The Ancient Architectural Complex of Baisha

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Baisha

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Baisha is a cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province.

Baisha Ancient Street: Located on the eastern side of Baisha Town in the southern part of Changning City. Initially built in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, it has a history of over 400 years. The existing structures mainly date back to the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, the Republican era, and the early years after the liberation, preserving constructions from the Ming and Qing periods. Despite centuries of weathering, it still retains one complete ancient street, 35 ancient alleys, one ancient road, and over 58 residential houses from different periods, with a total construction area of 180,000 square meters. Baisha Ancient Street and its architectural complex not only feature the architectural characteristics of the mid-Ming and Qing periods and the European-style architecture of the Republican era but also incorporate local architectural styles of southern Hunan. With distinct era features, clear structural layouts, and rich historical and cultural remains from various periods, it holds significant historical research value. It is one of the better-preserved and larger-scale ancient commercial architectural complexes in Changning City.

In 2019, the Ancient Architectural Complex of Baisha was included in the tenth batch of provincial-level cultural relic protection units in Hunan Province.

Baisha Town: Baisha Town is located in the southeastern part of Changning City, upstream of the Chongling River, a tributary of the Xiang River. It faces Leiyang across the river to the east, borders Guiyang to the southwest via the Dayi Mountain, and neighbors Yongxing to the southeast. It is an important market town on the border of four counties (cities): Changning, Leiyang, Guiyang, and Yongxing. In May 1995, during the district and township consolidation, the former Yangjia Township was merged into Baisha Town. By the end of 1998, it governed 28 villages, 4 neighborhood committees, 204 villager groups, 7,471 households, and 29,393 people, including 1,403 non-agricultural residents, covering a total area of 44 square kilometers with 11,700 mu of arable land, including 8,6… Detailed information about Baisha Town++

Further Reading:

· The Tenth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units in Hunan Province