The Li Family Courtyard in Xiazhuang (Former Residence of Li Sixiao)

The Li Family Courtyard in Xiazhuang (Former Residence of Li Sixiao)

The Li Family Courtyard, also known as the former residence of Li Sixiao, consists of two main sections: the eastern and western courtyards. The eastern courtyard has ten compounds, noted for its magnificent size and unique structure. The largest is a three-courtyard complex with a central hall, and the smallest covers just a few dozen square meters as auxiliary or minor wings. The surviving gate plaque was erected after the expansion by Li Fan, a late Ming dynasty scholar-official and former magistrate of Chaoyi County in Shaanxi. The second courtyard's gate bears the inscription "Imperially Granted Retirement to Farming." It includes four large courtyards and six smaller ones, all traditional quadrangle dwellings. The western courtyard consists of three quadrangle compounds. In May 2012, during the third national cultural relics survey in Jincheng City, it was designated as a “Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.”

Xiazhuang Village: Located northeast of Runcheng, Xiazhuang Village has long been celebrated for its rich literary tradition and talented residents, often referred to as the “Hometown of Literature and Calligraphy.” During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it produced ten imperial examination graduates (jinshi), two second-place candidates (ya kui), and several successful provincial examination candidates (ju ren). Notable figures include Li Sixiao, who solely funded the construction of the Haihui Pagoda; Li Zhi and Li Kejiu, who pioneered the precedent of father and son both becoming jinshi in Yangcheng; renowned scholars Yang Nianxian and Yang Lanjie from the Republican era; Li Erjian and Liu Xiaohuan, who displayed great patriotism during the War of Resistance against Japan; and Zhang Zesheng and Li Yizhou, founders of the “Zhongzhuang Yangge” folk dance. Among the hundred most influential historical figures in Yangcheng County, twelve hail from Xiazhuang alone. Ancient... More detailed information about Xiazhuang Village++