Zhaxi Ancient Village

Zhaxi Ancient Village

During the third cultural relics survey in Jiangxi Province, cultural relics workers in Anfu County discovered the oldest existing ancient residential building in the county, which dates back over 600 years. The residence is currently inhabited and well-preserved, holding significant research value in fields such as folklore and architecture.

The ancient residence is situated in the center of Zhaxi Ancient Village, Jin Tian Township, at the foot of Snake-shaped Mountain within the village. The house faces west and was built along the mountain’s contour. Its exterior walls are adorned with many inscribed bricks marked “Zhaxi Yu Made.” According to the *Genealogy of the Liu Clan of Zhaxi*, “Yu” refers to Liu Yujiie from the 19th century, who lived during the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, indicating that the house was likely built around that time. Upon close inspection by cultural relics workers, the main structure has not undergone major alterations, and the interior beams retain their original form, showcasing a combination of post-and-lintel and mortise-and-tenon construction styles. The wooden pillars and plinths in the central bay have endured centuries, marked with numerous corrosion holes. The wooden lattice windows are simply decorated, with their upper sections woven from reeds and coated in white plaster, exhibiting a typical Ming Dynasty style. The steep roof pitch still retains the architectural essence of the Song and Yuan Dynasties.

It is quite rare and remarkable for an ancient residence to be preserved for over 600 years in the humid environment of southern China. Zhaxi Village was established during the Dazhong Xiangfu era of the Song Dynasty, dating back about a thousand years, and has long been the settlement of descendants of Liu Chu. Due to the serpent-like shape of the land, it is referred to as “Snake Belly Liu.” Legend has it that the area was once overgrown with reeds, making it unsuitable for building houses, so residents constructed homes on the mountainside. The houses, built along the terrain, benefit from dry ground and excellent drainage. In the past, generations of the Zhaxi Liu family regarded this house as their place of origin and took great care to preserve it. Young couples would use it as their bridal chamber, living there for a full month before moving back home. This tradition continued until the eve of the liberation. According to 70-year-old Liu Mengzhuang, the house has been repaired over the generations, and he personally witnessed two renovations, but the beams and walls have indeed retained their original appearance.