Traditional Residential Buildings of Chengzhuang Village

Traditional Residential Buildings of Chengzhuang Village

The traditional residential buildings of Chengzhuang Village are a cultural relic protection unit of Henan Province.

The traditional residential buildings of Chengzhuang Village are located in Chengzhuang Village, Lizhuang Township, Baofeng County, Pingdingshan City. To the west lies Heyao Village, approximately 1.5 kilometers northwest of the Fucheng Site, a national key cultural relic protection unit. To the east is Likou Township of Jia County. The village covers an area of 1.6 square kilometers. In the fifth year of the Tongzhi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1866), scattered soldiers and bandits were plundering homes. To guard against such threats, the villagers moved stones and dug trenches to build a stone fortress, hence the name "Tongxie Fort." The stone fort has now been destroyed, but the fort trench remains. The traditional architecture and village layout of Chengzhuang Village record its development and evolution since the Ming Dynasty, reflecting changes in economic prosperity, decline, and cultural transitions. The ancient architectural complex is enclosed by the fort trench, featuring a fortress gate and a stage, and is surrounded by a moat. The buildings were constructed along the natural terrain. The residences are mostly courtyard-style, with rational functional zoning, clear primary and secondary structures, tall facades, and exquisite decorations. The architectural style is simple and elegant, with individual buildings arranged in a scattered yet harmonious manner, reflecting rational planning. They preserve the typical layout and architectural features of Qing Dynasty courtyards, collectively showcasing the architectural style and construction standards of residential buildings in the region during the Qing Dynasty. The overall layout is rational and practical, serving as physical material for studying the architectural layout and design concepts of mid-to-upper-class family residences in the Qing Dynasty in this area, and holds significant scientific value.

The traditional residential buildings of Chengzhuang Village mainly date from the Ming and Qing Dynasties and the Republican era, concentrated in the northern part of the village. They primarily consist of single-story or two-story brick-and-stone structures. Architectural features include foundations and lower sills built from red stone, with gray-tiled roofs and green bricks, along with exquisitely crafted brick and wood carvings that are well preserved. The site includes 15 structures: the Cheng Family Courtyard, Liu Family Courtyard, Guan Yu Temple, Old House of Liu Chunfeng, Cheng Family Ancestral Hall, Old House of Liu Bang, Old House of Jiang Xin, Old House of Zhao Baoqian, Old House of Cheng Guangshan, Old House of Cheng Dalin, Old House of Cheng Mingxing, Old House of Cheng Daqin, Old House of He Zongjun, Old House of Liu Junyi, and a stone arch bridge. In 2013, Chengzhuang Village was jointly designated as part of the second batch of China's Traditional Villages by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Finance, and the State Administration of Cultural Heritage. In 2016, the traditional residential buildings of Chengzhuang Village were listed as part of the seventh batch of provincial-level cultural relic protection units by the provincial government.

Chengzhuang Village: Chengzhuang Village…… Detailed information about Chengzhuang Village++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units in Henan Province