Lu tou Jiang Family Courtyard

Lu tou Jiang Family Courtyard

The Jiang Family Courtyard is located in Donglutou Village, Lutou Township, She County, Hebei Province. Built during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, it has a history of over 200 years and consists of more than 50 courtyards and two gardens, one on the east side and one on the west. The architectural layout is divided into two major parts: one part features gateways with upturned eaves, bracket sets, and painted beams and columns, representing the typical style of traditional Chinese residential architecture, while the other part is based on traditional Chinese residential style but incorporates certain European elements, resulting in an artistic fusion of Chinese and European aesthetics. All the gateways of these courtyards are engraved with stone couplets and meticulously framed lintel plaques, totaling 50 pieces. The calligraphy on the couplets includes regular script, running script, cursive script, seal script, and clerical script, showcasing a rich variety and unique styles. The plaques are crafted from either wood or stone, featuring diverse materials and exquisite craftsmanship.

Throughout the Jiang Family Courtyard, you can feel a strong sense of historical and cultural heritage. Among the approximately 30 stone couplets here, the characters—whether regular, cursive, running, or clerical script—each carry profound meanings and thought-provoking messages that are sure to spark your curiosity. What’s particularly exciting is that among them, there are not only works by famous figures such as Liu Yong and Lin Zexu, but also calligraphy by the great Qing Dynasty calligrapher He Shaoji and Yang Fang, a distinguished general under Zeng Guofan. Liu Yong contributed two couplets: “To deliberate old learning leads to deeper insight; to nurture new knowledge brings greater depth.” and “To have ambition, to take action, and to uphold principles; to enjoy much happiness, longevity, and many sons.” The national hero Lin Zexu inscribed a maxim by Chen Wengong: “To cherish food and clothing is not just about saving wealth but also about cherishing blessings; to seek fame and profit, rather than asking others, should come from your own efforts.” The great Qing calligrapher He Shaoji left behind a couplet: “Leisurely listening to the autumn sounds while moving bamboo seedlings; quietly sleeping under the cool moon with a paulownia sapling as a pillow.” General Yang Fang wrote: “Deep understanding sees through all; when desires are few, burdens feel light.” These ancestral teachings or aspirations from ancient people—are they not also valuable lessons for us today?

Why are there so many masterpieces by renowned artists preserved in this small village deep in the mountains? There are likely two plausible explanations. First, Li Zhongxiang, a calligrapher from the late Qing and early Republican period, collected a large number of autographs by famous individuals. Later, due to poverty, he lived and eventually passed away in the Jiang family home, and these artworks thus came into the Jiangs’ possession. Second: When Jiang Yihuang was in office, he was very close to a colleague surnamed Wang (from Anhui), with whom he formed a sworn brotherhood. Later, when Wang was promoted to a high-ranking position in the capital, the then-retired Yihuang often visited him in Beijing. It’s possible that through this connection, he met some notable figures in society. Coupled with Jiang’s personal passion for calligraphy and dedication to collecting, he was able to acquire rubbings of works by these master calligraphers.

Transportation Guide

Location: Donglutou Village, Lutou Township, She County, Handan City, Hebei Province

Transport options: Buses from She County to Lutou Township can get you there.