Pai Shan Village

Pai Shan Village

Pai Shan Village is an ancient village rich in Lingnan characteristics. Originally named Xie Pai Village, it is one of the natural villages under the administrative village of Ba Jia. Nestled against a small hill and facing vast fields, the village's residences were built along the sloping terrain, arranged from high to low in neat, orderly rows that are both slanted and aligned. Hence, when the village was established during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, it was named Xie Pai Village, and it wasn't until the early years of the Republic of China that it was renamed Pai Shan Village.

It is said that Tan Yingjing, the founding ancestor of the Tan clan in the village, originally came from Hengzhou, Hunan. In his early years, he followed his father Shao Huai to Guangdong to engage in business. In the 19th year of Qianlong (1754), he settled in Gongchangdu, Xiangshan (now Qianshan, Zhuhai). In the 43rd year (1778), Yingjing’s son, Quanshi Gong, moved to Xie Pai, where he later had three sons who established three family branches.

Upon entering Pai Shan Village, one is greeted by its uniquely ingenious layout, which is truly admirable and a testament to the wisdom of the village’s ancestors. Look— the village faces east and is block-shaped, with houses built along the mountain slope so that the entire village is bathed in morning sunlight, while the afternoon sun is avoided as it shifts westward, keeping the heat at bay. The drainage system runs seamlessly in all directions, ensuring no waterlogging even during heavy rain. The large pond in front of the village resembles a giant treasure bowl, gathering water and wealth. Visitors often say: this is a thoughtfully planned layout, a wonderful place both livable and enjoyable for travelers.

Most of the existing ancient houses in the village are made of rammed earth walls with tiled wooden structures. Clay carvings, brick carvings, and wood carvings—featuring dragons and phoenixes—are found everywhere, all exquisitely crafted and unique in design. The village is filled with old houses, resembling a maze. Strolling through the lanes, you’ll find ancient wells, carved wooden couplets, vintage suitcases from Jinshan, and old farming tools and furniture—all showcasing the distinctive vintage charm of a Lingnan ancient village.

The grand Tan Clan Ancestral Hall in front of the village features a majestic main structure, with beautifully detailed carvings that are vivid and full of profound cultural meaning. At the center of the ancestral hall’s main hall sits the portrait of Tan Quanshi, the founding patriarch of the clan, embodying the spirit of loyalty, filial piety, chastity, and righteousness of the Tan family.

Behind the village are several banyan trees over 200 years old, so large that six people can’t encircle their trunks. Their lush foliage provides ample shade, covering the area like a canopy. The cool breeze under the trees creates a comfortable resting spot, perfect for chatting or letting children play freely.

Pai Shan Village has existed for over 230 years. Its overall layout is highly unique, and ancient, traditional scenery abounds throughout the village. It is a rare Qing Dynasty-era ancient village in Zhuhai City.

Pai Shan Village is also a typical overseas Chinese village. The current permanent population is about 400, while the number of overseas Chinese and ethnic Chinese is slightly higher, most of whom reside in San Francisco, USA. These overseas villagers have worked diligently and strived to build their careers abroad. Though living in foreign lands, they remain deeply connected to their hometown and actively support local public welfare initiatives, donating to education and contributing to bridge and road construction. In recent years, with the support of overseas compatriots, the village has built two grand entrance gates and widened the road in front of the village, greatly improving its overall appearance.

In recent years, the village has focused on reclaiming barren hills and planting fruit trees to develop agro-tourism. The ancient village has become increasingly beautiful. In addition to growing rice, lychee, and starfruit, the village also cultivates a large number of strawberries, striving to transform the hometown into a “mountain of fruits” where lychees are harvested in summer and strawberries in winter. This attracts visitors to tour the area, taste fresh fruits, and enjoy the pastoral scenery.

Address: Beside Huangyang Avenue, Doumen Town, Doumen District

Transportation: Bus routes 609 and 402

Information source: Doumen Town Government website

Ba Jia Village: Located at the southern end of Doumen Town, Ba Jia Village is traversed by Huangyang Avenue, offering convenient transportation as it lies on the route to downtown Zhuhai, the airport, ports, and more. It is close to the Longshan Industrial Park and holds significant locational advantages. The village covers an area of approximately 11.5 square kilometers, including 5,000 mu of forested hills and 2,625 mu of arable land. This includes 650 mu of fish ponds, 350 mu of rice paddies, 200 mu of flowers, and 1,275 mu of cash crops. The village currently has 881 households with a permanent population of 3,668.

Ba Jia Village consists of 12 natural villages, 14 villager groups, and 56 villager representatives. There are 87 Party... More detailed information on Ba Jia Village++