The Chen Family Mansion at Shakou

The Chen Family Mansion at Shakou

The Chen Family Mansion in Taoping Village and the only well-preserved Qing Dynasty Wenfeng Ancient Pagoda in the county remain unchanged in appearance despite centuries of wind and rain.

The Chen Family Mansion was built in the sixth year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (i.e., 1744 AD) and is located in Taoping Village, Shakou Town. It consists of four branch ancestral halls, namely the Tuìyǐn Branch Hall, Wénquán Branch Hall, Zàiyáng Branch Hall, and Jiànyáng Branch Hall. Covering an area of thousands of acres, the ancestral halls are surrounded by closely spaced residential houses, featuring grand architecture with three tiers of brick-and-wood structures in the upper, middle, and lower sections, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, exuding a majestic aura.

Shakou Town: Located in the southeastern part of Xiushui County, at the border between Xiushui and Tonggu counties, Shakou has historically been a strategic military location where the First Regiment of the First Division of the Workers' and Peasants' Revolutionary Army was once stationed and reorganized. It covers an area of 173.8 square kilometers, with a population of 20,016, and governs 12 administrative villages. The area features a subtropical humid monsoon climate, with distinct seasons, mild temperatures, and abundant rainfall, making it particularly suitable for eco-agricultural development.

The people of Shakou have long been known for their simple and sincere folk customs, warm hospitality, polite demeanor, diligence, frugality, and hard work in building their community. Shakou residents enjoy tea and customarily serve a bowl of tea to guests, particularly from the Hakka tea tradition. More details about Shakou Town++