Longnan Hakka Walled Villages

Longnan Hakka Walled Villages

Longnan Walled Villages (including Xichang Walled Village, Yuzaitan Walled Village, Shaba Walled Village, and Longguang Walled Village)

Longnan is located at the southernmost tip of Jiangxi Province, bordering Heping and Lianping counties in Guangdong. It has long been known as the “Southern Gateway of Jiangxi.” Since its establishment as a county during the 11th year of the Baoda era of the Southern Tang Dynasty (953 AD), it boasts a history of over a thousand years and is the homeland of many Hakka people from Fujian, Guangdong, and overseas. Three major transportation arteries—the Gan-Guang Expressway, Beijing-Kowloon Railway, and National Highway 105—intersect here. The county has a population of 300,000 and covers an area of 1,641 square kilometers. With distinct seasons, a pleasant climate, beautiful mountains and rivers, and charming local customs, it offers a delightful experience. The magnificent Little Wudang Mountain features 99 Danxia peak forests stretching endlessly like a ten-mile scroll slowly unfurling. The subtropical primeval forest of the Jiulianshan National Nature Reserve is enchanting, home to rare birds and animals, earning it the titles “Jade of the Nanling Mountains” and “Kingdom of Flora and Fauna.” The Jade Immortal Rock (Yangming Academy) features a forest of stelae that recreates the teachings of sages like Wang Yangming. The Longtou Waterfall cascades down impressively, rivaling the Three-Step Waterfall of Mount Lu. The distinctive Hakka-style “earthen fortresses” inspire endless reverie... Across this land of more than 1,600 square kilometers, the wonders of nature and the rich cultural heritage have created many breathtaking landscapes and Hakka cultural attractions. When you visit Longnan, you can feel the pulse of Hakka history; when you visit Longnan, you can wander through a sea of green... The Hakka walled villages are tangible carriers of Hakka culture, preserving ancient Central Plains customs, lifestyles, and serving as the main architectural form of ancient Hakka residences. These structures integrate home, ancestral hall, and fortress, built with blue bricks or granite walls that are easily defensible and extremely sturdy. Southern Jiangxi is dominated by square-walled designs, and in terms of quantity, scale, unique style, and preservation, Longnan ranks foremost in the nation. On October 25, 2007, it was officially recognized by the Shanghai Great World Guinness as the “County with the Most Hakka Walled Villages.” Typically three to four stories high, the larger ones feature nine buildings and eighteen halls, including grain storage, wells, drainage systems, lawns, and stages. Notable examples include Guanxi New Walled Village, Yangcun Yanxi Walled Village, Liren Liyuan Walled Village, Yangcun Yanxi Walled Village, and Taojiang Longguang Walled Village.

On October 25, experts from the Shanghai Great World Guinness headquarters presented a plaque designating Longnan County as the “County with the Most Hakka Walled Villages” to local officials. This marked the official authoritative recognition of Longnan’s status as the “No. 1 County for Hakka Walled Villages in China.”

Southern Jiangxi is the cradle of Hakka culture, and Longnan County, located in the southern part of Southern Jiangxi, is home to Hakka walled villages, which are the main architectural form of ancient Hakka residences. These structures integrate home, ancestral hall, and fortress, built with blue bricks or granite walls that are easily defensible and extremely sturdy, mostly featuring square designs. In terms of quantity, scale, unique style, and preservation, Longnan ranks foremost in the nation. Currently, Longnan County is home to 376 Hakka walled villages, including the national key cultural relics protection units such as Guanxi New Walled Village, Yanxi Walled Village, Wushi Walled Village, and Liyuan Walled Village, accounting for over 70% of Hakka walled villages in Southern Jiangxi.

Starting earlier this year, the county underwent rigorous surveys, research, evaluations, and application processes, ultimately earning the prestigious Shanghai Great World Guinness record for “County with the Most Hakka Walled Villages.”

Location

Longnan County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units