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Tangyue Ancient Residential Buildings

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The Tangyue Ancient Residential Buildings are located in Tangyue Village, Zhengcun Town, about 7.5 kilometers southwest of She County. These ancient residences were built during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Key structures are introduced as follows: Xinsuyuzhai and Cunyangshanzhuang: Constructed during the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty, these were side halls of the "Zunxuntang" residence — the former home of Bao Qiyun, younger brother of Bao Zhidao, the top salt merchant of the Two Huai Regions. The complex is divided into southern and northern sections: the south part is Xinsuyuzhai, and the north part is Cunyangshanzhuang, separated by a large decorative screen wall. The total area covers 418.8 square meters. Both are two-story buildings. The study has three bays; the lower floor serves as a hall, with a plaque inscribed in seal script by the Qing calligrapher Hu Changgeng. The mountain retreat also has three bays, featuring a relatively spacious front courtyard. There is a side room on the east that connects to the study, with a plaque inscribed by the Qing calligrapher Wang Wenzhi.

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The Tangyue Ancient Residential Buildings are a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Tangyue Ancient Residential Buildings

Located in Tangyue Village, Zhengcun Town, about 7.5 kilometers southwest of She County, these ancient residences were built during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Major structures are introduced as follows:

Xinsuyuzhai and Cunyangshanzhuang: Built during the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty, this architectural complex originally had 108 rooms and 36 courtyards, making it one of the famed mansions in Huizhou. The surviving Baiguo Hall of Baoyitang was one of the original three main halls. This hall faces north, has three bays, and is surrounded by corridors on the front, left, and right sides, with a central courtyard. It covers an area of 178.6 square meters. Outside the main gate is a spacious front courtyard. To the west of the hall lies a firebreak alley that divides the building complex into two parts. The main hall is entirely built from ginkgo wood. Although the material is not lavish, it is refined and elegant. Baoyitang once housed the “Ansu Study,” famous for engraving the “Ansu Calligraphy Model.” The owners were Bao Zhidao and his son Bao Shufang, both top salt merchants of the Two Huai Regions.

Baoyitang: Built in the early years of the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty, this building complex originally had 108 rooms and 36 courtyards, and was a renowned mansion in the Huizhou region. The extant Baiguo Hall of Baoyitang was one of the original three main halls. This hall faces north, has three bays, and is surrounded by corridors on the front, left, and right, with a courtyard in the center. It covers an area of 178.6 square meters. Outside the main gate is a large front courtyard. To the west of the hall is a fire-prevention lane that divides the building complex into two sections. The main hall is built entirely of ginkgo wood. Though the timber is not large in size, the construction is refined and exquisite. Baoyitang once had a study called “Ansu Study,” which became widely known for carving the “Ansu Calligraphy Model.” The house was owned by Bao Zhidao and Bao Shufang, the father-and-son salt transport magnates of the Two Huai regions.

Bidexiu Residence (including He Zhenbao Residence): A Ming Dynasty structure, built with a brick-and-wood frame, it is a two-story building with a square-shaped floor plan resembling a “official’s measuring container,” commonly known as “Guanshengge.” It is 6 meters wide and 8.6 meters deep, facing south with the back to the north. The northeast bay serves as the entrance hall, the northwest bay as living quarters, and the southeast bay also functions as a kitchen area, with stairs leading to the upper floor. The ground floor is relatively low, with architraves shaped like crescent beams, and with bracket arms at both ends. The upper level is supported by closely spaced joists bearing the floorboards. Partitioning on the upper floor includes wattle-and-daub walls and single-board-single-rail methods. The roof frames are all post-and-lintel style, with column capitals featuring the unique “eagle-beak tenon” technique of the Ming Dynasty. In front, there are three-tiered bracket arms extending out to support the eaves, proving that the current facade wall was a later addition. This residence was typical of civilian homes at the time and holds special value for studying Ming Dynasty architecture in Huizhou.

Cheng Suilin, Bi Shunsheng, and Jiang Zhonglai Residences: Located in Tiandeng Lane, before land reform, these belonged to Bao Minggao. The site is divided into three linked three-sided courtyard houses. The front house is a Qing Dynasty structure; the latter two are from the mid-to-late Ming Dynasty. Each residence connects through the front and rear sections, with each bay having three rooms over two stories, and featuring simple structures without excessive ornamentation. The middle house (now Cheng Suilin’s residence) was built in the mid-Ming Dynasty and features a Ming-style brick-carved door hood. The house has fine components such as bracket arms, column bases, brick drain pipes, and gutters, making it a typical example of early village dwellings.

Cun’ai Hall (Five Generations Under One Roof): Originally built before the Ming Chenghua era, it was the ancestral home of the filial son Bao Can’s father. The current structure was rebuilt in the early Qing Dynasty. During the Jiaqing era, Bao Jicheng’s wife was honored by the Jiaqing Emperor with a plaque reading “Five Generations Under One Roof” for her virtuous management of the household. The house faces south, has three bays, and extends through four courtyards. Behind the residence was once a family shrine. The main halls were originally built using nanmu wood, with large timber dimensions, though the first three courtyards remain well-preserved.

“Gate of Filial Piety” (Shendezhuang): This residence was originally the rear hall of the Song Dynasty home of Bao Zongyan. The front gatehouse once displayed a plaque reading “Gate of Filial Piety,” hence the name. The residence originally faced the front street and had a garden. The current “Shendezhuang” was built in the Qing Dynasty. The front section is now gone, leaving only two courtyards. The main section faces south, but the gate faces east. The gate frame is made of Yixian bluestone, and the gate hood features refined brick carvings. The interior is exquisitely decorated. The owners were descendants of Bao Zhidao, the top salt official.

Congxin Hall (Lower New House): Built in 1806 (the 11th year of the Jiaqing reign), it served as a new main hall built after Cun’ai Hall, named “Congxin” (Following the Heart) with hopes that future generations would work together to prosper the family. The hall’s main gate features delicate brick carvings depicting the Four Arts and the Eight Immortals. The hall has three bays and is built as a quadrangle. In front of the hall is a courtyard.

Jingsi Hall: Built during the Jiaqing era by Bao Shufang, it is a two-story, three-bay quadrangle building. The main gate faces east and is adorned with a brick-carved gate hood. In front is a small courtyard paved with blue flagstones, quiet and spacious. This courtyard connects to a long, deep north-south alley. At the south end of the courtyard is a high staircase leading to the back street, while the north end of the alley connects to the front street. Along the alley were 14 rooms and 7 courtyards on each side. Jingsi Hall is one of only two remaining well-preserved Baiguo Halls in Tangyue.

(1) Ancestral Tomb Site of the Bao Family.

Protected Area: 10 meters outside the residential foundation boundaries — 10 meters south to Qianjie, 10 meters north, 10 meters east to Zhangshuyuan, and up to Ba’an’ai Hall to the west.

Construction Control Zone: 30 meters beyond the protected area in all directions (east, south, west, north).

(2) Shewutan Ming-era Residence (including Bidexiu and He Zhenbao Residences).

Protected Area: 10 meters outside the residential foundation boundaries — 10 meters east, south, west, and 10 meters north to Qianjie.

Construction Control Zone: 30 meters beyond the protected area in all directions (east, south, west, north).

(3) Tiandeng Lane Ming–Qing Residences (including Cheng Suilin, Bi Shunsheng, and Jiang Zhonglai Residences).

Protected Area: 20 meters south to Houjie, 10 meters east, 20 meters north, and 10 meters west to Tiandeng Lane.

Construction Control Zone: 30 meters beyond the protected area in all directions (east, south, west, north).

(4) Qianjie Ming-era Residence.

Protected Area: 10 meters outside the residential foundation boundaries — 10 meters south to Qianjie, 10 meters east to Cun’ai Hall, 10 meters north to Houhuayuan, and 10 meters west.

Construction Control Zone: 30 meters beyond the protected area in all directions (east, south, west, north).

(5) Cun’ai Hall.

Protected Area: 10 meters outside the residential foundation boundaries — 10 meters south to Qianjie, 10 meters east to the Ancestral Tomb of the Bao Family, 10 meters north to Houhuayuan, and 10 meters west to the alley.

Construction Control Zone: 30 meters beyond the protected area in all directions (east, south, west, north).

(6) Congxin Hall.

Protected area: Outside the house foundation, 10 meters to the south, 10 meters to the east extending to Bi Dexiu’s residence, 10 meters to the north up to the outer edge of Qian Street, and 10 meters to the west up to the lane.