Xia Mei Da Fu Di

Xia Mei Da Fu Di

Xia Mei Da Fu Di is a cultural relic protection unit of Fujian Province.

Xia Mei Da Fu Di is located in Xia Mei Village, Wuyi Subdistrict, Wuyishan City, dating back to the Qing Dynasty.

The Xia Mei Zou Family Da Fu Di was built by Zou Yingzhang, the first-generation pioneer of the Tea Road, to celebrate his 60th birthday. At the time, Zou Yingzhang was granted the honorary title of Zhongxian Daifu due to his son Zou Maoxuan, hence the name “Da Fu Di.” The plaque and couplet on the gate were inscribed by Wang Jie, a Grand Secretary and leading minister of the Qing court during the Qianlong and Jiaqing reigns.

At that time, four houses were built side by side, all interconnected through multiple doorways, forming a single architectural complex. Among them, Da Fu Di is the central structure, with an actual floor area of over 3,000 square meters, a total length of more than 100 meters, and a maximum width of over 40 meters. The other buildings served as studies, guest rooms, and auxiliary rooms.

Da Fu Di is most famous for its brick carvings, stone carvings, and wood carvings. While incorporating the characteristics of Huizhou-style architecture from the Qing Dynasty, it also underwent many modifications and developments based on the local features of Wuyishan. Among them, a double-sided hollow brick carving in the small Fan Chuan backyard garden is the most intact, exquisite, and largest surviving set of brick carvings in China, demonstrating extremely high artistic value. The garden also houses a podocarpus tree over 300 years old, standing more than ten meters tall—arguably the largest potted plant in China. In addition, many other preserved carvings and Qing Dynasty furniture possess significant cultural heritage value.

Currently, the Zou Family Da Fu Di is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list, serving as a testament to the glorious history of the Tea Road.

Due to the conferment of the Zhongxian Daifu title, it came to be known as Da Fu Di. The mansion is most renowned for its brick carvings, stone carvings, and wood carvings, blending the features of Qing Dynasty Huizhou-style architecture while also adapting and developing based on the local characteristics of Wuyishan. The descendants of the Zou family still reside here today, making it a living witness to the glorious history of the Tea Road.

Xia Mei Da Fu Di has been designated as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit.

Xia Mei Village: Located east of the Wuyishan Scenic Area, Xia Mei Village is just a 6-kilometer drive from the resort district. It boasts a long history, rich cultural heritage, and deep cultural deposits.

The village preserves over 30 ancient residential buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, built along the stream. These include mansions of wealthy merchants, residences of officials, and schools of scholars. The most representative structures are: Zou Family Da Fu Di, Zou Family Ancestral Hall, Cheng Family Recluse Residence, Xi Shui Villa, and Fang Family Can Jun Di, among others. These buildings are mainly constructed with brick and wood, featuring east pavilions, west wings, towers, terraces, courtyards, and gardens—all exquisitely laid out with exceptional craftsmanship.

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