Wenshi Village

Wenshi Village

About 4 kilometers northeast of Zhangshan Town, Jizhou District, Ji'an City (approximately 20 kilometers from the urban area), lies an ancient riverside village—Wenshi—surrounded by bamboo groves and vines. It is a typical Jiangnan-style ancient village, nestled against mountains and beside water, resembling a "young lady of noble birth" secluded in her boudoir. With a long history, a strong literary tradition, and uniquely styled architecture, the landscape is a feast for the eyes. It is the settlement of descendants of Li Sheng, a celebrated general of the Tang Dynasty and Prince of Xiping. The entire village shares the surname Li and still preserves the iconic "Xiping Mansion," a commemorative structure honoring Li Sheng. Despite the passage of time, it stands firmly to this day.

Wenshi, also known as "Hengshi" (Horizontal Stone), resembles a massive horizontal rock jutting into the Gan River. A river winds around the village like a jade ribbon, creating a picturesque scene. The paths leading into the village are lined with small-leaved bamboo groves and vines, resembling garden-designed, secluded flower-lined walks. The entire ancient village seems hidden within the bamboo, hence earning the reputation of the "riverside ancient village in the bamboo grove—Wenshi."

Noteworthy sights, cultural relics, and historical inscriptions in the village mainly include: the Li Clan Ancestral Hall (Zhongwu Mansion), the Nine Houses, the Daifu Mansion, the Li Cai Zhang Ancestral Hall, the picturesque landscapes, and a wood-carved couplet handwritten by Liu Yong, a Qing Dynasty prime minister.

The Li Clan Ancestral Hall, also called "Zhongwu Mansion," covers an area of over 970 square meters. It has a five-bay facade, two courtyards, three sections, and a three-bay porch. Red stone lions sit guard at the front, exuding solemnity and dignity. The main gate hangs a plaque reading "Xiping Mansion," simple yet dignified. The central hall, "Xulun Hall," serves as the symbolic landmark of the ancient village and a sacred site where the people of Wenshi honor their ancestors and strengthen kinship. The hall features carved beams and painted rafters. Six red sandstone pillars, each about 50 centimeters in diameter, stretch directly to the roof ridge, symbolizing generals connecting heaven and earth. The porch pillars display six pairs of stone-carved couplets. Atop the main hall sits a red stone-carved floral table, measuring 225 cm in length, 126 cm in height, and 60 cm in width. A wooden plaque inscribed with the Li Clan’s family rules, measuring 160 cm in length, 81 cm in height, and 2 cm in thickness, dating back to the sixth year of the Tongzhi era, still hangs proudly in the hall. The embedded-character couplet on the stone pillars in front of "Xulun Hall" is particularly remarkable (embedded-character couplets are a hallmark of Wenshi’s calligraphy). The upper couplet reads: “Narrate origins, long-standing and enduring, with flourishing branches and deep roots.” The lower couplet reads: “Ethics, big or small, filial sons and wise grandsons, successful careers and successive talents.” The horizontal inscription reads: “Prosperity Fills the Hall.” The upper couplet embeds the character “叙” (narrate), while the lower embeds “伦” (ethics). Though not imposing externally, the ancestral hall is majestic and tall. Though not opulent inside, it boasts exquisite craftsmanship. Even after years of wear, it still shines brightly, showcasing boundless family glory.

The Nine Houses are another set of Qing Dynasty buildings that the villagers of Wenshi take great pride in. They were built as a legacy by the wealthy merchant Li Cai Zhang. Born in the late Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, Li Cai Zhang amassed wealth through business ventures and money-lending operations in Chongqing (Sichuan), Wuhan, and Shashi (Hubei). The nine houses are divided into three groups, each consisting of three houses, arranged in a “three” formation. Dignified and elegant, the entire compound spans about 6,400 square meters. All nine houses are of equal size, each 114 square meters, uniformly built with blue bricks and gray tiles in the Jiangnan-style flush-gable roof architecture. The compound is laid out in a standardized, neat, and classic fashion. It has front, middle, and rear gates, with a stone plaque above the rear gate inscribed in the spring of the fifth year of the Tongzhi era (1866) by Jiangxi Governor Peng Shichang: “Gateway to the Lofty Dragon Gate.” Another important structure, the “Daifu Mansion,” is located within the “Nine Houses.”

The Li Cai Zhang Ancestral Hall is located in the center of the village. Built in the 25th year of the Daoguang era, it features a three-bay facade, four sections, and two courtyards. It is tall, majestic, and impressively grand.

The ancient village of Wenshi has a rich literary tradition. This is evident in the couplets and gate inscriptions found in its historic buildings. The “Daifu Mansion” features a couplet: “Majestic beams shrouded in rosy clouds, the land gathers beauty; auspicious light rising with purple air, the doorway radiates brilliance.” The “Zhongwu Mansion” has a couplet: “The divine plum tree roots spread across fields, sturdy bamboo symbolizes thriving civilization.” The rear gate of the “Nine Houses” bears a stone-carved couplet: “Peaks of Luoshan Mountain rise to welcome the fresh breeze; the doorway encircles Egret River drawing in the fragrant wind.” There is also an elegant and splendid couplet: “Books may be read, fields may be tilled—the ancestral teachings passed down; phoenixes sing, horses stand—you descendants must not betray the patriotic devotion.” These beautiful lines allow us to appreciate the proud literary heritage of Wenshi.

The landscapes of the ancient village of Wenshi are even more delightful to the eye. Exiting the village and arriving at the dock, a breathtaking landscape painting unfolds before your eyes, with an ancient charm wafting through the air, as if you’ve stepped back a hundred years. Villagers wash clothes and draw water along the shore, while scattered boat sails enhance the Jiangnan-style allure of the Gan River. The former prosperity of the ancient dock now vividly reflects on the water: blue sky, green hills, clear water, and peach blossoms on the opposite bank blend into the hazy, transparent, and dreamlike beauty of the ancient village.

Stepping into Wenshi will transport you into a dreamlike, breathtaking realm. The riverside ancient village in the bamboo grove—Wenshi—welcomes you.