Ancient Architectural Complex of Dayuan Miao Village

Ancient Architectural Complex of Dayuan Miao Village

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Dayuan Miao Village is a cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province.

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Dayuan Miao Village is a well-preserved, historically significant "museum" of architecture.

Since the 21st year of the Zhenguan era in the Tang Dynasty (647 AD), after a chieftain of the Songwai Man people, Yang Tongwai, along with Yang Jiansong and others, were pacified by imperial decree, granted official titles and land, one branch of their descendants began to settle and thrive in their territory around Huangguachong (phonetically noted as Royal Charge; original note: Cucumber Charge). This account is recorded in official histories and some local chronicles. Meanwhile, the *Genealogy of the Yang Family* states that Yang Guangyu, the great-grandson of Yang Zaisi, settled in Dayuan (where Yang Guangyu’s tomb is located). Due to discrimination against ethnic minorities by certain prominent imperial officials, excessive and unbearable taxes led to frequent resistance and unrest. To maintain peace in the region, the imperial court repeatedly deployed troops for both suppression and pacification. Between the Taiping and Xining eras of the Song Dynasty (976–1077), a fortress named Guanxia Zhai was established just two li from Huangguachong, along with the construction of city walls. Thereafter, Huangguachong was renamed "Dayuan." Given that Dayuan was a necessary stopover for merchants and travelers, serving as a defensive outpost and a hub connecting various directions, the village was built on a considerable scale and grew rapidly over time. Today, the village retains a large number of well-preserved ancient buildings and structures, characterized by distinct architectural periods. The craftsmanship of stone, brick, and wood exhibits strong regional features. Stone inscriptions, plaques, relics, tombs, ancient stone lanes, folk utensils, festival rituals, and residential courtyards all clearly document the historical development of the Dayuan settlement since the Tang and Song dynasties, as well as the rise and fall of the Yang family clan. These historic relics include: a Land Temple built during the Song Dynasty, serving as a place for local Miao people to worship and pray for disaster relief; the San Gong Tong Xin Road (namely Changzhi, Changyu, and Changxie), a stone path intended to encourage villagers who left home to eventually return; the San Zhan Hall, dedicated to teaching and educating scholars within the village; four main lanes paved with copper drum stones, spanning a total length of 1,800 meters, linking every household; the tomb of Yang Guangyu, a Golden Purple Guanglu Doctor buried in Rongshan; as well as fully functional shops and post stations—physical testimonies to the thriving trade and commerce of the Ming and Qing periods in Dayuan Miao Village. There are also 73 multi-storied houses with varied forms, featuring rustic and simple gable and hip roofs, bracket-and-beam wooden frameworks, creating an enchanting classical settlement landscape.

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Dayuan Miao Village embodies the concept of “harmony between man and nature.” Its layout, construction techniques, spatial utilization, and craftsmanship reflect the profound heritage of the Wu Xi culture, making it a radiant jewel of ancient architecture nestled in the ethnic minority regions of southwestern Hunan.

Dayuan Miao Village faces south and backs north, nestled against Houlong Mountain and fronted by the Jade Belt River. The area of Darong Mountain resembles the shape of a ship. The four Yang brothers each built four settlements at locations such as Panpian at the eldest brother’s entrance, Wanli, Liangtingli, and Shipanqiao, which were later connected by the Copper Drum Stone Path to form the greater Dayuan.

The village features an intricate network of stone-paved Copper Drum Stone lanes that are both clean and tidy, guiding travelers along clear pathways. Along these lanes stand two-story enclosed tripartite courtyard homes of varying heights, elegant in design. These enclosed two-story tripartite courtyards, typically spanning three or five bays, are centered on the main hall’s central bay, enclosed by fireproof walls and whitewashed boundaries to create spacious inner courtyards—known as “sky wells.” The dry-laid, corbelled fireproof walls are outlined in white, giving a simple yet bright appearance. The main house features three or five bays with a flush gable roof covered in dark brown tiles, supported by a bracket-and-beam wooden structure. Flanking the main house are wing rooms. Due to climatic conditions, these side rooms are not very wide and are mostly two stories high, with one side featuring a “horse-riding veranda” or two sides featuring a “corner tower.” The windows and railings of the wing rooms are often adorned with carvings of flowers, plants, and animals symbolizing good fortune and happiness. The layout of the main house and wing rooms emphasizes the balance and proportion of interior space, drainage ditches, and sky wells, offering visitors a sense of harmony and equilibrium that evokes a deep sense of historical nostalgia. On the right side of the courtyard’s facade stands a bracket-and-beam “double gate,” while a small gate on the left is used for housing livestock. Each household is enclosed within itself, divided by the Copper Drum Stone lanes, creating a clear and organized community structure. Front houses and back courtyards align along the same axis—close up, they feature towering walls and secluded paths; from a distance, they present a picturesque view of densely arranged houses, truly a feast for the eyes.

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Dayuan Miao Village represents a perfect integration of nature and culture, encompassing architectural art, ethnic traditions, religious beliefs, and pastoral charm—a historical creation meticulously crafted to serve functional needs.

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Dayuan Miao Village benefits from its location in a pristine natural environment. Situated on the hilly terrain of Rongshan in Dayuan, the area is backed by the not-too-high Houlong Mountain, covered in lush pines, firs, and vegetation, while a crystal-clear Jade Belt Stream meanders from east to west in front of the village. The alluvial flatlands along the stream form fertile, expansive rice fields. The Miao people of Dayuan resolutely chose this land.

The architectural art of the Ancient Architectural Complex of Dayuan Miao Village primarily showcases the ingenious use of stone, brick, and wood. Its layout adapts to the local terrain, and the craftsmanship remains simple yet refined, bearing distinctive characteristics of Miao dwellings and strong regional techniques. The fact that such integrity has been preserved even in today's rapidly developing era of transportation, technology, economy, and culture is a rare continuation of Dayuan’s ancient architectural legacy.

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Dayuan Miao Village preserves authentic architectural ensembles from the Song to the Qing Dynasties. Through the craftsmanship, materials, structural styles, foundational layouts, site selection, and overall arrangement reflected in these ancient buildings, one can trace the political, economic, cultural, and other historical successes and failures of Dayuan Miao Village since the Song and Qing periods. Therefore, the complex is not only an outstanding architectural achievement of the Song to Qing era but also a precious cultural heritage of the Chinese nation. With its rich cultural content, distinct period features, and strong regional character, it holds significant historical, artistic, and scientific value.

Further Reading:

· Ninth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Hunan Province