Xiang Residence in Naoqiu Village

Xiang Residence in Naoqiu Village

The Xiang Residence in Naoqiu Village, Wangcun Town, was once home to General Xiang Minsi from the Republican era. Built during the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1875–1908), the residence has a history of over a hundred years. The foundation faces south with the main building consisting of two sections front and back, flanked by wing rooms with open-air stilted balconies at both ends, forming a long, courtyard-style layout commonly referred to as “two dragons guarding the master,” spanning 19.5 meters east-west and 40.8 meters north-south. The structure is entirely made of wood using a mortise-and-tenon system. The main hall features five columns and eight brackets, with a ridge height of 6.38 meters and eaves height of 3.6 meters. The western side of the residence sits on a high stone platform foundation, built to compensate for the uneven terrain.

The residence features a rigorous layout, clear and rational structure, and exquisite decorations. The central door panels of the main hall’s central room are intricately carved with flowers, plants, insects, fish, and narrative scenes. These carvings are richly composed, vividly expressive, lively and interesting. The carving techniques are refined, with smooth and rounded lines that demonstrate a high level of artistic craftsmanship. Originally, the residence had two courtyards, but the entrance gate and the left-side stilted section have now been demolished.