The Shiwu Stone House

The Shiwu Stone House

The Shiwu Stone House is a national scenic area.

The Shiwu Stone House

There are over 50 ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties in Yiqian Town, among which the stone carvings, wood carvings, and brick carvings are considered masterpieces of ancient southern Chinese culture. The "Shiwu" (Stone House) residence stands out as a typical representative of these historic structures due to its unique materials and exquisite stone carving craftsmanship.

The Shiwu Stone House was built in the 55th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (i.e., 1716 AD), featuring a three-courtyard layout and covering an area of 1,075 square meters. The entire house is constructed using stone thresholds, stone walls, stone floors, and large stone pillars, hence the name "Shiwu" (Stone House). Not only are the materials unique, but the construction techniques are also highly refined — the stone blocks are seamlessly joined, earning it a reputation as a marvel of southern Chinese architecture. Moreover, the stone carvings inside the residence are also representative: the central gate tower features patterns such as "Double Phoenixes Facing the Sun" and "Dragon and Phoenix Bringing Prosperity," carved with delicate lines, clear layers, and lifelike imagery. The stone bases are adorned with exquisitely carved designs including lions, elephants, deer, cranes, the Four Treasures of the Study, and floral motifs, showcasing typical Huizhou carving characteristics and remarkable artistry. Over the years, the Shiwu Stone House has garnered widespread attention from academic circles both in China and abroad. It is widely recognized as holding great value for the study of Ming and Qing society, thought, culture, folklore, and architectural art.

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 Town is the first town along the Fu River. It borders Yangxi Township to the east, Mulan Township and Xiaosong Town of Shicheng County to the south, Zhan Tian Township of Ningdu County to the west, and Chishui Town of the same county to the north. The town covers a total area of 202 square kilometers, governing 18 villages, 172 village groups, and 1 residential committee, with a total population of 25,000. Yiqian has a long history, numerous historical sites, and a profound cultural heritage. It is home to one national key cultural relics protection unit, three provincial-level key cultural relics protection units, and seven municipal-level key cultural relics protection units. It has been successively awarded the title of National Historical and Cultural Town... For more detailed information about Yiqian Town ++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units