Huaotang

Huaotang

Huaotang still preserves the Imperial Book Tower, a rare Song Dynasty structure in rural Huizhou. It was a commemorative building specially constructed by Cheng Yuanfeng to display the six large characters “Ru Shuo, Zhao Guang, Qing Zhong” (Scholarly Eminence, Radiant Virtue, Pure Loyalty) bestowed by Emperor Lizong of Song in recognition of Cheng Yuanfeng. Intro

duction

Huaotang is located in the western suburbs of She County’s ancient city and is a pearl among She County’s ancient villages. Ancient wells, old trees, ancient pagodas, ancient memorial archways, and ancient dwellings are scattered throughout, exuding a strong Huizhou cultural charm. The entire village has nine ancient streets and lanes leading to a large ancient pond in the center, forming a “Nine Dragons Playing with a Pearl” layout. Within a one-kilometer radius, there is the first memorial archway cluster of Tangyue to the south and the second cluster of Choushu to the north. Within a ten-square-kilometer area around it, the total number of memorial archways accounts for over fifty percent of all those in She County.

Longxing Dui Dui Fang (Dragon Rise Sole Dialogue Archway), a stone memorial archway, is located in front of the former residence of Tang Zhongshi, a virtuous scholar from the early Ming Dynasty in Huaotang Village, She County. Tang Zhongshi, whose given name was Guifang but was known by his courtesy name, once served as the head of Ziyang Academy. In late 1358, when Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, visited Huizhou, he summoned virtuous scholars to discuss state affairs and talked with Tang Zhongshi about the way of governing the world. During the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty, the imperial court built this stone archway in honor of Tang Zhongshi. It features four pillars, three bays, and five stories, with a ridge decoration of a mythical dragon fish spout, bracket sets mimicking wooden structures under the overhanging eaves, and elaborately carved beams and spandrels. A pair of crouching lions stands on the plinths outside the two central pillars. The horizontal inscribed board bears the four characters “Longxing Dui Dui.” The dragon and phoenix plaque is inscribed with an article recording the dialogue between Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang and Tang Zhongshi.

Legend has it that during the Northern Song Dynasty, a scholar named Huaishan from the village went to the capital to take the imperial examination and became the top scholar, or zhuangyuan. To commemorate this, he planted a scholar tree (Sophora japonica) by the rectangular pond in the village. Later, it became a tradition in the village that families could plant a scholar tree by the pond if a member achieved success in the imperial exams or attained a high official position, as a symbol of honor. Due to the many talented individuals from Huaotang throughout history, scholar trees grew in groves by the pond, which is how the village got its name. A local saying goes: “Selling ceremonial tablets in Huaotang without knowing their origin or history,” referring to the village’s once glorious past. Later, during the Taiping Rebellion, the entire village was destroyed. After the reform and opening-up, more than 200 villagers went abroad to do business, making the village She County’s “Number One Overseas Chinese Village.” Ticket & Opening Hours

18 RMB (includes guide fee) Tra

nsportation

It is 4 km from Zhengcunkou Wutun Highway, 9 km from Huizhou City. A motorbike taxi costs 5 RMB. Alternatively, take bus route 4 to Tangyue Memorial Archway Cluster and walk from there.