The Ancient Architectural Complex of Tiankeng Village

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Tiankeng Village

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Tiankeng Village is a cultural relic protection unit of Guangdong Province.

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Tiankeng Village (commonly known as "Tiankeng Ancient City") is located in Duozhu Town, Huidong County, Guangdong Province. Initially built in the late Ming Dynasty and completed during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, it has a history of over 300 years. It is one of the larger and well-preserved ancient Hakka villages in Huidong, featuring traditional courtyard-style residences. In 2008, the complex was listed as a cultural relic protection unit of Guangdong Province.

Tiankeng Ancient City includes more than 20 buildings and numerous houses. The layout is symmetrical, ingeniously designed, uniquely styled, and both aesthetically pleasing and solemn, embodying a rich local folk culture. The village features 18 rustic alleys, enclosed roundhouse complexes, watchtowers, towering city walls, and nearly 400 rooms and halls, all of which hold significant cultural preservation value.

According to records, Tiankeng Ancient City was initially built in the late Ming Dynasty and completed during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, boasting a history of over 300 years. In 1686 (the 25th year of the Kangxi reign), Chen Xifeng, the eighth-generation descendant of the Chen family’s founding ancestor who migrated to Huidong, first purchased part of the land and began constructing houses. In 1736 (early Qianlong reign), Chen Zhai, the eighth-generation descendant, acquired most of the land in Tiankeng while managing "prosperity worth millions and the repair of the Yellow River," then initiated large-scale construction of the city. In 1773 (the 38th year of the Qianlong reign), Chen Zanyan and Chen Zanzhi, tenth-generation descendants, oversaw the construction of the Dafu Ancestral Hall and completed the surrounding walls. In 2003, the Huidong County cultural relics department discovered the ancient city during a survey, and in March 2004, the Dafu Ancestral Hall within the city was designated as a cultural relic protection unit of Huidong County.

On November 8, 2008, the General Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province issued the “Notice on Announcing the Fifth Batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units,” listing the Ancient Architectural Complex of Tiankeng Village in Duozhu Town, Huidong County, as a provincial cultural relic protection unit.

Changkeng Village: Changkeng Village...... Detailed information on Changkeng Village++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units