Residential Houses in Nanjiazhuang

Residential Houses in Nanjiazhuang

The residential houses in Nanjiazhuang are designated as a Tianjin Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The residential houses in Nanjiazhuang are located at No. 31, Area 15, Nanjiazhuang Village, Xilonghuyu Town, Jixian District, Tianjin, dating back to the Qing Dynasty.

Nanjiazhuang Village in Jixian District, Tianjin, is a semi-mountainous area, about 140 kilometers from the city center. To the south of the village lies an extension of the Yanshan Mountain Range, while to the north runs the Ming-era water channel that diverts water from the Luan River to Tianjin. In this remote mountain village, there remains a typical Qing Dynasty residence, parts of which are still well preserved.

Nanjiazhuang Village was established during the Ming Dynasty. Initially, a family surnamed Jia from Wutai County, Shanxi, served under General Qi Jiguang, guarding Zunhua. A branch of the family settled at the foot of the Yanshan Mountains and named the village “Jiajiawopu” (Jia Family Shack), which was later renamed Nanjiazhuang.

The Qing Dynasty residential houses preserved in Nanjiazhuang were once the private residences of two brothers surnamed Sun, Sun Zhéchén and Sun Nǎichén. In the third year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, after completing their service in constructing the Eastern Qing Tombs, the two brothers settled in Nanjiazhuang and eventually became the second wealthiest family in Zunhua County at the time, owning over a hundred hectares of land.

The brothers originally owned two large, adjacent courtyards built with great care, each named “Guangyu Hall” and “Jiqing Hall.” Both courtyards featured inner courtyards, moon gates, and delicately crafted gate towers, along with thick, tall perimeter walls wide enough for people to walk on. The walls also included guard towers and gun ports for protection.

On January 5, 2013, they were announced by the Tianjin Municipal People’s Government as part of the fourth batch of Tianjin Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Tianjin Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Units