Ancient Residential Complex of Qiaoxi Village

Ancient Residential Complex of Qiaoxi Village

The Ancient Residential Complex of Qiaoxi Village is a cultural relics protection unit of Guangdong Province.

The Ancient Residential Complex of Qiaoxi Village (including Shide Hall, Zhu Clan Ancestral Hall, Shouqing Ancestral Hall, Shide Building, Yanyi Building, Shen’an Residence, Lingyun Hall, Baoshan Building, Qiaoxi Primary School (formerly known as "Baoyuan"), Baoshan Family School, Yuqing Building, Baoqing Residence, Jishan Building, Yilou, Shi’an Residence, Zude Residence), is situated at the western foot of the Wuzhi Peak of Yinna Mountain in the Yangshan Scenic Area and Yinna Mountain Nature Reserve, a famous scenic and natural reserve area in Guangdong Province, under the jurisdiction of Yanyang Town, Meixian District. The village was established during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty (1573–1619). For centuries, villagers from only the Zhu and Chen families built a picturesque mountain-water village with strong Hakka characteristics through hard work, covering an area of about 1 square kilometer. The village features swaying ancient trees, stone-paved paths, small bridges over flowing streams, and traditional Hakka residences of various styles nestled against hillsides and beside streams in harmonious arrangement. From the Ming and Qing Dynasties to the early Republican period, the village developed distinctive traditional Hakka homes and private schools, the main ones being Shide Hall (including Shanting Building), Zhu Clan Ancestral Hall (also called Guanyin Hall), Shouqing Ancestral Hall, Shide Building, Shen’an Residence, Yanyi Building, Baoshan Building, the ruins of Lingyun Hall, Baoshan Family School, Qiaoxi Primary School (formerly Baoyuan), Baoqing Residence, Yanting Building and Longqing You Building, Shi’an Residence, Zude Residence, Jishan Building, Yilou — totaling 16 sites, which were announced in 2002 as part of the fourth batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units.

The “Ancient Residential Complex of Qiaoxi Village” fully reflects the scientific approach of the Hakka people in selecting residential sites and constructing human settlements, as well as the distinctive characteristics of Hakka architecture among China’s five major types of traditional dwellings. Moreover, the presence of four private schools (gardens or halls) in this small mountain village highlights the villagers’ deep respect for literature and education.

During the Chinese Liberation War, the Meipu-Feng Guerrilla Unit of the Chinese Communist Party, the Independent Regiment of the Min-Yue-Gan Border Column of the CCP, the headquarters of the Eastern Guangdong Committee of the CCP, and the Meipu-Yansong Working Group of the CCP were stationed here.

Qiaoxi Village, according to generations of feng shui tradition, features four major geomantic patterns: “A crow landing in the fields outshines Luoyang,” “Immortal shrimp playing in the water gazing at the Yangtze,” “A snail spitting out flesh to guard the water’s mouth,” and “A lady under an umbrella in the center.” It is not only an ancient Hakka village but also a village of overseas Chinese and a revolutionary base, possessing historical, artistic, and scientific preservation value, as well as research significance for the history of Hakka migration, Hakka folk customs, the history of overseas Chinese, and revolutionary history.

On July 17, 2002, it was listed as part of the fourth batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Qiaoxi Village: Qiao xi village... Qiaoxi Village detailed information++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units