Dashuijing Ancient Architectural Complex

Dashuijing Ancient Architectural Complex

The Dashuijing Ancient Architectural Complex is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Dashuijing Ancient Architectural Complex is nestled among the vast mountains of Baiyangba Town, Lichuan City. Originally built in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, it is currently the largest, best-preserved, and artistically valuable ancient architectural complex in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, blending Western and Tujia architectural features. The entire complex is composed of three parts: the Li Clan Ancestral Hall, the Li Clan Manor, and the Li Gaiwu Residence.

Before liberation, it served as a "fortified estate" where the Li Clan held clan, political, and military power. The Li Clan Ancestral Hall and Manor feature grand architecture and luxurious ornamentation. Their columns and beams are carved with floral designs, while their upturned eaves and ridges are inlaid with blue-and-white porcelain fragments forming various patterns. The decorated towers and window frames are carved with exquisitely crafted images of flowers, birds, insects, and fish. The courtyards also contain ponds and elaborate flower stands, along with various reliefs and couplets, all well-preserved. In 2002, the State Council designated the Li Clan Ancestral Hall, the Li Clan Manor, and the Li Gaiwu Residence as national cultural relics protection units.

Today, the Li Clan Manor in Dashuijing covers a construction area of over 6,000 square meters, with 24 courtyards and 174 rooms, densely arranged on a grand scale. Judging from the two distinctly different architectural styles and methods, the manor can be divided into two sections: the southwestern part largely retains the original appearance of the old Huang family residence, built in the late Ming dynasty, with wooden frames and walls that are simple and elegant, rich in ethnic and regional characteristics; the northeastern part was continuously renovated and expanded by the Li Clan after the Qing Qianlong period, combining brick and wood structures with a blend of Chinese and Western elements, exuding a free-spirited and imposing charm. At both ends of the manor stand a young lady’s tower and an embroidery tower, each with soaring upturned eaves, facing east and west respectively, echoing each other from afar, with distinct and well-proportioned layouts.

The entire manor is largely well-preserved, with its main structure consisting of three courtyards and four wings. The entrance gate is built in the northeast, forming a 45-degree angle with the central axis of the main house, reflecting feng shui principles and symbolizing "a dragon leaping into the sea," aiming to directly face the "dragon’s mouth" where the local river meets the Yangtze River. The stone-like plaque above the gate is milky white like jade, inscribed with four bold running script characters: “Qinglian Meiyin” (Azure Lotus Shade), with powerful strokes. Inside the gate, the courtyard is spacious and tidy, paved with neat flagstones. After ascending over ten stone steps across the courtyard, you enter the main gate, behind which lies the great hall. A Western-style colonnade spans the left and right sides, with tall square pillars and arched eaves adorned with white lime floral patterns, creating a rugged yet magnificent atmosphere. To the right of the central hall is the flower hall, exquisitely carved and luxuriously appointed; to the left is the accounting room, where a one-meter-square regular script character “Ren” (forbearance) is painted on the whitewashed wall of the courtyard, with vigorous brushstrokes. The front hall, central hall, and rear hall are separated by courtyards, with corridors connecting them beneath the eaves, and decorated towers winding through, providing access in all directions. To the left and right of the rear hall are the living quarters of Li Liangqing and Li Zilin, great-great-grandsons of Li Tinglong, surrounded by osmanthus fragrance and floral arrangements, creating a serene atmosphere. The manor features over 20 types of window lattice patterns and column base reliefs, each with its own style based on the courtyard, whether carved or embossed, square or round, offering a unique scene in every room. The original interior furnishings were elegant and refined, with beds, desks, chairs, and tables all made of rosewood, inlaid and decorated in various ways. Nearly a hundred pieces of furniture remain, though most have been scattered among the public. Additionally, between 1942 and 1948, another great-great-grandson of Li Tinglong, Li Gaiwu, built a residence in Putao Pond east of Longqiao, covering an area of 2,000 square meters. Its architectural style resembles that of the Dashuijing Manor, named “Gaoyangtai” (High Admiration Terrace) with the meaning of “looking up to the high mountains.” The completion of the Li Gaiwu Residence not only increased the density of the architectural complex but also further highlighted the central prominence of the Li Clan Ancestral Hall from both sides, enhancing the overall symmetry, harmony, and commanding presence of the ensemble.

Baiyangba Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Lichuan City. Before 1949, it belonged to Baiyang District, Fengjie County, Sichuan Province. In 1952, it was incorporated into Lichuan County, Hubei Province, renamed Baiyangba Commune in 1980, and became a town in 1996. Located in the northern part of the city, it is 27 kilometers from the urban area and 10 kilometers from National Highway 318. The road from Lichuan to Fengjie County runs east to west through the town. It governs Baiyangba, Xiangshui, Streets Residential Area, Xiping, Yixin, Dayan, Xinmin, Matishui, Leijiaping, Xiangtan, Longfeng, Youhao, Shuangli, Yanhe, Qiyue, Shuangtang, Guihua, Qixin, Batai, Houhe, Wayaping, Luziping, Longxing, Longguan... More detailed information about Baiyangba Town++

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Hubei Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Fifth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units