Zengwentang Walled House

Zengwentang Walled House

Zengwentang Walled House is a cultural heritage site protected by Jiangxi Province.

The Hakka walled house Zengwentang is located in Shuikeng Village Group, Yifu Village, Jian Tian Township. It was originally built by Huang Ruozeng, the grandfather of Huang Riheng, in the 48th year of the Kangxi reign (1709), and was rebuilt by brothers Huang Riheng and Huang Rishen in the 2nd year of the Qianlong reign (1737). To commemorate their grandfather Huang Ruozeng and father Huang Wen, they built a family ancestral hall at the core of the walled house, naming it after the last characters of their names — “Zeng” and “Wen.”

Zengwentang is currently the largest Hakka walled house discovered in Ji’an City, featuring 246 rooms and covering an area of over 3,696 square meters. It is known as the “Medieval Fortress of the East.” Constructed using raw earth, adobe, blue bricks, pebbles, and timber, this two-story, gable-roofed residence boasts a unique architectural style, rational layout, and rigorous structure. Though resembling a massive fortress, it is not enclosed, featuring five front gates and one rear gate to connect with the outside world. The walled house is divided into five courtyards and seven blocks, integrating a family ancestral hall, residential quarters, wells, drying yards, and grain storage. Due to Huang Riheng’s outstanding performance as a Confucian instructor in Jinxian County, Nanchang Prefecture, Jiangxi, Emperor Qianlong honored his parents with an imperial plaque praising their exemplary parenting, which hangs in the central hall of Zengwentang. The Huang clan has resided within the walled house for generations, continuing to the 13th generation to date.

The Zengwentang Hakka walled house is exceptionally well-lit and ventilated, offering a spacious, bright interior that remains warm in winter and cool in summer. Although its external appearance resembles those of walled houses in western Fujian and southern Jiangxi, providing a sense of security, it is less austere and enclosed, featuring six gates for external access. This reflects the adaptability of the Hakka people in Ji’an, who integrated well with local communities and major clans to secure a favorable living environment for survival and growth. (By Gao Liren)

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units