Xiejia Courtyard

Xiejia Courtyard

Xiejia Courtyard

Xiejia Courtyard is located about 5 kilometers from Huangtunei. Here, the mountains are clear and the waters pristine, with dense forests and trees so thick they block out the sun. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was once a bustling hub for merchants, home to over 80 households, complete with pavilions, terraces, and even singing girls and dancers. The main residents here were originally from the Yuan and Xie families. Now, it’s hard to imagine that in such a secluded mountain valley, there was once a lively market. According to elders who relocated from Xiejia Courtyard to Baishuo, the rise and fall of Xiejia Courtyard is linked to a “Flying Horse Stone.” At the entrance of the village stood a stone carving that closely resembled a flying horse. This flying horse quietly brought prosperity and wealth to the village, eventually turning Xiejia Courtyard into a market hub spanning hundreds of miles. The paper-making tradition of Xiejia Courtyard has continued to this day (the paper-making families at Chicken Rock inherited the craft from Xiejia Courtyard). Later, merchants from nearby Shiqian County, envious of Xiejia Courtyard’s wealth, invited a Taoist master to investigate. He discovered the secret of the Flying Horse Stone. The stone, however, was quite mischievous, often transforming into a horse to sneak into Shiqian and eat wheat seedlings. It was eventually shot dead by the Taoist master while stealing the crops. Afterward, Xiejia Courtyard gradually declined. To this day, only a few wooden houses remain. The Flying Horse Stone still stands in the village, its horse head and flowing tail now covered with lush bamboo and trees. In addition to the Flying Horse Stone, there are other attractions such as the Natural Bridge.