Ancient Architectural Complex of Dalu Village

Ancient Architectural Complex of Dalu Village

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Dalu Village is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Dalu Village is known as the "village of lychees in China's lychee homeland" and the "fruit village in the land of fruits." Inside and outside the village, from the hillsides and fields to the courtyards of farmhouses, fruit trees abound year-round, filling the air with floral and fruity fragrances. Even first-time visitors wandering into the village would never imagine it to be a large settlement with a population of over 4,200. According to legend, the area was once overgrown with reeds and barren land, with human habitation beginning only in the mid-15th century. Through the hard work of early settlers, the village experienced several rises and declines, and by the early 17th century, it had developed into a prosperous land where fifteen different surnames lived in harmony. To remind future generations of the hardships of their ancestors' pioneering efforts, the village was named Dalu (meaning "Big Reed"). This also explains why the local residences were all built along the mountainous terrain, with winding paths and clusters of homes where neighbors could hear each other’s dogs and chickens — each settlement bearing a thought-provoking name such as Camphor Wood House, Fir Wood Garden, Thorn Bamboo Garden, Sand Pear Garden, Lychee Garden, Tea Garden, Chen Zhuo Garden, Banyan Pond, Water Well Pond, and Ox Path Pond, among others.

Following the cement village road built by villagers in the early 1990s to facilitate merchants transporting fruits, you gradually venture deeper into the lychee orchards. Before a man-made lake spanning over 2,000 square meters with shimmering blue waters, the road splits into two. Across the lake, rows of green-tiled houses with layered, undulating ridgelines come into view — this is one of the famed ancient residences of the Lao family, whose mystique has been unveiled by various media since 1998. In front of the houses and by the water’s edge, centuries-old lychee, camphor, and orange trees, with their gnarled branches and lush foliage, resemble massive potted landscapes. On the evening of the lychee harvest season in 1804, a poet from Hengzhou named Wu Biqi visited a friend here and was moved by the scenery, composing: “A home encircles a green stream, towering peaks rise nearby; pine woods and cranes are veiled in evening mist. A small building hides beyond the slanting sun, half an acre of pond reflects red lychees.” The scenery remains much the same today. Villagers stroll leisurely along the shaded lake embankment, like figures in a painting — truly an enviable sight.

The most worthwhile attraction here is the ancient residential complex rich in historical and cultural heritage. The Lao family’s ancient residences in Dalu Village consist of nine complexes, built during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Nestled against mountains and near water, these serene and secluded homes house precious cultural relics, including calligraphy by Wen Tianxiang, bearing witness to a glorious history. Most valuable of all are the over 300 pairs of antique couplets created during the Ming and Qing periods, which hold significant cultural and aesthetic research value. A series of man-made lakes separate Ming and Qing architectural complexes such as the Huo’er Building, Sanda Hall, Dongyuan Villa, Shuangqing Hall, Panlong Hall, Dongming Hall, Chenzhuo Garden, Fuchun Garden, and the La Ke Ancestral Hall. The landscape, with its chicken-cock and dog-bark proximity, lakeside ancient trees like camphor, laurel, and lychee symbolizing “literary prominence and official glory,” resembles giant potted plants. Meandering paths lead through tranquil surroundings. The vast complex features well-preserved structures, comprehensive functions, high-level planning, excellent ecological conditions, and a rich folk culture. It preserves numerous artifacts and unique local customs, while hosting folk musicians and dancers. It has been honored as the “No.1 Couplet Village in Guangxi,” attracting scholars, experts, and tourists from across China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Israel, Singapore, Vietnam, and Japan. Visits have also been made by regional Party and government leaders including Cao Bogchun, Li Zhaochuo, Ding Tingmo, Lu Bing, Yuan Fenglan, and Yuan Zhengzhong.

The nine complexes of the Lao family’s ancient residences in Dalu Village were gradually completed between 1546 and 1826, from the 25th year of the Jiajing reign in the Ming Dynasty to the 6th year of the Daoguang reign in the Qing Dynasty. From the construction of the first residence, the Lao ancestors intentionally created a living environment in harmony with nature. “The arts were prioritized,” and “vigorous integration reached the clouds” — the excellent ecological setting and talented individuals complemented each other. By the late 19th century, although the Lao family had a population of fewer than 800, they owned thousands of hectares of fertile land and produced 102 scholars who passed civil and military examinations at the county, prefectural, and imperial levels, with 47 taking up official positions and 78 receiving imperial honors across the Ming and Qing dynasties. Wealth spurred progress, and the abundance of scholars and officials allowed the family’s legacy to continually expand. The residences were built using local clay to make bricks and tiles, shaped by the land and complemented by ponds. Whenever a new family member was born, it was customary to plant high-quality lychee trees, resulting in the current layout of six man-made lakes surrounded by blue waters, clear skies, green trees, and ancient houses — covering over 30,000 square meters with Lingnan architectural style and the charm of a lychee village.

Time leaves its marks, and each residence bears distinct characteristics and imprints of its era. The ancestral Huo’er Building has the most complete structure and function, strictly adhering to feudal clan regulations, exuding a strong sense of patriarchal hierarchy. It dictated clearly which rooms family members of certain status could occupy, which entrances to use, and which routes to take. The Dongyuan Villa, built during the flourishing Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, is grand in scale and lavishly decorated, yet designed like a maze — those unfamiliar with it would struggle to find their way out. The Shuangqing Hall, built in 1826, is spacious and practical, emphasizing comfort in living...

The profound cultural legacy of the ancient residence complex leaves more than just memories of past glories. Among the treasured relics, one of the most revered is a massive rubbing of the four-character calligraphy “Loyalty, Filial Piety, Integrity, and Chastity” by Wen Tianxiang, the national hero of the Southern Song Dynasty. Each character spans 1.30 to 1.80 meters and was once displayed during major festivals for clan members to admire and receive moral education. The Sanda Hall still displays a golden plaque inscribed with “Picked First Place,” awarded in 1837 by then-Governor-General Deng Tingzhen of Liangguang (famous for banning opium) to Lao Nianzong for ranking first in the Imperial College entrance exams. Its significance goes beyond home decoration — it reveals the secret to the family’s enduring prosperity through education. In the “official halls” (reception rooms) of the residences, copies of the “Family Instructions of Master Zhu” are preserved year-round behind intact lattice doors, along with various unused sedan chairs, stone mills, and pestles — all reflecting the family’s emphasis on farming and scholarship. The villagers also maintain many unique local customs. Since 1659, when the fourth-generation ancestor Lao Xian, who retired from his post in the Ministry of War in Beijing, survived a life-threatening storm on Dongting Lake, the clan has eaten eggplant and melon porridge on the 14th day of the seventh lunar month “to remember ancestral virtue” — a tradition that continues unbroken. On the 18th day of the eighth lunar month, during the “August Temple” festival, under the ancient canopy of tung trees behind the ancestral Huo’er Building, the hereditary “teachers’ troupe” performs the traditional folk dance “Jumping on the Ridge” under moonlight, accompanied by drumbeats, gathering relatives and neighbors for joyful celebration.

However, the most eye-catching aspect of the ancient residences’ folk culture is the inherited couplets. Research shows there are over 300 pairs of Ming and Qing-era couplets still in use, rewritten in fresh ink and red paper by villagers during festivals or celebrations and posted in traditional spots without change for centuries. To outsiders, it may seem like a quaint and refreshing display of folk culture, but to the villagers, it represents the legacy of their ancestors and an emotional anchor.

Couplets are a unique form of Chinese literature with a history of over a thousand years. But it wasn’t until the Ming Dynasty, through official promotion, that they moved beyond scholarly circles into ordinary households, reflecting real-life themes. Their format evolved from “New Year charms” to “paired phrases,” expanding from simple Spring Festival couplets to eighteen styles including celebratory, commemorative, and aphoristic verses.

By coincidence, the residents of Dalu’s ancient homes used this concise form of couplet culture to express their understanding, ideals, and blessings about life. As history progressed and production and daily activities expanded, nearly all forms and styles of Chinese couplets can be found here — rich in content and highly educational for future generations.

For example, two couplets from the Ming Dynasty’s Jiajing era: “Cherish clothes and food, not just wealth but blessings too; seek fame and profit, but know self-reliance beats dependence.” “Reading is good, farming is good, knowing what’s good is best; starting a venture is hard, maintaining it is hard, but knowing the hardship makes it not hard.” These reflect how the villagers had moved beyond reliance on ancestry and the bias toward scholarly careers over farming, embracing a mindset of preparedness and self-motivation. Couplets from the Yongzheng era like “Fulfill your duty to build the nation, devote your loyalty to the country,” from the Qianlong era like “Follow the classics and rules, practice the teachings,” and from the Daoguang era like “Let writing serve the nation, let filial piety and brotherhood pass through the family” — though marked by feudal and clan ideologies — were composed with seriousness and refinement, conveying timeless philosophies and moral values.

A couplet gifted by Ma Minchang, a renowned Zhuang scholar and Hanlin academician of the Qianlong era: “A family that does good will have abundant blessings; those who are wealthy and can teach will enjoy long life.” This interprets the enduring enrichment of the villagers’ thinking and legacy. These couplets teach people to cultivate their minds, discipline themselves, prioritize virtue and talent, pursue learning and ambition for personal and national benefit.

The villagers use couplets to “adorn” their facades and halls — not just for self-appreciation or family benefit, but also to connect emotionally, exchange ideas, and foster shared values. Over centuries, these couplets have subtly influenced and inspired neighbors, serving as tools for self-motivation and education. Today, they still play a social role in encouraging, uniting, and educating people, promoting village aesthetics and economic progress. Recognized for their universal educational and practical value, Dalu Village was honored in June 1999 as the “No.1 Couplet Village in Guangxi.”

The Jumping on the Ridge Festival is held around the ten days before and after the Mid-Autumn Festival — a traditional folk celebration of the Zhuang and Han peoples in Qinzhou, usually occurring within ten days of the Mid-Autumn Festival, though in some areas it’s held in March or October. Named for its hillside location, the festival features ancestor worship, shigong opera performances, martial arts shows, and more, making it the second most important local event after the Lunar New Year. The International Dolphin Tourism Festival is held annually during National Day in October.

The Dalu Village Folk Culture Tourism Area is internationally renowned for its “ancient houses, ancient trees, and ancient couplets.” The architectural complex covers 220,000 square meters, with a protected area of 450,000 square meters. The ancient residences are vast in scale, fully functional, well-planned, ecologically sound, and rich in folk culture. Winding paths inside the residences invite quiet contemplation and immersion in ancient culture, far removed from urban noise.

In June 1999, Dalu Village was awarded the title of “No.1 Couplet Village in Guangxi.” The residences preserve over 300 couplets from the Ming and Qing periods still in use today — a vivid and rustic display of folk culture that reflects the villagers’ enduring emphasis on farming and scholarship.

“A home encircles a green stream, towering peaks rise nearby; pine woods and cranes are veiled in evening mist. A small building hides beyond the slanting sun, half an acre of pond reflects red lychees.”

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units