Guifeng Ancient Village

Guifeng Ancient Village

Guifeng Ancient Village is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

China's Famous Historical and Cultural Village — Guifeng, located in the northeast of Yangzhong Town, Youxi County, Fujian Province, boasts significant transportation advantages. The Beijing–Fuzhou Expressway runs right in front of the village, which is only 12 kilometers from the Yangzhong interchange and just over 90 kilometers from the provincial capital, Fuzhou. The village has 334 households, a population of 1,207, and 10 villager groups. There are 39 well-preserved ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, covering a protected area of 13 hectares, with ancient residential buildings spanning 26,000 square meters, making it one of the few ancient architectural villages in the province. At an elevation of 599 meters, it lies in a semi-mountainous valley. Surrounded by mountains and shrouded in mist, the area features lush greenery, clear waters, and a pleasant climate. Historically, it was praised as the "Mountain of Scholars" and the "Fairyland in the Clouds." In June 2007, it was designated as a "China Famous Historical and Cultural Village" by the Ministry of Construction and the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, and in January 2010, it was awarded the title of "Provincial Rural Tourism Demonstration Site" by the Provincial Tourism Bureau.

— Guifeng Has a Long History. Since the ninth-generation descendant of the Northern Song Dynasty eminent official Cai Xiang, Cai Chang, established the settlement here in the seventh year of the Chunyou era (1247) during the Southern Song Dynasty, it has been over 760 years. In the mid-to-late Southern Song Dynasty, when northern China was invaded by the Jin army and the Southern Song court retreated to the southeast, the political, economic, and cultural center of China also shifted southward. As a descendant of a distinguished family, Cai Chang followed ancestral teachings to live in seclusion, farm, and value education. Guifeng became his ideal first choice. Later, an official road from Youxi to Fuzhou passed through Guifeng, making it the only stopover and lodging spot for local officials, merchants, and boatmen traveling between the inland areas of Youxi and Fuzhou. This spurred rapid prosperity, earning it the nickname "Little Fuzhou." "Four inns sought after, five-step towers in view, music and songs in every home, a dreamy place travelers never want to leave, glancing back three times as they depart" — this verse vividly depicts the scene of Guifeng at that time. Over several centuries, the descendants of the Cai family worked diligently and created a refined culture, establishing Guifeng as a prestigious clan within hundreds of miles. The architectural style of the entire village is built along the contours of the mountains, spread across the three slopes surrounding the village, layered and well arranged. With small bridges, flowing streams, winding alleys, and hidden paths, the scenery changes at every turn, truly like stepping into a dreamlike paradise. Many experts and scholars who have visited Guifeng have marveled, saying, "Every house holds culture, every street is history."

— Guifeng Boasts Beautiful Scenery. Among the recorded sights are the "Eight Scenic Spots of Guifeng," as well as the ancient Zhongshan Temple (also known as Zishou Temple) at the foot of Zishou Ridge, which flourished with hundreds of monks at its peak. These attractions are either naturally formed, fresh and unspoiled, or artificially crafted, elegant and graceful. They have attracted countless literati and poets throughout history, leaving behind hundreds of poems and verses recorded in the Cai family genealogy. The most poetic spot is the "Moon over the Inkstone Bridge" area in the village center, surrounded by taverns, shops, and workshops, filled with the aroma of wine, meat, and flowers. Being there feels like witnessing the past prosperity of Guifeng. Guifeng also features natural landscapes such as Shijing Mountain, the Grand Canyon, and three major defensive gateways. On crisp autumn nights, under bright moonlight, with rich floral scents, murmuring streams, and chirping cicadas, visitors feel as if they’ve stepped into a fairy-tale painting.

— Guifeng Is Blessed with Remarkable People. The Cai family has thrived in Guifeng for 34 generations since Cai Chang, with descendants spreading out to settle across various regions. Following ancestral teachings of farming and valuing education, the family placed particular emphasis on literature and scholarship, maintaining a strong scholarly tradition through the ages. Existing study rooms from the Ming and Qing periods include the "Jade Spring Study," "Panyue Study," and "Houmenshan Study." Many examination success announcements posted on the walls are still faintly visible. Among the thirty-some ancient buildings of varying architectural styles and time periods, one common thread stands out: they all emphasize a cultural refinement that blends scholar, official, and merchant values, subtly educating future generations and exerting a profound influence. Historical records show that during the Ming and Qing dynasties, three individuals passed the imperial examination (jinshi), twelve became juren (successful candidates in the provincial exams), forty-one were imperial tribute students, twenty-nine attended the Imperial University, and four hundred twelve were xiucai (local degree holders). These historical and cultural figures have left a rich cultural legacy and a cherished spirit of valuing learning and scholarship in the region.

Address: Located in the northeast of Youxi County, Yangzhong Town, just 12 kilometers from the Beijing–Fuzhou Expressway interchange.