Ancient Architectural Complex of Longtanzhai

Ancient Architectural Complex of Longtanzhai

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Longtanzhai is a cultural relic protection unit of Anhui Province.

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Longtanzhai is located in Longtan Group, Longtanzhai Village, Tangquan Township, Taihu County, Anqing City, Anhui Province.

The residents mostly have the surname “Hu,” with over 90 households, a population of more than 500, over 600 houses, and a total built-up area of approximately 7,000 square meters. The overall distribution area of the village complex spans about 1.2 square kilometers. This architectural ensemble is distributed along both banks of the Longtan River and is divided into three parts: ordinary residences, main halls, and ancestral halls.

Wufu Bridge: Constructed in the first year of the Shunzhi era, it was funded and built by Hu Shangduo leading the clan, and named Wufu Bridge. Its name signifies five blessings: the first is “longevity,” the second “prosperity,” the third “health and peace,” the fourth “virtue,” and the fifth “a peaceful death.” The bridge is 10 meters long and 3 meters wide, with both ends built atop stone cliffs and entirely constructed from squared stones.

Huawu Hall: A five-bay structure, one-entry two-courtyard design, facing southeast and situated northwest, with a built-up area of approximately 315 square meters and horse-head walls. The upper section features a wooden plaque with an intaglio carving that reads “Teaching Extends to Suzhou and Huzhou”; the lower section has a plaque inscribed with “Wen Ding Governs Huizhou.”

Ordinary residential buildings feature a small gray-tiled brick-and-wood structure with stone foundations, and are interconnected by narrow corridors and passageways. Villages are linked by bluestone-paved roads and bridges. The main halls and ancestral halls also have a small gray-tiled brick-and-wood structure with stone foundations, incorporating wood carvings, stone carvings, and brick carvings. The ancestral halls have a small gray-tiled brick-and-wood structure with stone foundations, using column-and-lintel framing and latticed wooden windows, with carvings of dragons, phoenixes, figures, and floral and bird motifs on spandrels, beams, brackets, and diagonal braces. It consists of six self-contained ancient villages—Tangxinwu, Zhuandqiaowu, Huawu, Laowu, Shangwu, and Longtanwu—and one Hu Clan Ancestral Hall. There are four ancient stone bridges: Wufu Bridge, Anding Bridge, Yongfu Bridge, and Longtan Bridge. Wufu Bridge, originally built in the Ming Dynasty, also served as the only passage connecting the mountain stronghold to the outside world. Red slogans from the period when the 28th Red Army established the Dabie Mountain Revolutionary Base and from the Cultural Revolution remain preserved on the fortress walls.

Protected Area: The main bodies of the various ancient architectural complexes and ancestral halls.

Construction Control Zone: A 15-meter perimeter extending beyond the protected area.

Longtanzhai Village: Section One – Natural Conditions

I. Geographic Location

Longtanzhai Village in Tangquan Township is located in the northeastern border area of Taihu County, Anhui Province. It borders Qianshan County to the east, is backed by the mountains and waters of Yuexi County to the north, adjoins Siquan Town of the same county to the south, and neighbors Zhuan Village of the same township to the west. It is a typical region of the Dabie Mountains, situated 17 kilometers from Huating Lake Scenic Area, 40 kilometers from Tianzhu Mountain Scenic Area, and 6 kilometers from Chiba Highway.

II. Topography and Landform

The village covers a total area of 12 square kilometers, with a rectangular overall terrain and relatively high elevation, featuring beautiful mountain scenery and murmuring streams... Detailed information on Longtanzhai Village++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Relics Protection Units in Anqing City