Yangcun Swallow-Winged Enclosure

Yangcun Swallow-Winged Enclosure

Yangcun Swallow-Winged Enclosure is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Yangcun Swallow-Winged Enclosure is located in Longnan County, Jiangxi Province. Built during the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty over 320 years ago, it was constructed by Lai Fu of Yangcun. The name "Swallow-Winged" (燕翼) is taken from the phrase "ensure prosperity for future generations" in the Classic of Mountains and Seas (山海经), symbolizing foresight and the flourishing of descendants.

The Swallow-Winged Enclosure is 14.3 meters high, with walls 1.45 meters thick, and measures 41.5 meters long and 31.8 meters wide. The outer walls are solid, sturdy, and stand straight like towering cliffs. The walls are dotted with musket holes, and four watchtowers at the east, south, west, and north directions complement each other to form a fully covered firing network with no blind spots. To enter the enclosure, one must pass through the only gate, which is equipped with an outer iron door, a middle barrier gate, and an inner wooden door. Once the gate is closed, outsiders have no way in. There are grain storage rooms upstairs and a well inside the courtyard. Legend has it that the wall surface was plastered with a mixture of glutinous rice flour, brown sugar, and egg whites, which could be peeled off and boiled for food when supplies ran out. About one foot above the ground, there is a flared funnel used for draining wastewater. Upon entering the gate, you’ll see that the building has four floors, each with 34 rooms, interconnected by covered corridors on each level. Bedrooms, storage rooms, passageways, corridors, doors, windows, and staircases vary yet are unified in design—spaced thoughtfully, well-ventilated, and with proper lighting.

The Swallow-Winged Enclosure features scientific layout, rigorous structure, and effective defenses. In wartime, it serves as a fortress; in peacetime, it functions as a multifunctional residence. It fully embodies the indomitable spirit of the Hakka people in their struggle for living space, representing the crystallization of Hakka wisdom and strength. It is also a vivid chronicle of Hakka history and culture, rich in humanistic significance.