Huangtian Yangchuan House

Huangtian Yangchuan House

Huangtian Yangchuan House is a cultural relic protection unit of Anhui Province.

Huangtian Yangchuan House is located in Langqiao Town, Jing County. Having endured the winds and rains of all four seasons and the frosts and snows of the years, the Yangchuan House still retains its classic charm and timeless elegance. The gray bricks and black tiles whisper the twists and turns of history through their aged serenity, bearing witness to the ingenuity of its owners. As you explore the unique allure exuded by the Yangchuan House, you will be deeply moved by a kind of beauty.

The Yangchuan House is situated within Huangtian Township, Jing County. Its shape closely resembles that of a steamship, which is why people call it the Yangchuan House. In the mid-Qing Dynasty, steamships had just begun appearing at ports like Shanghai, yet in the remote and isolated mountainous area of Huangtian, such an ingeniously designed and uniquely structured Yangchuan House had already been built — truly a marvel.

The Yangchuan House, also known as Duceng Hall, was built in the late Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty. It is surrounded by high walls on all sides, with deep ditches on both sides. Both the enclosing wall and the main structure were constructed in the shape of a steamship, following the natural terrain. The “bow” is sharply angled, with the tip of the courtyard wall slightly upturned. The garden and the private school inside the courtyard do not rise above the wall, nor do they show significant height differences, except for the “Meijia Village Schoolhouse,” which has two floors — its upper level protrudes above the wall, resembling the “bridge” or control cabin of a ship. The midsection of the hull consists of tall residential buildings and halls, massive in volume and resembling “passenger cabins.” The walls around the horse stable and kitchen areas feature high, cascading horse-head walls, designed to shield the enclosed structures. The Fengzi River, originating from the Huangshan Mountain Range, flows swiftly along the deep ditches dug on both sides of the Yangchuan House. From a high vantage point, the Yangchuan House looks like a “steamship” sailing upstream. After enduring more than 150 years of wind, rain, waves, and erosion, this massive and peculiar “steamship” continues to “sail” along the Fengzi River.

The Yangchuan House was built out of filial piety. During the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty, Zhu Yiqiao and his son Zhu Zonghuai, salt merchants from Huangtian, conducted business in Shanghai and amassed great wealth. They were also exposed to many new things. Whenever they returned home, they would share tales of the outside world’s customs and curious anecdotes. After hearing descriptions of “foreign steamships,” Zhu Yiqiao’s mother and wife expressed a strong desire to see one. However, due to poor transportation and the physical constraints of foot-binding, they were unable to travel and never fulfilled their wish. Deeply filial, Zhu Yiqiao, in order to realize his mother’s long-cherished dream, discussed with his son the construction of a building shaped like a large steamship — the Yangchuan House.

The Yangchuan House currently consists of over 20 buildings and auxiliary structures, covering a total area of more than 4,200 square meters. The houses within the compound are staggered in layout, with quiet, crisscrossing lanes. The residential area and the front and rear gardens are intricately and flexibly arranged, with undulating paths. The space includes hills, ponds, flowers, and trees in a spacious and pleasant arrangement; pavilions, towers, and terraces exude an antique charm.

Beside the Yangchuan House, there is also a group of traditional residential buildings that complement it. This complex consists of three main courtyards and auxiliary rooms, featuring a front yard with a stone-paved drying terrace outside the gate. From a distance, the complex resembles a waiting room, and the terrace looks like a dock where the steamship might moor.

In May 1998, the Yangchuan House was designated as a provincial-level cultural relics protection unit by the Anhui Provincial Government.

Langqiao Town: Located in the southeastern part of Jing County, Langqiao Town is 28 kilometers north of the county seat and borders Jingde County to the south. National Highway 205 runs through the town, placing it at the center point between the Huangshan and Jiuhua Mountain scenic areas. The town covers a total area of 331 square kilometers, governs 12 villages and 1 community neighborhood committee, and has a total population of 38,000. The town center spans 1.6 square kilometers, with a permanent population of 6,000 and a radiation population of 100,000, making it one of the central towns in Anhui Province. The area boasts well-developed infrastructure including transportation, water, electricity, and communication, as well as comprehensive services such as industry and commerce, taxation, public security, power supply, finance, land administration, and urban construction… More details about Langqiao Town++