Jixia Architectural Complex

Jixia Architectural Complex

The Jixia Architectural Complex is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Era: Qing Dynasty

Address: Jixia Village, Gantang Township, Pingnan County, Ningde City, Fujian Province

Jixia Village is a nationally designated historical and cultural village and the ancestral home of the Qing Dynasty military hero Gan Guobao. The Jixia Architectural Complex features a rich variety, large quantity, and considerable scale. It is distributed along both banks of the Jishui Stream and mainly includes Ming Dynasty city walls, road shelters, wells, temples, ancestral halls, and ancient bridges. These structures are typically adorned with painted decorations and inscriptions, forming an integrated group of ancient buildings. The craftsmanship is exquisite, making it a typical representation of the spatial distribution and quantitative configuration of public architecture in traditional ancient villages.

The village faces west and is backed by eastward-facing houses built along the mountains and streams. The entire ancient settlement is laid out in the shape of a mortar (“臼”), surrounded by mountains on all sides with two streams running through it—boasting beautiful scenery with clear waters and lush greenery.

Jixia Village not only boasts pleasant scenery but has also produced many talented individuals, leaving behind numerous cultural and historical sites: the Ming Dynasty ancient city gate, Ma’s Immortal Palace, Flower Bridge, and Zhiguo Pavilion, among others. The ancient buildings are quite distinctive, and entering the village allows one to strongly sense the lingering charm of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Even more commendable is the long-standing tradition of martial arts and fitness in the village, passed down through generations and never fading. Locals call it the “Fist Nest,” while more elegantly it is known as the “Hometown of Martial Arts.” The Gan family also has unique folk activities such as “Celebrating the Half-Year Festival” and “Welcoming the True Immortal Ma,” which attract people from surrounding villages to join in the lively celebrations. Visitors often say that this place is blessed with extraordinary people, simple and honest folk customs, and rich cultural heritage.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units