Ancient Architectural Complex of Yiqian

Ancient Architectural Complex of Yiqian

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Yiqian is a cultural heritage site protected by Jiangxi Province.

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Yiqian is located in Yiqian Town, Guangchang County, Jiangxi Province, featuring Ming and Qing dynasty Gan-style architecture. It includes nine historic structures: “Lai Xun Family Temple,” “Lai Ying Ancestral Hall,” “Qing Ji Xu Yuan,” “Jun Zi You Ning,” “Kui Bi Lian Hui,” “Yi Chen Fu Ju,” “Long Feng Gong Xiu,” “Feng Xian Si Xiao,” and “Shi Wu Li.” It is among the first batch of municipal-level cultural heritage sites in Fuzhou City. Among these, “Kui Bi Lian Hui,” “Qing Ji Xu Yuan,” and the “Shi Wu Li” residential building have been designated as provincial-level cultural heritage sites of Jiangxi Province. Yiqian Town has been recognized as a “Provincial-Level Historic and Cultural Town.”

The ancient town of Yiqian got its name because a Jinjie Post Station was established here during the Shaoxing era of the Song Dynasty, and the village is situated in front of the “Mei Lin Post Station.” During the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, Yiqian flourished significantly, with 36 and a half ancestral halls, 24 temples, 72 taverns, and over 200 shops and residences in its market area.

The surviving ancient buildings mainly date from the Ming and Qing periods and consist of 53 individual structures, primarily concentrated along the eastern section of Yiqian Street. It is one of the better-preserved and larger-scale residential architectural complexes in Jiangxi Province.

Currently, over 2,000 rooms covering more than 40,000 square meters are still well preserved. There are ancestral halls and family temples belonging to various clans, mansions and villas of high-ranking officials, merchant shops and workshops, as well as dozens of stone inscriptions left by literati. With their towering walls, upturned eaves, winding paths, multiple courtyards, and exquisitely carved wooden, brick, and stone ornamentation that are simple yet elegant and lifelike, these structures represent some of the finest examples of Ming and Qing architecture in the Jiangnan region.

Among these ancient buildings, the most representative and typical styles include:

“Kui Bi Lian Hui”

Also known as the Seven-Hall Courtyard, this is a residential building from the Qing dynasty. Its layout is unique, combining shop and residence functions within a single structure, covering an area of 1,881 square meters. It features two courtyards of varying sizes, 11 skywells, and 32 rooms spread across seven courtyards. The grand gate tower standing at the front is entirely built from blue strip stones, with carvings of vivid lotuses, ancient coins, phoenixes, the four treasures of the study, and animals on the surrounding blue stones and lintels. The lintel is inscribed with the words “Kui Bi Lian Hui” (literally “Linked Radiance of Kui and Bi Stars”), written in bold and powerful calligraphy. Carved patterns of wood, brick, and stone can be found throughout the complex, all exquisitely crafted. Notably, the lotus motifs—both in quantity and form—are rare even nationwide. Experts note: “While lotus patterns are generally associated with Buddhism, the abundance of such designs here is likely linked to the local history of lotus cultivation, representing a unique local cultural phenomenon.”

“Qing Ji Xu Yuan”

Also called the Boat-Shaped House, it is built along the river and strikingly resembles an ancient official boat sailing upstream, with discernible bow and stern compartments, upper and lower decks, a deckhouse, platform, and canopy. Its double-eaved pavilion-style roof makes it a waterside scenic viewing structure. Legend says it served as a family villa for Lai Xun (a native of Chiyuan Village, Yiqian, who became a Jinshi in 1415 during the Ming Yongle era and later served as an inspector in Yunnan), used when he visited relatives. Facing south, it covers an area of 650 square meters. Constructed with a post-and-lintel system, it contains 36 rooms across various halls and wing rooms.

The main gate is located on the right side of the central hall. The middle section serves as the main hall, featuring a pavilion-style roof, caisson ceiling, and double-eaved rooftop, giving it a majestic appearance. The caisson is painted with intertwined peony patterns, while other eave boards are carved with flowing clouds, flowers, and human figures, all in luxurious designs. The lintel is inscribed with “Qing Ji Xu Yuan,” meaning “Absorbing the Essence of Xu Yuan,” symbolizing that the house draws the vital energy of the Fu River to nurture countless scholars, talents, and beauties. “Qing” stands for integrity and purity, while “Ji” implies promotion and upward mobility. The entire boat-house is built from a combination of fir, eucalyptus, and birch woods, with dignified pillars and beams, exquisite carvings, and a classic, solemn charm. Due to its convenient water transport, pleasant climate, and beautiful scenery, it was later repurposed as a “brothel.”

“Shi Wu Li” Residential House

Originally built in 1428 during the Ming Xuande era, this building is uniquely constructed entirely from stone. Its doorstep, eave boards, shrine, pillars, screen wall, roof edges, gate tower, and even the floor are all made from smooth, fine square stones, hence the name “Shi Wu Li” (Stone House). It has three courtyards and covers an area of 1,075 square meters. Sixteen large stone pillars inside, each 7.8 meters tall, firmly support the massive stone beams of the roof.

Legend has it that each stone pillar used in the construction cost as much as a gold bar. The grand stone house shows no signs of rough craftsmanship—the stones fit seamlessly together, yet are adorned with carved dragons and phoenixes, gleaming brilliantly. The double gate towers on the right side of the central hall are carved with patterns such as “Double Phoenixes Facing the Sun,” “Dragon and Phoenix Bringing Prosperity,” and “Fortune, Prosperity, Longevity, and Happiness.” The bases of the stone pillars are intricately carved with auspicious designs including lions, elephants, deer, cranes, lotuses, the four treasures of the study, and flowers. The wood, brick, and stone carvings are all exquisitely done, classic and elegant, lifelike, and uniquely styled. The interior remains cool in summer and warm in winter, like spring all year round, making it a marvel of Jiangnan architecture.

“Jin Shi Di” Official Residence

This was the residence of Lai Jin, who served as Prefect of Binzhou during the Qing dynasty. The owner was a Jinshi (successful imperial examination candidate) in 1748 during the Qianlong reign, who held positions as County Magistrate of Zhenyang and Prefect of Binzhou. The residence faces east and is built with a brick-and-wood structure, covering an area of 449.5 square meters. The gate tower is located to the left of the main gate, inscribed with the three regular-script characters “Jin Shi Di” (Residence of the Jinshi). The caisson is positioned on the left side of the central hall, decorated with carvings of magpies holding plum blossoms, bees, monkeys, peonies, and human figures. These intricate carvings, unique in style, symbolize achieving high rank and joyous occasions.

“Feng Xian Si Xiao”

Also known as the Ancestral Hall of the Eight Pavilions, it was built in 1740 during the fifth year of the Qianlong reign in the Qing dynasty. It is a brick-and-wood structure with one main gate and two smaller ones. The gate tower features brick carvings forming the four regular-script characters “Feng Xian Si Xiao” (Honor Ancestors and Reflect Filial Piety), along with patterns of double phoenixes facing the sun, coins, and plum blossoms. It served as a gathering place for clan activities such as worship, tomb sweeping, weddings, funerals, and celebrations.

“Yi Chen Fu Ju”

Located in the center of Yiqian Village, it faces northeast and is five bays wide and four bays deep, with a central skywell measuring 5.7 meters long and 2.2 meters wide, covering an area of 390 square meters. Built with a brick-and-wood structure, it is classic and elegant, set in a quiet environment. The lintel, made of stone, is 0.64 meters high and 1.85 meters wide, inscribed with the four characters “Yi Chen Fu Ju” (Residence of Yi Chen). Each character is 0.32 meters long and 0.26 meters wide. On the right is inscribed “Geng Shen Ji Chun Yue Ji Dan” (Auspicious Day of Late Spring in Geng Shen Year), and on the lower left is the signature of Huang Yongnian, a literary figure from Guangchang in the Qing dynasty, whose calligraphy is vigorous and graceful. The house was inhabited by the Lai family, possibly related to Yi Chen, or perhaps named in praise of the owner’s noble character—with Huang Yongnian borrowing the term “Yi Chen” to express admiration.

“Lai Xun Family Temple”

Also called the Xia Wo Ancestral Hall, it is the family temple of Lai Xun, Inspector of Yunnan during the Ming dynasty. The temple faces east and is rectangular in layout, with five bays across, featuring a post-and-lintel structure divided into upper and lower halls with a skywell in between. It is 22.4 meters long and 6 meters wide. On the right side of the upper hall’s shrine is a stone stele from the sixth year of the Longwu era in the Ming dynasty (1640), measuring 0.9 meters high, 0.55 meters wide, and 0.13 meters thick.

Lai Xun (1385–1446), styled Zong Qi, also known as Xun Zhi or Qing Xi, was a native of Chiyuan Village, Yiqian. He became a Jinshi in 1415 during the Ming Yongle era, and in 1416 was appointed as an Imperial Censor of Henan Circuit. Known for his integrity, he investigated malpractice and enforced laws impartially, earning the court’s trust and the people’s title of “Iron-Faced Censor.” Later, he was tasked with inspecting the governance of Suzhou and Songjiang, where he punished over 300 corrupt officials and local tyrants led by Ma Liang. In 1425, he was selected to inspect governance across various prefectures and was later ordered to tour Huhu, dismissing hundreds of derelict officials including Tians Gang and Zhao Lei. In 1431, he was appointed Inspector of Yunnan, where he eventually passed away in office. To commemorate his virtues, later generations built the Lai Xun Family Temple in his honor.

Additionally, the ancient town of Yiqian boasts a rich legacy of red culture. During the Agrarian Revolutionary War and the Fifth Encirclement Campaign, major battles such as the Gaohutou Battle, Wannianting Battle, and Gulongfeng Battle were fought within Yiqian. In August 1934, after the Gaohutou Battle, the Red Army retreated to the Yiqian area and camped here. The main lodging sites used by the Red Army were Ming and Qing-era residences, including ten key buildings such as the Lai Xun Family Temple, Da Fu Di, and Bu Zheng Ancestral Temple. Remnants such as pits, stables, and numerous Red Army slogans remain. Among them, “Da Fu Di” was the former headquarters of the First Red Army Corps.

To this day, many buildings still bear slogans written by the Red Army, such as: “Overthrow the Traitor Chiang Kai-shek, Capture He Yingqin Alive,” “Brothers, Don’t Fight Each Other — March North to Resist Japan, Even Death is Worth It,” “Support the Chinese Communist Party, Overthrow the Reactionary Kuomintang,” and “Down with All Counterrevolutionaries.” These provide valuable physical materials for studying the history of the Chinese revolution.

Yiqian Town: Located in the southern part of Guangchang County, in the heart of the Wuyi Mountain Range and at the source of the Fu River, Yiqian is the first town along the Fu River. It borders Yangxi Township to the east, Mulan and Xiaosong Townships of Shicheng County to the south, Zhantian Township of Ningdu County to the west, and Chishui Township of Guangchang County to the north. The town covers a total area of 202 square kilometers, governs 18 villages, 172 village groups, and one neighborhood committee, with a population of 25,000. Yiqian has a long history, numerous historical sites, and profound cultural heritage. It includes one national-level key cultural heritage site, three provincial-level key cultural heritage sites, and seven municipal-level key cultural heritage sites. It has been successively awarded titles such as National Historic and Cultural Town... More details about Yiqian Town++

Further Reading:

·The Fifth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units