Xichang Wai

Xichang Wai

Xichang Wai is the ancestral home of Xu Mingjun (commonly known as “Xu Lao Si”), the founder of Guanxi Xin Wai. It is an irregularly shaped enclosed residence gradually built by his ancestors, father, and brothers. Located to the northeast of Guanxi Xin Wai, it is less than 500 meters away in a straight line.

Commonly called “the Old Wai,” Xichang Wai derived its name from the fact that when the Xu family was in the timber business, their boat name and the branded marks on their logs were all “Xichang.” The total area covers approximately 5,257.6 square meters. It mainly consists of three main structures: the Lixiao Gong Hall (Lixiao, meaning Xu Lixiao, Xu Mingjun’s father), the ancestral hall, and the Liuda Hu Ting (literally “Six Big Shared Halls,” named so because Xu Lixiao had six sons and this complex of buildings was shared by them), as well as residences belonging to the descendants of three of his brothers—Mingzeng (the third son), Mingjun (the fourth son), and Mingzhi (the fifth son). Legend has it that the walled residence was built on a feng shui treasure land of the Xu family shaped like a toad, hence the structure resembles a toad in form.

Since Xichang Wai was built gradually over several generations, its buildings are independent units without a unified layout, giving it a somewhat disorderly appearance. Based on field investigations and architectural analysis, it is believed that some structures existed first, and walls, enclosed courtyards, gate towers, and watchtowers were added later for security. The approximate chronological order of the surviving structures is: the Lixiao Gong Hall, likely built in the late Ming Dynasty, followed by the ancestral hall, the Liuda Hu Ting, the Guanyin Hall, the gate tower, the watchtower, the residences of the descendants of Mingzhi, the fourth son of Mingzeng, and others.

Xichang Wai is the ancestral home of Guanxi Xin Wai and the earliest residential building in the entire Xin Wai Village. Though architecturally distinct from the new enclosure, it shares close ties in construction culture and social heritage, offering insight into the area’s historical development. In a sense, they form an inseparable whole. The ceiling paintings and carved wooden panels inside the enclosure are among the finest in Longnan’s walled residences. In December 2008, it was designated as part of the second batch of County-Level Cultural Heritage Protection Units by the Longnan County People’s Government.

Currently, due to years of neglect, Xichang Wai suffers from severe roof leaks and decaying beams, urgently requiring emergency repair and conservation efforts.

Commonly called “the Old Wai,” Xichang Wai was initially built in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties by the father and brothers of Xu Mingjun, the constructor of Guanxi Xin Wai, hence it is also known as “the Old Wai.” It is a representative example of irregularly shaped walled residences in southern Jiangxi, with a diameter of about 87 meters and a total area of approximately 5,257 square meters. Centered around the ancestral hall, the main structure is two-story brick and wood construction. Surrounding it are six halls and one Guanyin Hall for worship, none of which are interconnected but instead follow the contours of the mountain, forming a cohesive unit. Xichang Wai preserves structural features from the Ming Dynasty, with exquisitely crafted carvings and paintings on window frames, doors, doorposts, and ceilings, making them true masterpieces. In December 2008, it was designated as part of the second batch of County-Level Cultural Heritage Protection Units by the Longnan County People’s Government.

Guanxi Village: Nestled within a small basin between Guanxi Caves, the village is centered around the winding Guanxi River, which flows from north to south. With green peaks to the east, an ancient pagoda to the west, hills rising to the south, and the river flowing north, the area enjoys a naturally stunning landscape covering about 2 square kilometers. The Hakka culture of the Guanxi Hakka walled residences blends the “ancient” with the “verdant,” showcasing a unique cultural charm that harmonizes literature with martial arts, farming with scholarship, officialdom with commerce, and village with enclosure.

The customs of the Hakka walled residences in southern Jiangxi are typical of Hakka residential traditions, widely found across the region, predominantly featuring square-shaped enclosures. “Guanxi Walled Residences” are... More details about Guanxi Village ++