Lichuan Zhouhu Da Fudi

Lichuan Zhouhu Da Fudi

Lichuan Zhouhu Da Fudi is a cultural heritage site of Jiangxi Province.

Lichuan Zhouhu Da Fudi is located in a mountain valley of Zhouhu Village, Huashan Reclamation Farm, more than 40 kilometers from Lichuan County town. Also known as the "Boat House" or "Boat-shaped Ancient Residence," it was built in the 24th year of the Daoguang reign during the Qing Dynasty (1844) and is of grand scale. It is a provincial-level cultural heritage site of Jiangxi Province. Cultural heritage site.

The main gate of "Da Fudi" is positioned along the central axis of the main building, exuding openness and grandeur. The door frame is constructed from large bluestones. The lintel features four outwardly protruding stone pillars with a regular hexagonal cross-section. Each pillar is about one foot in length and half a foot in diameter at the top, engraved with chrysanthemum-like patterns. Locals refer to it as the "Grand Square Flower Gate." Above the "Eight-directional Flower Gate" hangs a plaque that originally bore the three characters "Da Fudi" in upright, bold script. However, the plaque has been chiseled off.

Entering through the main gate, one passes successively through the front hall, middle hall, and rear hall, with courtyards separating each hall. On either side of the front hall, there are rooms on the upper floor known as the musicians’ rooms. These two rooms face each other and also have small holes opening to the rear, totaling four holes. This design serves a dual purpose: allowing servants to withdraw while also creating an acoustic resonance effect.

The outer walls of "Da Fudi" are horizontally aligned and built with blue bricks using a two-stretcher-one-closer pattern. Between the "bow," "hull," and "stern" sections are fire-resistant gables, which rise one foot above the roof ridge, shaped like horse heads. These gables are constructed from bricks, topped with gray tiles, and serve to protect against wind and fire. The interior wall bricks are specially made from field clay mixed with small pebbles, providing thermal insulation that keeps the interior warm in winter and cool in summer, much like a natural air conditioner. The brick walls are bonded with a mixture of glutinous rice and lime, then undergo multiple layers of plastering, resulting in an exceptionally smooth surface.

Further reading:

· Fifth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites