Zhuliuyang Ancient Village

Zhuliuyang Ancient Village

Zhuliuyang Village, also known as Zhucuoyang Village, is located in the eastern part of Denggang Town, Jiedong District. To the east, it neighbors Zengcuoyang Village; to the south, it borders Shangliaovillage; to the west, it connects with Pengcuogou Village; and to the north, it lies along the Fengjiang River and adjacent to Baiwu Village. The nearby Wanli Bridge, once praised by officials as “Denggang (light) shining across ten thousand li,” is situated close to the village.

Built in 1279 AD, Zhuliuyang Village is an ancient settlement with over 700 years of history and is widely known as the “Land of Wealth.” The ancient architectural complex within the village is both independent and unified, featuring a unique layout and ingeniously designed defensive structures. The surviving buildings showcase architectural styles from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. In September 2012, it was designated as a Guangdong Provincial Ancient Village by the Guangdong Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Guangdong Folk Artists Association. The villagers are descendants of Zhu Xi, the Neo-Confucian scholar of the Song Dynasty, and the village is also the origin of more than 10 Zhu-surnamed villages in the Chaoshan region. The people here inherit their ancestors’ reverence for literature and education, with nearly every clan having its own private school.

“Sour vine, bitter melon’s bitter taste, our village is famed for drumbeats, light then heavy the drumstick’s pace; our village is famed for casting nets, catching a shrimp in its mesh; our village is famed for building stages, tilted yet no less blessed; our village is famed for the old stargazer, reading skies no less impressed.” This is a nursery rhyme that has been passed down in Zhuliuyang Village. It vividly reflects the reality that although the current population is less than a thousand, the village has produced many outstanding individuals excelling in various fields.

The ancient village retains a relatively intact form and structure. Today, there are still more than 10 buildings dating from the late Yuan Dynasty to the late Qing Dynasty, including the Dafu Mansion, Jinshi Mansion, Guangzu Private School, Qunying Hall Study, Zhu Clan Ancestral Hall, Tu Warehouse, Ancient Temple, Four-Point-Gold Residences, Pasashi, and Gaolou. Most of these ancient structures, despite weathering and past human damage, have undergone repeated restorations and remain largely well-preserved.

Since its founding, Zhuliuyang was recognized as a “Land of Wealth.” Its defensive structures were ingeniously designed, with the ancient architectural complex built according to the terrain—both self-contained and closely interconnected, allowing multiple buildings to link up. In the event of an enemy attack, the outer gates could be closed, turning the entire village into an isolated stronghold, making it difficult for invaders to penetrate.

Source: Chaoshan Families