Ancient Architectural Complex of Ledawan Village

Ancient Architectural Complex of Ledawan Village

The ancient architectural complex of Ledawan Village is a cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province.

Ledawan Village is located in Shiyang Town, Xintian County, Yongzhou City, situated southeast of the "Southern Wudang Mountain." It was established by the 11th-generation ancestor of the Le family—Gong Junzuo—during the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, boasting a history of over 600 years. The village traces its lineage to Le Leifa, the "Special Imperial Examination Top Scorer" and founding ancestor of Ledawan. Le Leifa, the fourth-generation ancestor of the Le family, was the Special Imperial Examination Top Scorer of the first year of the Baoyou era during the Southern Song Dynasty, leaving behind the famous "Eight Court Responses"; the fifth-generation ancestor Douzhi was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) of the first year of the Kaqing era; the sixth-generation ancestor Zhongqian, known as the "Child Prodigy," passed the imperial examination of the Renxu year in the third year of the Jingding era under the Fangshan Imperial List, giving rise to the anecdote "The son rides the father’s horse, the father hopes his son becomes a dragon." The founding patriarch of Ledawan, Le Zuojun, inspired future generations to uphold the spirit of "Loyalty and Filial Piety in Establishing Virtue, Farming and Scholarship in Passing on the Family," taking agricultural diligence as the foundation and emphasizing education and virtuous talent as paramount. This nurtured generations of literati and esteemed individuals. According to historical records: during the Ming and Qing dynasties, Ledawan Village produced "two Jinshi and seven Gongsheng (tribute students)." Notable figures include Le Guanzhou, a Jinshi of the fifth year of the Jiayou era in the Qing Dynasty (Year of the Ox), and Le Kexie, a Jinshi of the sixth year of the Daoguang era (Year of the Dog). During the democratic revolution period, the esteemed figure of Ledawan—Le Zhongguang—actively participated in the "New Culture Movement" and the New Democratic Revolution. After the liberation, he remained at Central South University (formerly Central South Institute of Mining and Metallurgy) as a professor until the end of the last century. During the Anti-Japanese War, another hero—Le Jirong—emerged from Ledawan Village. He served as a battalion commander and deputy regimental commander of the Anti-Japanese Self-Defense Force (later reorganized into the Anti-Japanese Independent Regiment). Ledawan Village can truly be described as a place of outstanding people and abundant talent. During the Ming and Qing periods, Ledawan was one of the "Four Ancient Civilized Villages" within Xintian County (as recorded in the Xintian County Annals: the "Four Ancient Civilized Villages" of Xintian during the Ming and Qing periods were Pengzicheng, Ledawan, Heshanyan, and Tanwenxi). This illustrates that Ledawan Village not only has a long history but also a profoundly rich cultural heritage.



Ancient Ancestral Hall

The founding ancestors of Ledawan Village incorporated the concept of harmony between heaven and humanity into the construction of the ancient dwellings. They regarded Jing Mountain as the Green Dragon to the left, Dami Ju as the White Tiger to the right, the Swallow Returning to the Nest as the ancestral mountain, and Sanji Ling as the ceremonial mountain. The Lion Mountain, shaped like a "crouching sleeping lion," served as the rear dragon mountain. Centered around the divine hall (also called the ancestral hall) at the foot of the rear dragon mountain, the ancient residential buildings all face west with their backs to the east. The overall planning layout follows a "six horizontal and four vertical" structure, scientifically and rationally designed, with lanes six to eight chi wide. The architectural style incorporates various influences from the Ming and Qing dynasties as well as the Republican era. To date, 34 well-preserved ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing periods remain, covering an area of over 20,000 square meters. There are also over 50,000 meters of exquisitely constructed and highly standardized bluestone lanes, more than 100 inscribed stone tablets and carvings, and countless brick and wood carvings. From the architectural planning, design styles of the ancient houses, and traces of construction craftsmanship in Ledawan, one can easily discern its long historical roots, profound cultural heritage, and unique architectural style. Many elegant plaques and clever couplets are still faintly visible, with inscriptions carrying deep meanings, stone and wood carvings of exquisite beauty, and murals and window decorations that are strikingly lifelike. From the preserved historical traces, one can not only feel the weighty "Loyalty and Filial Piety Culture" of the Southern Song Dynasty’s Le family top scorers but also appreciate the distinctive architectural style of ancient Yue folk houses.

Ancient Lanes



The rear dragon mountain of Ledawan resembles a crouching lion, guarding the village. In front of the village are the "Four Wells" (namely, the Menlou Well, Xinmenkou Well, Shekoukou Well, and Yatouling Well) that provide drinking water for the villagers, along with the "Four Ponds," which serve both as scenic ponds (fengshui ponds) and fire prevention reservoirs. There are two rivers in front of the village: the main one is the Shiyang River, flowing from south to northwest, originating from the Ji Well; to the left front is another river, flowing from southeast to northwest, originating from the Niu Well and Swan Well. In front and behind the village are two beautifully scenic small hills: the rear dragon mountain behind the village and the Shuikou Mountain in front. Both hills are covered with lush trees and ancient timber. There are six dams (Shuikou Dam, Baimang Dam, Sanqiu Dam, Shuimo Dam, Gaoho Dam, and Liangshui Dam) and three bridges (Xianren Bridge, Xiaqiu Bridge, and Sangen Bridge), showcasing the classic charm of Ledawan Village. The original Octagonal Pavilion stood majestically; after its reconstruction, the then Jinshi Le Kexie wrote "Record of the Pavilion’s Reconstruction," leaving behind the widely celebrated passage: "This divine cave lies below, the land controls the midstream, looking south to Jiuyi, reaching north to the Three Chus—not just a scenic site through the ages, but also a key thoroughfare." Beside the Octagonal Pavilion is the Jingxian Temple, with its gate facing due south. The couplet on the gate reads: "Scenes follow the divine waters where dragons of cloud and mist coil auspiciousness; immortals emerge from the treasure mountain where pines and cypresses stay evergreen," illustrating the beautiful surroundings. These elements provide invaluable historical material for the theory of Emperor Jianwen’s traces in Xintian.

Ledawan Village: Ledawan Village…… Detailed Information of Ledawan Village++

Further Reading:

· Tenth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Hunan Province