Residence of Marquis of Liu

The Residence of Marquis of Liu

The Residence of Marquis of Liu is the home of descendants of the Celestial Master family. The term “第” means a large residence, so the Residence of Marquis of Liu is essentially the private residence of the Zhang family. It is a representative example of the traditional residential architecture in the ancient town.

Historical records indicate that Shangqing Ancient Town has a history of over a thousand years, serving as a hub for commerce and shipping in the southwestern part of Xinzhou, a center for Taoist and Confucian culture, and a gathering place for prominent families. As a result, in ancient times, Shangqing Town was bustling with wealthy merchants, and its private residences were scattered all over, forming dozens of lanes and alleys of varying sizes along the ancient streets. These winding, secluded, and well-connected lanes are another distinctive feature of Shangqing Ancient Town. The lanes were named after the surnames of the residents, such as Jiang Family Lane, Li Family Lane, and Chai Family Lane. The ancient private residences in Shangqing were exquisitely built and infused with rich local customs and traditions. Most of them face south, feature brick walls and grey tiles, and present an elegant color scheme of black and white. The north-south brick walls are aligned, while the east-west gables, also known as horse-head walls, rise higher than the roofs and vary in height. The main gate, serving as the facade of the residence, was given special attention during construction. Typically made of rammed earth or bluestone, the gates feature stone door frames, stone lintels, and bridge-shaped stone slabs above the doors, often carved with the character “福” (fortune) or the Taiji (yin-yang) diagram. Above the gate lintel, inscriptions such as “Residence of Marquis of Liu” or “Palace Guardian Residence” were engraved based on the homeowner’s historical status or background. Profoundly meaningful couplets were often displayed on both sides of the gate, adding artistic and cultural charm. For families with a history of producing scholars or notable individuals, a flagpole stand was erected in front of the gate. The interiors of these residences were typically divided into one, two, or three sections, with courtyards connecting to the main halls, ensuring ample natural light. Larger courtyards sometimes featured fish tanks, potted plants, or rockeries. While the courtyards primarily served to bring in light, local customs believed they also symbolized “all wealth flowing into the home, none flowing out.” Each side of the main hall had two bedrooms, with window lattices often intricately carved with auspicious folk tales or scenes from traditional operas. The scale of these ancient residences varied, with larger ones belonging to prominent families such as the Cai and Ni families. Among the many private homes, the Zhang family residence stood out as the most distinguished. This was the home of descendants of the Zhang Celestial Master family. According to the hereditary rules of the Celestial Masters, the eldest son inherited the position of Celestial Master and resided in the Celestial Master’s Mansion, while his brothers, after dividing the family property, moved out to live in the Zhang family residence. The Celestial Master lineage continued for 63 generations over more than 1,800 years, resulting in a wide variety of family residences, including the “Residence of Marquis of Liu,” “Hereditary Residence of Marquis of Liu,” and “Prosperous Descendants of Marquis of Liu.”

The current “Residence of Marquis of Liu” is one of the surviving buildings of its kind. It was the home of Zhang Fuchu, the younger brother of the 62nd Celestial Master Zhang Yuanxu, and was designed and built by the 61st Celestial Master Zhang Renzheng for his children before they divided the property. Constructed over 100 years ago, it covers a building area of 2,000 square meters and a land area of 6,000 square meters. The entire private residence is divided into three parts: the main structure, auxiliary rooms, and a garden with a fishpond. The main structure is rectangular, faces south, and is surrounded by grey brick walls, commonly referred to as “wind walls,” which serve primarily to prevent fire, wind, and theft.