Xidan Ancient Residential Buildings

Xidan Ancient Residential Buildings

Commonly known as the Five-Courtyard Official Hall, Xidan Ancient Residential Buildings are located in Xidan Village, ShenTu Town. They were built by Lin Yandeng, a palace guard from the Qing Dynasty and a member of the Xidan family, and have a history of nearly 200 years. They are listed as a cultural heritage site under the protection of Zhangpu County. The main layout of Xidan Ancient Residential Buildings follows a nine-courtyard, five-section structure, which is grand in scale and compact in design, reflecting the prosperity and unity of the family.

It is said that during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, a prominent merchant from Zhangzhou named Lin Bang once opened 13 silk thread shops across Zhangzhou. One day, while traveling outside, Lin Bang passed through Xidan Village just as the weather turned bad, so he took shelter from the wind and rain in the Temple of the Earth God. While resting, the Earth God appeared to him in a dream, asking him to reclaim the land in Xidan Village. Upon waking, Lin Bang immediately sought out a feng shui master to assess the area’s auspiciousness, and then relocated his entire family to Xidan Village to establish a community. In the 14th year of the Jiaqing reign (1809), Lin Bang’s descendant, Lin Yindeng, passed the imperial martial arts examination and became a palace guard. After retiring, Lin Yindeng built the present-day Xidan Ancient Residential Buildings.

This Five-Courtyard Official Hall consists of a main residence and six sets of wing rooms. The entire architectural complex is neatly arranged and staggered in layout, with the wing rooms interconnected with each other and with the main residence, facilitating internal family interactions and management. The main residence is divided into four sections: the entrance hall, the second hall, the main hall, and the rear hall, spanning five bays in width and two to three bays in depth. The roof features a flush gable design, with interior beams structured in a post-and-lintel system and built using bracket sets. The intricate carvings and painted beams make it exceptionally beautiful. The orderly layout and architectural style of the “Five-Courtyard Official Hall” reflect the exquisite craftsmanship of Southern Fujian architecture and embody the refined elegance of official families from that era. In front of the main residence lies a semicircular brick courtyard, and about 50 meters to the right of the courtyard stands a stage. On the 13th day of the fifth lunar month each year, this venue hosts lively performances of Zhangzhou opera and ceremonial activities.

Xidan Ancient Residential Buildings may not boast the splendor of imperial palaces, but rather offer the gentle tranquility of a small bridge over flowing water; they may lack extravagant decorations, but are adorned with unique touches; they may not exude an overwhelming dominance, but carry the refined grace of a noble family. Stepping into Xidan Ancient Residential Buildings is like entering a sanctuary for the soul, allowing you to experience the distinctive charm of an ancient village.

ShenTu Town: Located in the southeastern part of Zhangpu County, ShenTu Town borders Huxi and Chitu townships to the north, Chihu Town to the east, Jiuzhen Town to the west, Zhuyu Salt Field and Liulao Town to the south, and faces the waters of General Bay to the southeast. The terrain is higher in the north and lower in the south, with Dongping Village in the north situated at the base of the main peak of Zao Mountain (elevation 580 meters), while the southern part around ShenTu Village consists of coastal alluvial plains. The town covers a total area of 701 square kilometers and has an 84-kilometer-long coastline.

ShenTu Town is a major agricultural hub. The town has a total of 40,064 acres of arable land. In recent years, efforts have been strengthened to develop agricultural infrastructure, with a focus on water conservancy projects. The town has implemented initiatives with a total investment of... More details about ShenTu Town++