The Yangjiazhai Water Mill Cluster

The Yangjiazhai Water Mill Cluster

By the Jinjiang River beneath Yangjiazhai in Xinying Village, Lanli Town, Mayang Miao Autonomous County, there are four ancient, interconnected wooden water mills, collectively known as the Yangjiazhai Water Mill Cluster.

This ancient water mill cluster was once the lodging place of the renowned Qing Dynasty figure Lin Zexu when he traveled along the Chen River (the upper reaches of the Yuan River, the Jinjiang River) to inspect troops in Fenghuang, western Hunan. In the 17th year of the Daoguang reign (1837), Lin Zexu, then serving as the Governor-General of Huguang, recorded in his diary, published in The Biography of Lin Zexu: “...headed to Fenghuang Ting in the Miao region to inspect the troops... traveled upstream along the river, set off on the 29th of August, and by evening had gone more than ten li beyond the Lanli station but could not proceed further due to broken water barriers and a failed attempt to cross the rapids. A thunderstorm persisted throughout the night without ceasing, the weather remained chilly, so I moored the boat and spent the night in a paper-making workshop (the large grindstone).” This historical account by a notable figure has added prestige to this mill cluster.

The Xinying Yangjiazhai Water Mill Cluster originated in the Yuan Dynasty. The internal water wheel structure within the pits is largely similar to that of ancient water mills. What sets it apart is that the four mills are spaced over ten zhang apart from each other and are connected by wooden bridges, forming a single integrated unit. One mill is built close to the riverbank, with three sides of its pit constructed from stone, while the side facing the water is supported by water willow trees. At the center of the millstone is installed a stone mill with a hollow center, where a thick central shaft (commonly known as the General’s Pillar), over two zhang tall, is erected. The top of the pillar forms a forked shape where an arc-shaped large willow wood beam is mounted, with the other end attached to the stone mill. The central shaft extends downward inside the pit to a wooden horizontal wheel (commonly called the Dragon Coil Frame). On the water-facing side of the pit, a wooden waterwheel is installed; water flow turns the waterwheel, which drives the horizontal wheel (Dragon Coil Frame), which in turn powers the stone millstones above, capable of grinding grain, milling flour, and pulping paper. The other three mills are built in the middle of the river, with circular pits constructed from stone and suspended in mid-air, presenting a majestic sight.

In recent years, this water mill cluster has attracted numerous literati, poets, and travelers who linger there, reluctant to leave. Reporters from China Central Television, nationally renowned photographers, painters, and tourists have flocked here in groups to record videos and capture the scenery...