Ancient Architectural Complex of Xiche River

Ancient Architectural Complex of Xiche River

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Xiche River is a cultural heritage site protected by Hunan Province.

In late August 2017, the State Ethnic Affairs Commission announced the second batch of China's Featured Ethnic Minority Villages. Xiche Village in Xichehe Town, Longshan County, received another national-level honor after Laodong Village was recognized as a "Traditional Chinese Village" by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. Xiche Village is the birthplace of Tujia culture, with a long history, simple and honest folk customs, beautiful landscapes, rich ethnic culture, unique local industries, and the Tujia language still widely spoken today. The Chadi area of Xiche Village still preserves a Tujia Hand-Waving Stone Tablet, which was restored in the 24th year of the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty (1844). The Santang Hall at Xiche River is also one of the five major Hand-Waving Halls in Xiangxi Prefecture.

Entering Xichehe Town feels like stepping into an exquisitely toned ancient painting. Upon arrival, the first thing that catches your eye is a beautifully crafted modern open-spandrel stone arch bridge, with ancient stone carvings of round patterns embedded in its railings—likely remnants from an older bridge. A bridge construction stele indicates that this bridge was completed in 1997. Several large bridges form the unique scenic landscape of the ancient town. Among them, the Liangting Bridge of Xiche Bridge was first built in the 13th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1887), the Banlong Highway Bridge over the Xiaohé River was constructed in 1976, and the Xeta Highway Bridge over the Dahe River was built in 1997. The delicately designed Liangting Bridge resembles two dragons lying across the waves, while the majestic highway bridges span like rainbows, connecting the three riverbanks into one and forming the main streets of Dongping Street, Yanhe Avenue, Xiaohé Street, Wanzhi Street, and Pozhi Street.

Walking along the old street of Xichehe, one can't help but marvel at the effort the older generations must have put into building the ancient streets—Dongping Street, Xinjie, Dingzi Street, Wanzhi Street, Xiaohé Street, and Pozhi Street—out of massive slabs of bluestone along the three riverbanks. On those polished bluestone paths, ancient shops stand in close succession, while Tujia stilted houses, built against mountains and above water, either proudly perch atop cliffs with clouds and misty trees around them, or cast reflections on clear pools with lanterns shimmering on the river under the autumn moon. A serene beauty within tranquility, and tranquility within beauty, brews an infinite warmth that captivates and lingers in the heart.

Located at the confluence of Xiche River and Dianfang River in Laotan Town, Longshan County, the village of Rebalā in Luoché River boasts 5 Ming Dynasty buildings, 58 Qing Dynasty structures, 34 Republic-era constructions, and 287 distinctive Jiaozi Houses, Siheyuan Water Houses, and Corner Towers. These are representative of ancient Tujia architecture and unique vernacular dwellings, forming a vast ancient architectural complex that was listed as a Cultural Heritage Site of Hunan Province in January 2011. Among them is a Tujia Liangting Bridge originally built in the first year of the Guangxu reign (1875 AD), which was later destroyed by floods but has been recently restored. The Rebalā Wind and Rain Bridge spans the Luoché River in the Rebalā Tujia Ancient Village Scenic Area of Longshan County. It features a tri-directional "Y"-shaped structure, with a wooden main body that connects the three Tujia natural villages of Luoché, Liangjiazhai, and Rebalā within the scenic area. Stretching over 300 meters in total length, with a main bridge section of 288.8 meters, the Rebalā Wind and Rain Bridge surpasses the world-record-holding Zhijiang Longjin Wind and Rain Bridge, which is 246.7 meters long, by 41.1 meters. It fully retains the characteristics and architectural symbols of Tujia wind and rain bridges, making it the longest and most distinctive Tujia-style wind and rain bridge in the world.

Xichehe Town: Located 65 kilometers southeast of Longshan County, Xichehe Town borders Tasha Township to the east, Zagu Township to the west, Miaertan Town to the south, and Luota Township to the north. During the Republican era, it was part of WuZhai Township. In 1950, it was divided among Kedong, Caoguo, Xiwu, and Mailong townships. In 1956, the district was abolished and the Xiche Administrative Office was established; in 1958, the Xiche Commune was formed. In 1961, the Xiche Commune was reestablished. In 1984, the commune was dissolved to form the town. Covering a total area of 175 square kilometers, it includes 391.68 hectares of paddy fields and 168.11 hectares of dry land. The town has 3,689 households and a population of 13,308, predominantly Tujia. The highest elevation is... More detailed information about Xichehe Town ++

Further Reading:

· Ninth Batch of Cultural Heritage Sites of Hunan Province