Xiamao Village

Xiamao Village

Maoxia Village is located in the southeastern part of Gushan Town, covering an area of 3.73 square kilometers with a total population of 2,617. In 2012, it was selected as one of the first batch of Traditional Chinese Villages by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of Finance, becoming Yongchun County’s first national-level ancient village. The village boasts over 100 ancient houses, known as carriers of Minnan culture, that are more than a hundred years old, as well as a Ming Dynasty stone-built ancient fortress dating back over 400 years, expansive lychee orchards, a historic Minnan arcade-style old street rich in cultural heritage, and a variety of traditional customs. The convergence of ancient houses, fortresses, old trees, streets, and customs gives the village an overall fresh and rustic charm.

Main Tourist Routes: Maoxia Cultural Square — Lychee Riverside — Xiazao Ancient Residential Complex — Agricultural Culture Exhibition Hall — King of Lychee Trees — Overseas Chinese Culture Exhibition Hall — Hetang Old Street — Fumao Fortress

Major Attractions:

【Fumao Fortress】

Fumao Fortress was initially built in the late Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty. Its founder, surnamed Si, courtesy name Xiqing, and alias Yuantu, once served as an official in charge of grain at the Quanzhou Household Department. Known for his generosity, sense of justice, and dedication to benefiting the people, he was also well-versed in geomancy. He purchased land to build the fortress and ancestral hall, constructing them with primitive stone masonry techniques. The fortress walls now stand three zhang high, covering an area of over four square li. Standing atop the fortress, one can enjoy panoramic views of the beautiful scenery of Gushan. In front of the ancestral hall lies a pond that captures the enchanting reflections of the surrounding mountains and waters. Additionally, a “gourd-shaped fortress” was built in the southern forest to ensure the flourishing prosperity of future generations and an endless flow of blessing. To this day, the fortress walls, gates, and internal environment remain relatively well-preserved.

【Hetang Old Street】

Hetang Old Street is a relatively well-preserved arcade-style street built during the Republican era, with a history of over 80 years. Most of the buildings along the street were constructed by overseas Chinese, featuring architectural styles that incorporate Chinese elements such as grey tiles and red bricks, alongside Western features like arched railings. The overall design is dignified and elegant yet gracefully delicate, making it a distinctive local architectural district. Today, the ground floors of these historic buildings are mostly used as shops and living spaces, while the upper floors serve as bedrooms. Aside from those residing overseas or working elsewhere, most locals still live here and continue to operate small private businesses in the original layout and function of the old street, presenting a serene and harmonious atmosphere.

【Overseas Chinese Culture Exhibition Hall – Dunfu Hall】

Built during the Republican era, this structure was funded by a Chen family overseas Chinese, Chen Dun, who made his fortune in the Philippines and sent money back to construct it. It has a history of nearly 100 years. Covering a total area of about 3 mu, the building has 72 rooms of various sizes. Its architectural style masterfully blends the opulent romance of European design with the classic simplicity of Chinese aesthetics. It retains the traditional Minnan features of red bricks and grey tiles while adding Western-style colonnades and railings, making it a quintessential example of Sino-Western fusion architecture. It is said that Dunfu Hall was also the first residence in Yongchun built using reinforced concrete.

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【Xiazao Ancient Residential Complex】

The Xiazao Ancient Residential Complex is the largest and most densely clustered group of ancient houses in the area, originating from the Xiazao Grand House built during the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty. Its builder, Jingzhe Gong, belonged to the 20th generation of the Southern Chen lineage. A successful scholar-official who passed the imperial examinations, he was well-educated and built the Xiazao Grand House with deliberate ingenuity, including carving a hundred-zhang-long golden river channel with piers placed every few steps — totaling seven piers along the winding stream that encircled the residence like a snail shell, hence the poetic name “Snail Spitting Pearls,” symbolizing blessings and prosperity for future generations. The current Xiazao Ancient Residential Complex was built in the 1930s by the descendants of Jingzhe Gong and consists of seven houses: Jinjiao Hall, Jingguo Hall, Lianxing Hall, XiXi Hall, Yuxi Hall, Jinxu Hall, and Mingde Hall. The descendants of these houses have thrived for seven generations. Due to the “Snail Spitting Pearls” feng shui, many have gone into business or officialdom abroad, achieving significant success and enjoying prosperous lives. Today, most descendants reside in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Despite the distance, they often return to their ancestral homes for visits and ancestral worship during leisure time. These ancient houses remain well-preserved, with the Jinxi Stream flowing nearby, vast rice fields in front, and lush lychee trees behind, exemplifying the traditional Minnan architectural layout of being backed by mountains, facing fields, and encircled by water with planted trees.

【Agricultural Culture Exhibition Hall – Mingde Hall】

The Gushan Basin features flat terrain and abundant water resources. Since settling here, the people of Gushan have relied on the area’s rich natural landscape and farmland, leading an agricultural lifestyle that has been passed down through generations. This tradition continues today, as large areas of farmland and traditional farming practices of sowing in spring, planting in summer, harvesting in autumn, and storing in winter are still preserved within the town. To showcase and preserve this distinctive regional agricultural culture, we have collected over 100 pieces of historical farming tools, textiles, furniture, receipts, and other artifacts that reflect the evolution of traditional agrarian life through purchase, lease, and borrowing, displaying them for visitors. In the future, traditional practices such as tile-making, rice milling, and rice cake pounding will be integrated to create an agricultural culture experience center, allowing visitors to engage in hands-on activities and connect with history in a joyful and immersive way.

Maoxia Village Overseas Chinese Culture Exhibition Hall Dunfu Hall.jpg

【King of Lychee Trees】

In the Xiazao area of Maoxia Village, there are two ancient lychee trees that are 500 years old. With trunks approximately 2.5 meters in diameter, these trees have consistently yielded over 1,800 pounds of lychees per year for many years. According to local villagers, the two “King Lychee Trees” were planted at the same time and are considered “husband and wife trees.” They were planted with ample spacing between them to accommodate the growth of their canopies and ensure a bountiful harvest. Today, the trees stand about 50 meters apart, one to the north and one to the south, silently guarding the land. Their presence evokes the poetic imagery of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl separated by the Milky Way, “a strip of water between, yet unable to exchange words.” Perhaps it is this profound bond and long companionship that has allowed them to stand resiliently for over five hundred years, quietly protecting this ancient land amid fields and streams. These trees are now collectively owned by the village of Maoxia.

【Lychee Riverside】

On the left side of the Xiazao Ancient Residential Complex lies the Maopha section of the Jinxi River, stretching over 5 kilometers in length. The riverbanks are naturally symmetrical, lined with large and small ancient lychee trees and expansive fields. Natural stone embankments seamlessly integrate the water’s edge with the river surface, complemented by scenic elements such as water barriers, covered bridges, and pathways. The water flows clear and calm, with ducks playing on the surface, creating a tranquil and secluded atmosphere. Especially during the lychee harvest season, the vibrant red and green hues intermingle with the fragrance of lychees, offering an intoxicating experience.

Source: Fujian Provincial Tourism Development Commission