from carved bluestone. The foundation of the residence, the interior wall bases, and the circular bases of the wooden pillars in the east and west side rooms are all crafted from finely chiseled bluestone. The interior features a two-story structure with side rooms on the east and west, each consisting of three large rooms per floor — totaling 12 rooms across both levels — serving as the living quarters for the family. The walls, windows, floors, and ceilings of the side rooms are all made of fir wood planks. To enhance lighting and decoration, the windows and doors of the side rooms are adorned with exquisitely carved lattice patterns featuring motifs such as birds, flowers, fish, insects, bats, golden roosters, as well as Chinese characters symbolizing fortune (福), longevity (寿), happiness (喜), and wealth (财). The craftsmanship is extremely refined.

In the center of the residence’s interior lies a courtyard approximately 8 square meters in size, with an open roof above and a large bluestone pool of the same area built below. This courtyard serves two main purposes: to increase indoor brightness and air circulation, and to collect rainwater falling from above. This design not only symbolizes “gathering wealth,” but also helps regulate the indoor temperature. Rainwater collected in the courtyard pool can be used by the family for washing, and when not needed, it can be drained by opening a plug at the bottom of the pool. The unique architectural features of the Zhou Family Ancient Residence — including its courtyard, threshold stone, column weights, and “earth air conditioner” — are exceptionally rare and truly remarkable.