Tianbao Ancient Village

Tianbao Ancient Village

Located in the northern part of Yifeng County, 23 kilometers from the county seat, Tianbao Ancient Village encompasses Xinhui Village and Xinlian Village of Tianbao Township, collectively known as Tianbao Ancient Village. It covers an area of 2 square kilometers, with 2,067 households and a population of 5,803. The Da-Guang Expressway (Wuji Section) and Chang-Tong Expressway both have interchanges in Tianbao, making transportation extremely convenient.

From the Eastern Wu of the Three Kingdoms (220 AD) to the Tang Dynasty, Tianbao Ancient Village served as the county seat for a total of 250 years, which is why it is also known as the “Ancient Seat of Yifeng County.” The village boasts a superior geographical location and a naturally ship-shaped landform, along with a unique environment. To the southeast lies a winding moat over 2,500 meters long that flows from east to west, encircling the ancient town; to the west is the Tengjiang River; and to the north stands the majestic 1,490-meter-long ruins of an ancient city wall. Originally, the ancient village had three streets, six markets, six city gates, thirteen mansions, 48 lanes, and 48 wells, surrounded by eight inner and outer scenic spots. It has been honored with titles such as “China’s Historical and Cultural Famous Village,” “National-level Ecological Township,” “China’s Charming Village of Outstanding Ethnic Architectural Culture,” “China’s Uniquely Characteristic Famous Village,” and “Jiangxi Province Rural Tourism Demonstration Site.” In 2010, it was selected for exhibition in the Small Towns section at the China Pavilion of the Shanghai World Expo.

Historically, Tianbao Ancient Village was a cradle of talent. Nestled within its ship-shaped landscape and surrounded by mountains and water, it is considered a feng shui treasure—a birthplace of clan culture, blessed with exceptional natural beauty and a rich literary heritage, often referred to as a land of scholars and good fortune. According to historical records, the village produced over 150 individuals who passed imperial examinations, including more than 20 jinshi (advanced scholars), earning it the nickname “Village of Jinshi.” In 1190 (during the Southern Song Dynasty), Liu Chun, the founding ancestor of the Ink Villa, settled in Tianbao and began to establish a lineage, so today around 90% of the villagers bear the surname Liu. The village is also the ancestral home of Liu Bingzhong, who oversaw the planning of the Yuan Dynasty’s capital, and Liu Bowen, the military strategist and founding hero of the Ming Dynasty. In more recent times, the village produced Liu Shishun, a modern-day Ph.D., former Vice Minister for Political Affairs at the Republic of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and ambassador to Canada and Mexico, as well as Liu Jida, the Republic of China’s Ganzhou Special Commissioner. Moreover, the women of Tianbao are renowned for their beauty, as evidenced by the popular saying in the Jiangnan region praising their elegance: “Firecrackers from Wanzai, umbrellas from Liuyang, and women from Tianbao need no choosing (picking).”

To this day, Tianbao Ancient Village preserves 138 ancient residential houses from the Ming and Qing dynasties, the 1919 Bacon School built in Western architectural style, as well as ancient streets and lanes.