Pengjiazhai Ancient Architectural Complex

Pengjiazhai Ancient Architectural Complex

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

Pengjiazhai is located in Lianghekou Village, Shadaogou Town, Xuan'en County, situated in the Wuling Mountain area of western Hubei. Longtan River flows from northeast to southwest in front of the village, while streams from the surrounding mountains embrace the settlement.

Pengjiazhai is one of the typical representations of Tujia ethnic villages in the Wuling Mountains. When multiple individual buildings form the village, they are arranged around shared public spaces such as courtyards and covered bridges. The stilt-house complex relies on Guanyin Mountain and is built on the sloping foothills, with a row of rice paddies in front of the village facing Longtan River, which is spanned by an iron-chain bridge. To the left is Zhaodagou, and to the right is Chajigou, with a century-old pavilion bridge spanning the gully. In front of the village is a shared public courtyard, behind which lies a row of sweet potato cellars among the bamboo grove, and to the east is the Peng family cemetery. The historical buildings of Pengjiazhai cover an area of about 8,000 square meters, all of which are stilt houses, consisting of 22 houses and one covered bridge. The houses mainly include the former residences of Peng Jiwen, Peng Wuyuan, Peng Wujiie, Peng Jiuyuan & Yang Zuxiang, Peng Jijian, Peng Nanxiang, Peng Jiquan, Zhou Pin, Peng Jiliang, Peng Wenyong, Peng Jishuang, Peng Jishu, Peng Qimeng, Peng Jishan, Peng Jisong, Peng Jigen, Peng Jishu, Peng Jifu, Peng Jigui & Peng Jiqing, Peng Wusheng, Peng Wushun, and Peng Yi.

Pengjiazhai holds significant value for the study of Tujia ethnic village construction. From the selection of the site and overall layout, to vegetation arrangement and the construction of individual stilt houses, it reflects the Tujia people's culture, lifestyle, and the harmonious relationship between architecture and the environment.

Lianghe Village: Located in Lianghekou Village, Shadaogou Town, Xuan'en County, Hubei Province, it lies at the source of the You River, the mother river of the Tujia people, and within the buffer zone of the Qizimeishan National Nature Reserve. The village boasts beautiful scenery, with two mountain ranges stretching from east to southwest and Longtan River flowing through it. The village has a population of over 1,300, 80% of whom are Tujia.

During the Yuan Dynasty, Lianghekou Village was under the jurisdiction of the Xuanwei Si of Hunan Zhenbian; in the Ming Dynasty, it belonged to the Zhongdong Anfu Si of Shizhou Wei. After the abolition of the native chieftain system, it became part of Zhongdong Li in Xuan'en County. The area contains ancient cultural sites such as hanging coffins and cliff temples, and a Han Dynasty Yong Bell was once unearthed. The Hongshi Sujia Gully along Longtan River is part of Xuan'en's... Detailed information on Lianghe Village++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Hubei Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units