Shaxi Ancient Village

Shaxi Ancient Village

Shaxi Village is located in Zhuangxia Administrative Village, Zhujian Township, Anfu County, Ji’an City, Jiangxi Province, about 26 kilometers from Anfu County. During the Ming Jiaqing era, the ancestors of the Yan family in Shaxi migrated here from Tianpenxing in the southwest of Anfu County to establish the village, which got its name from the sandy bed of a small stream in front of the village. The natural village stretches from east to west, faces south, and is surrounded by mountains on all sides. It slopes from low in the front to high in the back, has an excellent drainage system, and enjoys a warm winter and cool summer—making it an ideal place to live. Before 1957, most villagers led a farming life, going out early and returning late. Nestled by the mountain and water, the village has a simple and peaceful folk culture. There is a beautiful legend about the formation of the village: it is said that the ancestors of the Yan family were a couple who herded ducks. One day, as they were herding here, every duck laid two eggs that very night, which surprised the couple. They continued herding there, and the same thing happened for several nights in a row. Believing the place to be spiritually blessed, they decided to settle down. Later, the Yan family flourished and grew into what is now Shaxi Village.

The village stretches from east to west and faces south, with a small stream flowing in front. The water is clear, warm in winter and cool in summer. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and lush bamboo forests, visitors often feel as if they have entered a hidden paradise. The village has produced many notable figures and wealthy merchants, including three successful candidates in the imperial examinations, with the highest-ranking official reaching the position of Prefectural Sima. Over the generations, many clan members went to Sichuan and Hunan to engage in trade, became prosperous, and built ancestral halls and residences. In pursuit of virtue and beauty, they hoped to leave a legacy for future generations. Due to the village’s long history, residents have placed great emphasis on preserving its ancient architectural heritage. Even after historical disasters such as the Cultural Revolution, 29 well-preserved ancient buildings remain. Their architectural styles reflect strong temporal and regional characteristics, with buildings connected in rows, lanes paved uniformly with blue bricks and cobblestones, and central paths made of bluestone slabs. Among them, the Xinzhai Ancestral Hall is a representative structure. Other notable buildings include the Yan Clan Ancestral Hall, Chongben Hall, Sima Mansion, and Xie Public Study. The ancient ancestral halls and residences are built in three contiguous rows, covering an area of 6,240 square meters. The gates feature colorful plasterwork, soaring eaves, and an imposing aura, while interiors are adorned with carved, painted, and gilded decorations. The Xie Public Residence is an early Republican-era building modeled after Japanese architecture, while other structures largely retain their original appearance. New houses are mainly built to the northwest of the village. A cement road leads out of the mountains, about 2.6 kilometers from Zhujian Street. The village currently has 41 households and over 210 residents, primarily engaged in rice cultivation on around 600 acres of arable land. There are also thousands of acres of forest land, dominated by ancient camphor trees and primeval Masson pine, along with broadleaf species such as maple, lotus, and chestnut. The forest is abundant in pine mushrooms, which are exceptionally flavorful. Local farmers protect the surrounding tens of thousands of acres of primeval Masson pine ecological conservation forests, largely due to the tangible benefits brought by pine mushrooms. The wild pine mushrooms from the natural Masson pine forests around Shaxi Ancient Village have been renowned for their rich nutrition and delicious taste in both Hunan and Jiangxi provinces for over a decade. The area is now designated as an ecological forest reserve, and local women who gather pine mushrooms can earn up to 10,000 yuan a year at most. Nowadays, most of the farmers are middle-aged or elderly, with some taking up handicrafts. Many young people work outside, run shops, or operate factories, with many developing careers in cities like Shenzhen, Guangdong.

Shaxi is a traditional village that integrates farming, scholarship, and commerce. Surrounded by mountains and water, it creates an environment where heaven, earth, and humanity are in harmony. The ancient architecture is comprehensive, with 29 well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty buildings densely distributed. The houses are arranged in a staggered and intricate layout, with crisscrossing lanes and interconnected cobblestone paths. There are ancient wells, bridges, and ponds, as well as 29 historic buildings represented by the Xinzhai Ancestral Hall, a memorial archway, a academy and study rooms, and independent structures. Door lintels, caisson ceilings, window frames, door pillars, screen walls, and gables are adorned with calligraphy or carvings, and many ancestral hall pillars feature stone-engraved couplets, reflecting a culture that values literature and Confucianism.

Zhujian Township: Located in the southeastern part of Anfu County, Ji’an City, Jiangxi Province, Zhujian Township borders Litian Township of Ji’an County to the east and is 37 kilometers from Ji’an City. The township covers an area of 86.8 square kilometers and administers 11 administrative villages: Zhuangxia, Gaocun, Xiauche, Aiwu, Yangkou, Zhuli, Zhehu, Xiashi, Dianshang, Zhongtuan, and Guanxi. It has 103 villager groups, a total population of 15,000, and 420 party members.

Zhujian has a long history and a superior location. The areas around Yangkou and Chengtian villages were once the site of the ancient Anping County seat. Since ancient times, the region has had well-developed water and land transportation, bustling with merchants and trade... More detailed information about Zhujian Township++