Xue Tang Mountain Village

Xue Tang Mountain Village

Xue Tang Mountain Village, originally named Feng Ming Mountain Village, is located in Ban Deng Township, Tongjiang County, and belongs to the Third Jia of Chang Ning Li, Tongjiang County, Bao Ning Prefecture, Sichuan North Road. During the Qing Dynasty, it was under the jurisdiction of the Third Jia of Chang San of Tongjiang County, Bao Ning Prefecture, Sichuan North Road. After the reforms, due to the construction of a new village primary school, locals still referred to it as "Xue Tang" (School Courtyard) in the old way, which eventually became the official name of the village — Xue Tang Mountain Village. “Phoenix Cries at Sunrise,” “Ancient Cypresses at Twin Temples,” “Dragon Cave Spring Sounds,” “Stone Gourds on Wild Goose Mountain,” “Spring Floods in Three Streams,” “Pine Winds Among Cypress and Plum Trees,” “Night Rain in Stone Coffer,” and “Evening Glow over Kunlun” are the Eight Scenic Spots of Xue Tang Mountain Village.

Legend has it that an immortal, carrying an oil basket on a shoulder pole, passed by Feng Ming Mountain. Captivated by its beauty, he set down the basket and lingered. Unknowingly, he fell asleep, and only woke when he heard the crowing of a rooster from the valley at midnight, realizing he had delayed his return to heaven. In a rush to leave, he departed without retrieving the oil basket. By morning, the basket had turned to stone and still stands on Xue Tang Mountain today. Locals call it the Oil Basket Stone.

To the north of Xue Tang Mountain lies Niu Mian Mountain, named for a rock formation resembling a reclining ox. The village was established in the early Ming Dynasty, situated in Upper and Lower Cai Jia Gully. Viewed from a ridge in San Pin Zhai Village across the valley, one can look down upon Cai Jia Gully, where terraced fields wind their way down the gullies into the deep valley, dark and bottomless, making the whole village seem like a hidden paradise. The settlements at the foot of the mountain — Zhai Zi Ba, Cai Jia Gully, and the grand Cai Jia Courtyard — are remarkably large and rare for the northeast Sichuan region.

Xue Tang Mountain Village is rich in historical and cultural relics, with ancient bridges, stelae, tombs, fortresses, wells, and traditional buildings scattered throughout. Particularly notable are its diverse types of ancient architecture. Over 60 surviving post-and-lintel wooden courtyard houses mostly face south, scattered gracefully amidst lush greenery. The residential carvings are exquisitely detailed with profound symbolism. Decorative patterns such as “Entwined Peony,” “Phoenix Through Peony,” “Qilin Bestowing Auspiciousness,” and “Fish Transforming into Dragon” are commonly seen, along with vivid paintings.

The “Three Virtues United” Stone Bridge was first built in the 20th year of the Jia Qing reign (1815) during the Qing Dynasty and reconstructed in the 31st year of the Guang Xu reign (1905). It served as a vital transportation link between Shaxi and Chengcheng. The bridge’s name derives from the three streams above and below, each with a bridge. Only the lower He Deng Zi Bridge remains today, while the other two were destroyed by floods. A complete commemorative stele still stands.

San Pin Ancient Fortress is located at the boundary between Xue Tang Mountain Village and San Pin Zhai Village, built atop San Pin Liang. This ridge features perilous terrain, undulating peaks, sheer cliffs, and three summits arranged in a “品” (pin) character formation, hence the name. In 1800 (the 5th year of the Jia Qing reign), it was constructed under the leadership and funding of Cai Zhen, Cai Hong, Cai Xue Hai, and Cai Guo Hai to defend against the White Lotus Rebellion. Later renamed “San Pin Zhai,” it served as an important military stronghold. The fortress consists of three peaks — Head Fort, Middle Fort, and Bo Fort. The central peak and the eastern stone gate have collapsed over time, but the western stone gate of the Head Fort remains intact. This gate has both inner and outer layers, with a stone arch structure and a pair of carved couplets reading: “Four-sided weapons return to the smelter, the lofty Three Pins guard the thousand-li city,” and a horizontal inscription: “Defend the Land, Uphold Righteousness,” along with the date “5th Year of Jia Qing, Geng Shen.”

Siheyuan Courtyards Once Housed Hospitals Where Red Army Soldiers Recovered

During the Red Army period, the Fourth Front Army established a general hospital in the Sichuan-Shaanxi Soviet Area. Amid the turbulent and challenging wartime environment, with frequent battles and shortages of medicine, tens of thousands of wounded Red Army soldiers sadly perished. The General Hospital relocated multiple times before moving to Shaxi Wang Ping in January 1934, establishing seven branch hospitals across Tongnanba. Medical personnel, equipment, and supplies were centrally coordinated, managed, and led. Among these, the Cai Family Courtyard in Xue Tang Mountain Village was chosen as the site of the First Branch Hospital.

The First Branch Hospital occupied three courtyards: the Old Courtyard served as the ward area, the Back Courtyard (next to the Old Courtyard) housed the branch office, pharmacy, and medical staff quarters, and the Lower Courtyard accommodated a Red Army platoon and the local self-defense team. Behind the Old Courtyard, Qugou Ridge and the adjacent Qugou Garden were used as training grounds for convalescing soldiers.

Cai Family Grand Courtyard: “Horse-Turning Style” Resembling “May Flowers Facing Heaven”

Traditional architecture is abundant in Xue Tang Mountain Village. The well-preserved Cai Family Grand Courtyard, built during the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty, exemplifies the distinctive “sky-floor and ground-pillow” architectural style of northeastern Sichuan. The “sky-floor” design — common in mountainous dwellings — compensates for uneven terrain with raised foundations and hanging floors. The lower level houses pens for livestock, while the upper floor features “waist railings” (hanging balcony fences) that create striking visual effects. Today, over ten such courtyards remain well preserved, four of which are especially representative.

Ling Shan Courtyard was the private residence of Cai Shi Yu, a prominent member of the Cai family, built in 1791 (the 56th year of Qian Long reign). It is a post-and-lintel wooden structure facing south — considered in feng shui as the ideal “Beauty Displaying Her Modesty” layout. Comprising front and rear halls, left and right wing rooms, it forms a typical quadrangle known as “One Seal.” The wing rooms enclose four small courtyards, creating four inner skywells connected via passages beside the main hall. From above, the four minor skywells orbit a larger central one, resembling flower petals — earning the nicknames “May Flowers Facing Heaven” or “Horse-Turning Style.” Multi-layered column bases, exquisite “Qilin Bestowing Auspiciousness” window carvings, and vivid ink-painted murals enhance its cultural richness. The central corridor, with its dignified design, features a shrine inscribed with the plaque “Jiu Si Tang” (Hall of Nine Reflections).

Legend says that when building the Ling Shan Courtyard, the owner hired two craftsmen — Zhou and Li — each assigned to build half, to test their skills. On the eve of erecting the main beam, Zhou secretly had his apprentice shorten Li’s central beam by five inches. Discovering this, Li worked overnight to fashion a replacement. The next day, as the beams were being lifted, Zhou and his apprentice awaited to mock Li. But Li’s apprentice cleverly announced, “Master, the beam is short!” then used a handkerchief tossed by Li to cleverly lengthen and secure the beam. Later, Zhou asked Li how he fixed it. Li replied, “Proceed with care, and it will naturally stretch.”

Cai Family Lower Courtyard faces south, laid out in a classic quadrangle. At the center of the front hall is a stone step leading to the “Long Men” (Dragon Gate), a local term for a gated entrance that symbolically “seals” the courtyard.

The courtyard is renowned for its decorative artistry. At the base of the front hall’s foundation, a semicircular eaves stone contrasts with square foundation stones, embodying the traditional philosophy of harmony between heaven and man. The five-field gate of the main hall preserves colorful painted door gods, while the lower field depicts celestial beings. Eight symmetrically placed wooden pillars along the corridor feature unique bases and carvings — including cloud-dragon motifs, ruyi patterns, and folk designs like “Eight Children Around Lotus” and “Three Fish for Harmony.” These elements, rich yet refined, exude prosperity and are exceptionally rare and treasured.

Cai Family Rear Courtyard follows a quadrangle layout. Its most striking feature is a massive boulder lodged at the corner where the left wing meets the front hall. Rather than removing it, the owners ingeniously integrated it into the post-and-lintel framework, stabilizing the structure and evoking a sense of enduring strength.

Legend says the master builder, while overseeing construction, was served chicken daily but never given the head or feet — angering him. On the day of raising the main beam, the ceremonial tray included perfectly prepared chicken heads and feet. Realizing his misunderstanding, the builder climbed back atop the beam and proclaimed “Dao Fa Yi Qian Nian” (“The Way Endures a Thousand Years”) — both acknowledging his error and blessing the household.

Yang Family Courtyard: Yin-Yang & Five Elements Conceal Mysteries

The Yang Family Courtyard is also a sealed quadrangle with symmetrical wings forming a grand central skywell. The main corridor is paved with 21 flagstones, symbolizing the traditional Yin-Yang Five Elements cycle of Birth, Aging, Sickness, Death, and Suffering — resolving ultimately in “Birth.” The main hall features three doors with well-preserved carvings. A broad stone stairway extends under the eaves, creating a spacious communal area. The ancestral shrine and dragon-phoenix carvings remain vibrant. The stone steps feature exquisite Ming-style carvings.

Originally not owned by the Yang family, the Yang Family Courtyard was purchased by Yang Ji Zeng (courtesy name Zi Yu) from a Cai family landlord. Yang, who repeatedly failed imperial exams in Baoning Prefecture (now Langzhong), later founded a private school here. Supportive of the Red Army in 1933, he was wrongfully executed in 1935 during purges. His remains were recovered in 1936, and his son-in-law Cai Yong Xiao gifted the “Bing Qing Yi Shi” (Pure as Ice, Transcending the World) plaque still hanging in the main hall.

The people of Xue Tang Mountain Village are hardworking and simple. The village’s long history has endowed it with rich material culture — intricate stone and wood carvings, meaningful symbolism, and vibrant folk paintings. These traditional crafts, passed down through generations, hold profound significance for the village’s development.

Xue Tang Mountain Village boasts a wealth of intangible cultural heritage, mainly in folk music. Labor songs include “Hao Yang Ge” (Reed-Transplanting Song), “Hao’er Ge” (Call Song), and “Bei Er Ge” (Back-Carrier Song). Romantic mountain tunes feature “Liu Ying Ji” (Chronicle of Liu Ying), “Xiao Shi Er Shi” (Little Twelve Beats), “Mao Shan Ge” (Mao Mountain Song), and “Shi Li Ping” (Ten Li Flat). Villagers still hum these tunes during work or leisure.

Traditional festivals in Xue Tang Mountain Village include Qingming, Ghost Month Mid-Month, New Year’s Eve, and Spring Festival. A uniquely local event is the Ox King Festival on the 16th day of the ninth lunar month. On this day, villagers bring offerings to the Ox King Temple to pray for favorable weather, family peace, and livestock prosperity — a deeply sincere tradition.