Qionglai Li Family Courtyard

Qionglai Li Family Courtyard

The Li Family Courtyard in Pingle Town, Qionglai, Sichuan — the paper merchant Li Hongkai

The Li Family Courtyard is tucked away deep in the Huqiu Mountains of Qionglai, Sichuan. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the courtyard has been so well preserved. After more than a hundred years, the Li Family Courtyard remains home to the descendants of the Li family.

The courtyard is spacious, enclosed by buildings on all sides, with red sandstone slabs paving the ground. The entire compound exudes a simple and elegant charm that perfectly matches the atmosphere of Huqiu Mountain. The Li Family Courtyard covers a construction area of over 4,000 square meters, while the whole site spans more than 13,000 square meters, with a total of 149 rooms. It is the largest well-preserved Qing Dynasty-era residential complex in western Sichuan.

The side courtyard is slightly smaller than the main courtyard, but follows a largely similar layout.

Several ginkgo and pomegranate trees thrive vibrantly, serving as the best decorations in the courtyard.

At the center of the room is the Li family’s ancestral shrine, which has been enshrined here since the courtyard was built. It features carvings of two dragons competing for a pearl and a golden phoenix paying homage, symbolizing the prosperity of dragons and phoenixes in this place. Beneath the pillars of the memorial archway are a male and female lion, signifying peace and good fortune for the residence. In the middle is the memorial tablet of the Li family’s founding ancestor. Above the shrine hangs the imperial golden plaque inscribed with “Imperial Grace Bestowed,” bestowed by Emperor Guangxu himself. At that time, the Li family thrived in the businesses of tea production and papermaking. After achieving prosperity, the Li family was known for their philanthropy, donating funds to build the Hongfu Bridge in Youzha Town, the Leshan Bridge in Pingle Town, and the First Bridge of Southern Sichuan. As a result, they were granted the official rank of Sixth Rank by Emperor Guangxu and bestowed with the golden plaque.

Location

4 kilometers west of Pingle Ancient Town, Qionglai City