Liantang Ancient Village

Liantang Ancient Village

Liantang Village in Zhangcha Subdistrict, Chancheng District, Foshan City, is located 5 kilometers southwest of the central Chancheng area. It borders Haidao Village to the east, faces Dongping River to the south, adjoins Dafu Village to the west and north, and is one kilometer away from Wangjiegang. Covering an area of 1.6 square kilometers, it is a natural village primarily inhabited by the Chen clan. As of September 2014, the registered population was 3,464, of which 3,200 were surnamed Chen.

According to the handwritten *Genealogy of the Chen Clan of Liantang*, the ancestors of Liantang originated from Gushi County, Guangzhou Prefecture, Henan Province. In the second year of the Xianchun era during the Song Dynasty, they migrated from Zhujixiang in Nanxiong, Guangdong, and later intermarried into the Tan clan of Dafu, having two sons, the younger of whom was named Yilian. In the sixth year of the Yanyou era during the Yuan Dynasty (1319), Yilian moved from Dafu to Liantang. After achieving success in his endeavors, he married a woman surnamed Zhao and became the founding ancestor of the Chen clan in Liantang Village.

The village now houses historical structures such as the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (North Hall), Taishi Mansion, Hengzhai Chen Ancestral Hall, and the former residence of Chen Ruyue. The surrounding area is crisscrossed with waterways. The villagers are skilled as if they were "dragons on the water," and competitive dragon boating is a traditional aquatic activity. The village still preserves a "big dragon" (thirteen-person dragon boat) that is over 80 years old. Lion and dragon dancing are another local tradition. In the 1930s, thanks to a group of youths with solid martial arts training, the lion dance troupe of Liantang gained fame in the provincial capital—Guangzhou—and earned the reputation of “Mischievous Young Lions.”

The vast arable lands along the Dongping River feature sandy soil, producing "Datou Dian" bamboo shoots that are crisp and free of grit. The villagers are adept at incorporating bamboo shoots into their cuisine. The fish paste and bamboo shoot congee they prepare is especially famous far and wide.

The world-renowned Shiwan Chen Taiji Winery (the predecessor of Taiji Winery Co., Ltd.) was founded by Liantang native Chen Pingxian and has a history of over 170 years. The Yubing wine developed by Hanlin scholar Chen Ruyue (Chen Pingxian’s grandson) is sold across the country.

1. Details about Liantang Village

Address: Liantang Village, Zhangcha Subdistrict, Chancheng District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province

2. Self-driving route: Starting from Zumiao, you can take Jiangwan 1st Road, Jiangwan 2nd Road, Jihua 3rd Road, and Jihua 2nd Road to reach the south gate of Liantang Village.

3. Village-bound bus: Foshan Bus Route 124