Xiamei Village

Xiamei Village

Xiamei at Wuyi Mountain: Seeking the Lingering Tea Aroma of Centuries Ago

Xiamei, a small village at the foot of Wuyi Mountain, is located 4 kilometers east of the Wuyi Mountain Scenic Area and is part of the Wuyi Mountain cultural heritage. The village gets its name from its location downstream of the Meixi (Plum Stream). During the Kangxi and Qianlong reigns of the Qing Dynasty, Xiamei was once a bustling tea market for Wuyi Mountain and enjoyed great prosperity.

Meixi: Xiamei’s prosperity in those days stemmed from the tea market, and waterways were the lifeblood of the village. Roads were not built until 1958. Meixi, flowing beside the village, has long served as the vital transportation route connecting Xiamei to Wuyi Town and even overseas. The Dangxi Stream, which flows into Meixi, cuts through the village, dividing Xiamei into northern and southern sections. The over 900-meter-long Dangxi is actually an artificial canal, planned and constructed during the Kangxi era specifically to support the tea market. It featured nine docks along its length. On both banks of the Dangxi were northern and southern streets, lined with railings along the water where people could sit or lean. Numerous small stone bridges spanned the stream, facilitating easy movement. Meixi divides Xiamei Village into northern and southern sections.

Qing Dynasty Ancient Residences: If the streams are the veins of Xiamei, then the various buildings and residences along them are the village’s bones. There are still more than 30 ancient dwellings that retain the architectural characteristics of the Qing Dynasty. Many of the preserved ancestral halls and homes are relatively intact, such as the Zou Family Ancestral Hall, the Fang Family Military Official Mansion, and the Recluse’s Residence. Among these, the most noteworthy is the Zou Family Mansion, which boasts grand architecture, exquisite carvings, and remains well-preserved. Even today, descendants of the Zou family still live in this large, traditional compound.

Most of the ancient residential complexes in Xiamei were built during the Qianlong era, primarily consisting of private homes, along with facilities for education, leisure, and entertainment. These residences are mainly built with brick and wood structures, utilizing cantilevered beams and reduced columns to expand interior space. Homes typically have two main halls and three or four courtyards, complete with eastern pavilions, western wings, studies, and terraces. The exteriors are dominated by tall firewalls, many of which are adorned with continuous painted patterns of refined elegance. Each residence is equipped with interconnected underground drainage channels. The layout of the houses is thoughtfully arranged, with winding alleys and secluded lanes.

Brick Carvings: In Xiamei, every residence features exquisitely carved brick decorations on its gateways, symbolizing wealth and grandeur. These carvings often depict historical figures, folk scenes, or mythological legends, all intricately crafted and remarkably lifelike. The finest examples can be found at the Zou Family Ancestral Hall and the Zou Family Mansion. In addition to human figures, the carvings also include flowers, birds, landscapes, and utensils, all integrated into cohesive designs.

Wood carving art is mainly seen on windows, featuring elegant and auspicious motifs of animals, plants, and figures. To this day, many of the ancient residences still preserve exquisite window carvings. Visiting the ancient dwellings of Xiamei offers visitors a chance to appreciate the style and charm of Qing Dynasty folk architecture.

Hiking Route

Starting from the Wuyishan National Resort Area (San’gu), take the Zhanbei Road north for 4 kilometers until you see the Xiamei directional sign, then continue east for 3 kilometers to reach Xiamei. Alternatively, starting from downtown Wuyishan, turn onto Zhanbei Road and go south for 5 kilometers, look for the Xiamei directional sign, then head east for another 3 kilometers to get to Xiamei.

Transportation

Take a minibus or van from the bus stop at the roundabout in front of Haicheng Hotel in downtown area, costing about 3–5 RMB.

You can rent a motorcycle from the Wuyi Mountain Scenic Area for a round trip at about 50 RMB.

Admission Fee

60 RMB

Location

12 kilometers southeast of Wuyishan City, Nanping, Fujian Province

Xiamei Village: Located east of the Wuyi Mountain Scenic Area, Xiamei Village is just 6 kilometers from the resort area. With a long history and rich cultural heritage, it boasts profound cultural accumulation.

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 for scholars. The most representative complexes include the Zou Family Mansion, Zou Family Ancestral Hall, Cheng Family Recluse’s Residence, Xishui Villa, and Fang Family Military Official Mansion. These buildings are primarily made of brick and wood, featuring eastern pavilions, western wings, terraces, gardens, and meticulously designed layouts with exquisite craftsmanship.

… Detailed information on Xiamei Village ++