Ancient Architectural Complex of Wuxi Village

Ancient Architectural Complex of Wuxi Village

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Wuxi Village (including the Wang Tingyuan Official Residence, Yishi Jiake Archway, and Zhenxiao Memorial Archway) is located in Wuxi Village, Lixu Town, Dongxiang District, Fuzhou City, Jiangxi Province, approximately 28.5 kilometers from downtown Dongxiang.

The Wuxi Village Ancient Architectural Complex showcases the Gan-style architectural tradition, comprising 59 structures built during the Ming and Qing dynasties, including official residences, Confucian scholar mansions, Zhuangyuan Road, embroidery towers, memorial archways for chastity and filial piety, merchant homes, ancestral halls, archways, and residential buildings, covering a total ancient building area of over 14,900 square meters.

In the first year of the Qingyuan era during the reign of Emperor Ningzong of the Song Dynasty (1195), Wang Zichun, the fourth-generation descendant of Wang Anguo (younger brother of Wang Anshi), relocated from Shangchi Village in Lixu Town to establish the village. To date, it has a history of 809 years and has seen 44 generations of descendants. Wuxi Village boasts a profound cultural heritage and a long tradition of scholarship. From the Ming to the Qing dynasties, one person achieved the highest imperial examination rank (Zhuangyuan), 13 passed the imperial examinations, and 21 earned the title of Juren (successful provincial exam candidate). Among them, during the Yongle era of Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty, seven members of the Wang Ruwei family across four generations were honored as Jinshi (successful metropolitan exam candidates)—the “Yishi Jiake” Archway was erected by the Dongxiang County Magistrate in their memory. Wang Yanyuan achieved the title of Zhuangyuan during the Tianqi era of Emperor Xizong of the Ming Dynasty and later served as Vice Minister of Rites and Compiler at the Hanlin Academy.

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Wuxi Village is grand in scale, exquisitely laid out, simple yet elegant, embodying the garden-style architecture of the Jiangnan region with distinctive local characteristics. It reflects the prosperity and glory of the past and stands as a treasured gem among ancient Chinese residential architecture.

In March 2018, the Ancient Architectural Complex of Wuxi Village was designated as part of the sixth batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units by the People's Government of Jiangxi Province.

Wuxi Village: A Nationally Recognized Traditional Culture Village —— Wuxi Village. The founding ancestor of Wuxi Village, Zhi Xian Gong, also named Zi Chun (the fourth-generation descendant of Wang Anguo, younger brother of Wang Anshi), moved from Shangchi Yao Tian to Wuxi at the beginning of the first year of the Qingyuan era (1195 AD), making it over 800 years old. The village faces west and is situated against the east, sloping from high in the east to low in the west. A clear stream called Shui Long Gang flows in front of the village, with continuous peaks and ancient trees ahead, and layers of mountain ridges and lush bamboo groves behind. About 120 meters south of the village entrance stands a “Zhenxiao” (Chastity and Filial Piety) Memorial Archway, built under an imperial decree from Emperor Daoguang in the 25th year of his reign (1846)...... More details about Wuxi Village++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units