Shihuadian Ten-Room Building

Shihuadian Ten-Room Building

The Shihuadian Ten-Room Building is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Shandong Province.

The Shihuadian Ten-Room Building is located in Shihuadian Town, Tengzhou City. It dates back to the Qing Dynasty. In 2013, it was designated as part of the fourth batch of provincial-level cultural heritage sites by the People's Government of Shandong Province.

The Ten-Room Building is located in the central area of Xiaoshilou Village, Shihuadian Town. It was first built in 1786, the 51st year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty. The project was completed over 30 years by Zhang Geng, the founding ancestor of the Zhang family from Xiaoshilou Village, and was originally called the Shilou Villa. It earned the nickname “Ten-Room Building” because it housed 50,000 volumes of books within its ten rooms. The original Shilou Villa consisted of five east-west sections, over 30 quadrangle courtyards, and more than 220 halls and rooms, covering a total area of over 20 acres. It was a typical residential-style ancient architectural complex in northern China during the Qing Dynasty. At the time, it was the largest among the former Zhang Family Courtyard in Shihuadian Village, the Liu Family Courtyard in Liucun Village, and the Ye Family Courtyard in Gaocun Village within the region. Five grand south-facing gate halls stand tall, with ancient locust trees shading the front and numerous horse-tethering posts lining the entrance. The grand reception hall in the west courtyard was built on a high platform, presenting a majestic sight. The “Waist Tower” in the middle courtyard has five stories and offers a panoramic view of Xiaoshilou Village. In the southeast corner of the east courtyard stands a two-story guard tower that once served as the headquarters of the self-defense militia of the pseudo-Xizhong Township. To the east of the courtyard lies an imposing ancestral hall of the Zhang family. The halls, towers, and pavilions of the Shilou Villa all feature traditional hanging hip-and-gable wooden structures with blue bricks and small tiles, exuding an antique charm. Between the various courtyards, there are arched gateways, winding paths, brick-paved grounds, exotic flowers, rare plants, boxwoods, and bamboos, creating a delightful scenery.

Xiaoshilou Village: Xiaoshilou Village…… More details about Xiaoshilou Village++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites in Shandong Province