Nanwenzhi Village

Nanwenzhi Village

Nanwenzhi Village is located in Miaoshan Town. From the reign of Empress Wu Zetian (the fourth year of the Chang’an era during the Wu Zhou period) to the Jin Dynasty (the twelfth year of the Dading era), Nanwenzhi Village served as the site of the county government office of Laiwu. Today, the village still preserves a group of relatively well-preserved, large-scale ancient buildings from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Most of these historic houses date back to the early Qing Dynasty, with a few from the late Ming Dynasty. The village was first discovered by photography enthusiasts. With its ancient houses, carts, cornfields, and cooking smoke, it is definitely a great spot for photography.

To the north of the village lies the famous Jiushijiding Moyun Mountain, where peaks connect continuously, stretching endlessly with a majestic presence. To the west is the ruins of the Qi-Lu Great Wall (Shiwan Retaining Wall), and to the south is Sanyuan Palace, which was once the site of Ying County. The Miao (Mountain) – Chang (Village) Highway runs through the village, and the Xintai Railway lies close to the southern edge. The village originally had many ancient locust trees and cypresses, mostly distributed at the entrance and in the center. Some tree trunks were so thick that it took three or four people to encircle them. The trees stood tall, providing dense shade and making them ideal spots for leisure. However, they have been largely damaged over time, with very few remaining. To the south of the village is Guanyin Hall, where Guanyin Nainai (the Goddess of Mercy) is enshrined. People often come here to burn incense, praying for favorable weather throughout the seasons and the health of their families. In the 1950s, a theater was built in the eastern part of the village to host performances by visiting theater troupes and film crews, and it was quite popular for a time.

Due to the presence of many wealthy families in the village, the architecture is quite magnificent, earning it the nickname “Little Qufu of Laiwu.” Some of the residential courtyards closely resemble the architectural style of the Confucius Mansion, featuring multiple gates and layers of courtyards. Upon entering the main gate, you’ll find numerous other gates and yards, one nested within another. Each courtyard is meticulously arranged in the form of a traditional square quadrangle. The houses are constructed with blue tiles and timber. With upturned eaves and carved patterns, they are both elegant and grand. There are more than ten such courtyards in the village. Originally, there were over four buildings that served as studies, eight halls, and ornamental screens and doors adorned with precious floral designs. Zhang Dacheng achieved the prestigious title of Bajin in the imperial examinations. Outside the large courtyard, there were also flagpole bases, symbolizing the scholarly achievements of the villagers. However, apart from some well-preserved quadrangles, most of these structures have been destroyed in wars.

At the border between the western part of the village and Xigouya, there is a river that flows down from the upstream Hongqi Reservoir, passing through Dashixia, Xiaoshixia, and Shiwan before joining Xiangwan. The scenery here is enchanting, often referred to as the “Little Canglong Gorge.” During summer floods, water cascades down from heights of over ten meters, forming waterfalls that roar like thunder. The rocks on both sides of the gorge, shaped by the force of the water, are rugged and bizarre, with several karst caves. Downstream, there is a spring shaped like a horse’s hoof, called “Horse Hoof Spring.” It remains full year-round, whether in drought or flood, offering sweet and refreshing water. The clear spring, waterfalls, rocks, caves, and green trees make it a place people linger to enjoy.

Address: Nanwenzhi Village, Miaoshan Town, Laiwu City

Business Hours: All day

Recommended Visiting Time: About 3 hours

Highlights: Nanwenzhi Village still preserves a group of relatively well-preserved, large-scale ancient buildings from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Most of these historic houses date back to the early Qing Dynasty, with a few from the late Ming Dynasty.

Suggested Route: Qingshiguan Village – Nanwenzhi Village