Tianma Village

Tianma Village

Tianma Village is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Fujian Province.

Tianma Village is situated in the northeastern part of Xianyou County, at the center point of the Putian–Xianyou–Yongtai region. It lies 53 kilometers from downtown Putian and 45 kilometers from Xianyou County. To the east and rear, it borders Huangyang Village and Qishan Village in Zhuangbian Town, Hanjiang District, respectively. The village includes two natural settlements—Waishimen Village and Neishimen Village—with 10 villager groups, 486 households, and a total population of 1,796. The five major family surnames in the village are Zheng, Chen, He, Hu, and You. The total forested area within the jurisdiction is 12,000 mu, including 10,080 mu of mountain land and 752 mu of arable land.

Main Attractions:

Tianma Mountain

Tianma Mountain is one of the Four Great Scenic Spots of Xianyou. It was designated as a county-level cultural heritage site in 1980. In recent years, the lower temple was newly built, and the upper temple was renovated, now shining with splendor and offering an elegant, serene, and picturesque atmosphere, giving the ancient temple a completely renewed look. The hiking trails up the mountain have also been widened for easier access. To help visitors better appreciate the scenic beauty of Tianma Mountain, we have compiled a “Guide to the Scenic Highlights of Tianma Mountain” for your reference.

The beauty of Tianma Mountain lies in its peculiar peaks, serene caves, deep forests, and unusual rocks. There are dozens of caves throughout the mountain, some large enough to hold hundreds of people, while smaller ones can accommodate dozens. Due to its unique terrain, during the Ming Dynasty, ancestors established camps here to resist pirate invasions. Even during the revolutionary war period, the Central Fujian Guerrilla Unit achieved remarkable victories against larger forces here.

Ming Dynasty Ancestral Hall

The Zheng Family Ancestral Hall is located in the center of the village and is a well-preserved ancient structure. The hall still retains its original framework: a central main room flanked by side rooms, each with two courtyards, and wing rooms beside the courtyards. Looking up from the courtyards, the carved patterns on the eaves remain vividly colored. Although time has faded its former grandeur, the Zheng Family Ancestral Hall now exudes a simple, tranquil charm.

Inside the hall, there is also a plaque inscribed with “Mingjing Jinshi” (Advanced Scholar in the Classics). The descendants of the Zheng family can’t quite explain the exact significance of the plaque. However, beneath it lies a small “escapee” artifact: an exquisitely carved golden flower wooden panel that still gleams, whispering tales of the hall’s former glory.

Stone Fortress and Watchtower

Tianma Village in Youyang Town, far from the hustle and bustle, appears peaceful and serene. Yet many of its historic sites and old houses tell stories of turbulent times.

The double-layered stone fortress, built to fight off pirates, is hidden away in Tianma Mountain. It tells of how people in the past moved massive stones up the mountainside, hundreds of meters high, to build walls that served as protective fortresses. It also speaks of fierce battles fought here. Villagers mention that some large tree trunks might still bear bullet marks.

In the center of the village stands a three-story earthen watchtower, its walls dotted with irregular small holes. This was a self-built gun tower by villagers during the pirate resistance period. Not far from the gun tower, a tall lookout tower nearby has long outlived its purpose and has been rebuilt into a new residence, standing in contrast yet harmony with the newer homes in the distance.