Xicunfang Residential Complex

Xicunfang Residential Complex

The Xicunfang Residential Complex is located in Nongxi Village, Yidushui Town, Xinning County. Nestled against mountains and near water, it lies 70 kilometers south of Xinning County’s urban area and 3 kilometers west of the Yidushui Town government and National Highway 207. This architectural complex was first built by Li Changfu, a scholar, and completed in 1752 during the 17th year of the Qianlong reign in the Qing Dynasty. It is divided into three main parts: residences, ancestral halls, and guildhalls, with a total construction area of 6,218 square meters. The ancestral hall and guildhall were respectively destroyed in 1985 and 1993. The surviving residential section covers an area of 3,168 square meters. The residential buildings face southeast to northwest and are arranged in three vertical and three horizontal lines, forming nine quadrangle courtyards of diverse styles that are both unified and relatively independent. The courtyards are spaced 2 meters apart, connected by cobblestone pathways paved in plum blossom patterns for anti-slip purposes, crisscrossed with drainage ditches. The layout is highly regular and well-organized. The complex is majestic and rustic, with upturned eaves and carved flowers and plants on each building. Each courtyard is enclosed by a white-plastered cobblestone wall on the outside and features wooden structures inside. Every courtyard has exquisitely built stone-paved courtyards, while doors and windows are adorned with various carved floral patterns, all of which are classic and pleasing to the eye. The grand scale and exquisite craftsmanship of this architectural complex are rare in Xinning and hold significant historical, scientific, and artistic value, making it a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture.

To the northeast of the residential complex, a small river flows from west to southeast. Spanning the river is the Huixi Bridge, a pavilion-style covered bridge constructed in 1816 during the 21st year of the Jiaqing reign in the Qing Dynasty. It measures 21.6 meters in length, 3.66 meters in width, and 4.65 meters in height. The bridge features three pavilions with upturned eaves and double-layered hip-and-gable roofs. The central and end sections of the bridge are equipped with pavilions, each having a triple-eave, four-corner hip-and-gable roof with upturned corners and covered with gray tiles. The central pavilion houses a shrine with an offering table. The beams and brackets are either open-carved or intricately hollowed out with simple yet bold patterns, making them outstanding examples of ancient folk sculpture art. The bridge’s delicate and rustic design adds a finishing touch to the picturesque Xicunfang Residential Complex. In 2011, the residential complex was designated as a provincial-level cultural heritage site by the People’s Government of Hunan Province.

The Xicunfang Residential Complex preserves a total of nine early Qing Dynasty courtyard complexes consisting of 32 buildings. Constructed and expanded through several generations during the Qianlong, Jiaqing, and Daoguang reigns of the Qing Dynasty, it has formed the architectural layout seen today. The complex is preserved authentically and intact. Its cultural heritage value lies in the fact that it represents a typical group of civilian residences from the early Qing Dynasty in the mountainous regions of southwestern Hunan. It integrates ancestral halls, guildhalls, and residential buildings for daily living. Its site selection, layout, and construction reflect a harmonious integration of nature and human culture. Its large scale is uncommon in the southwestern Hunan region. Although originally the property of the Li family of Xicunfang, with the passage of time and cultural accumulation, it is now regarded as a shared asset of society and humanity from a historical perspective. It stands as a microcosm and physical testament to regional social renewal, cultural progress, and technological advancement. The complex embodies profound traditional Chinese cultural characteristics and holds high historical and cultural relic value.