Xingtai Yingtan Ancient Village

Xingtai Yingtan Ancient Village

Xingtai Yingtan Ancient Village is a cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province.

Yingtan Village is located in the mountainous western part of Xingtai County, Hebei Province, within the territory of Lupao Town, over 60 kilometers from Xingtai City and 8 kilometers west of Lupao Town. The village is divided into three natural hamlets, with a total of 200 households and a population of over 620. Historical scholars have praised it as a blessed land of outstanding people and spiritual energy. The village features uniquely beautiful natural scenery and profound historical and cultural heritage. With its green mountains and clear waters, simple and honest folkways, it is known for its one river, three mountains, six cliffs, nine valleys, eighteen hills, and the title of "the No. 1 ancient stone village north of the Yangtze River." The ancient village built at the foot of the hill is surrounded by stone walls that look particularly imposing under the cover of trees; the eastern gate leading into the village resembles a small city tower with its tall stone gatehouse; the stone houses within the walls are built along the hillside, simple and elegant, scattered at varying heights; golden corn drying on the rooftops complements the ancient trees, creating a simple, beautiful, and magical rural scene.

According to records, the village was first established in the second year of the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1403 AD). At that time, a family surnamed Lu migrated here from Hongtong, built houses, settled down, and developed, making it over 600 years old. The village currently has 175 households and a population of over 640, cultivating more than 370 acres of land, while also owning over 10,000 acres of mountain land, with chestnuts and walnuts being the main cash crops.

Walking into the ancient village, you’ll find lush trees, occasional small bridges over flowing streams, and blooming flowers everywhere; the streets paved with mountain stones and the stacked stone steps remain orderly despite hundreds of years of history; the rectangular stone houses are ancient yet sturdy; the hillside residences, mostly two- or three-story buildings, are built along the contours of the mountain, allowing access either through the yard or up to the upper floors. From the streets to the houses, from the walls to the roofs, the entire ancient village is built and paved with stones, especially the ancient city walls, watchtowers, and the four corner gates, which are highly distinctive. The village before your eyes resembles a medieval European castle.

Legend has it that during the late Tang Dynasty, the rebel army of Huang Chao once camped here and held a gathering of heroes, from which the village got its name, Yingtan (meaning “Heroic Discussion”). During the War of Resistance against Japan, it served as the site of the Kuomintang provincial government and the headquarters of the Jinnan Bank. The 67 courtyards built within the ancient village are exquisitely crafted, simple and elegant, featuring the typical architectural style of ancient Taihang. The small stone towers, ancient city walls, Sihe Hall, dripping spring, and wave-patterned stone screen wall in the village have all withstood centuries of wind and rain, yet still retain their original appearance. It is one of the best-preserved stone villages discovered in northern China; the folk customs preserved here serve as important historical material for studying the local culture of southern Hebei during the Ming and Qing dynasties; with its simple folkways, beautiful mountains and waters, and pleasant climate, this serene mountain village is like a paradise on earth, captivating visitors who find it hard to leave.

Transportation Guide

Location: Yingtan Village, Lupao Town, Xingtai County, Hebei Province

Transportation: Take a bus from Xingtai to Lupao Town, then transfer to a minibus to Yingtan.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Hebei Province