Lianfang Building

Lianfang Building

Lianfang Building is a cultural relic protection unit of Guangdong Province.

Lianfang Building is located in Fuliangmei Village, Baiwu, Meixian District. It is a hybrid residence that blends Chinese and Western architectural styles, built at a cost of 240,000 silver dollars by five brothers — Qiu Xinxing and his siblings — who were Chinese Indonesians returning to China during the late Qing and early Republican period. They referenced photographs of foreign-style buildings and incorporated features of Hakka enclosed villages. The name "Lianfang" refers to the fact that it was jointly built and lived in by the brothers.

The enclosed complex is nearly 100 meters long and 40–50 meters wide, covering an area of approximately 3,000 square meters. Inside, the courtyard layout is distinct, featuring “ten halls, nine wells, three main rooms, and four corridors,” with over 110 rooms. The entire structure is surrounded by buildings that form a large “walled village” compound. The front of the building features three prominent clock tower-style gateways. Their upper, lower, left, right, and all window tops are decorated with bas-reliefs of animals and floral designs. Atop the clock towers are sculptures such as lions playing with balls, dragons competing for treasure, eagles spreading their wings, and angels at the gate. Beneath the balcony of the main gate, there is also an exquisitely carved group sculpture of Guo Ziyi celebrating his birthday. The grandeur of the entire structure is luxurious and splendid. The walled compound includes over 100 housing units, and the design of the halls, main rooms, corridors, and courtyards is highly ingenious.

The exterior walls of the building feature some Chinese-Western fusion bas-reliefs, including images of tigers, leopards, deer, and chickens. Currently, the building is still inhabited, but visitors can enter with permission. The interior design reflects the style of a Hakka enclosed village, with many courtyards. Each courtyard is surrounded by side rooms, and the upper floor contains dozens of rooms furnished in a Western style, though made from traditional Chinese wooden materials. These houses look somewhat like castles and yet not quite, somewhat like farmsteads and yet not exactly. On the white walls of Lianfang Building, traces of murals from the early Liberation period can be found, serving as a part of its historical legacy. Extending from the center of the building is a tower-like structure resembling a church steeple, which is actually a terrace offering a bird’s-eye view of the entire Baiwu Town — a testament to the thoughtful design of its creators.

As for who currently owns the building, no one seems to know. Some say it belongs to the government, while others claim it is owned by more than ten proprietors, most of whom have moved to Indonesia. As a visitor, there's no need to worry about the ownership — the beauty of the building is enough to delight the eye.

On July 17, 2002, it was included in the fourth batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units