The Old House of Yingchuan

The Old House of Yingchuan

The Old House of Yingchuan is located in Xingjing Village, Linzhai Town, Heping County, Heyuan City, Guangdong Province. It was built in the 18th year of the Republic of China (1929) by Chen Lüzhong (courtesy name Zhengqing, who served as a member of the Heping County Council in the 2nd year of the Republic of China, a member of the Guangdong Provincial Council in the 7th year, and the magistrate of Heping County in the 9th year). The central part features four raised regular script characters “颖川旧家” (The Old House of Yingchuan), inscribed with the signature of Tan Zekai in the year of Gengwu (1930).

The overall structure is square-shaped, with three stories, a roof-tile-on-purlin construction, and a two-courtyard, two-wing layout arranged symmetrically along the central axis. The main axis features, in sequence, the main gate, entrance hall, middle hall, and upper hall. The wing rooms are three-story horse-head style buildings, with a 25-meter-long and 3-meter-wide courtyard in front for ventilation and lighting. The stone and wood components inside are richly adorned with intricate carvings, including patterns of plants and flowers, pine and deer, qilin, pheasants, vases with flowers, and figurative stories. These carvings are elaborate, exquisitely crafted, lifelike, and their gilded surfaces still shine brilliantly to this day.

The stone pillars in the middle hall are inscribed with a couplet written by the famous calligrapher Wu Daorong: “Auspicious signs of phoenixes foretell the enduring glory inherited from ancestors, casting new light on this virtuous neighborhood; Auspicious omens of bears signify the outstanding virtues of future generations, jointly singing praises of harmony and the grand scale of an honorable house.” The partition doors and screen panels in the hall are inscribed with various mottos such as “Serve the country with loyalty,” “Practice diligence and thrift in managing the household,” “Pass on family values through filial piety and friendship,” and “Always keep long-term aspirations in mind.”

As it was built slightly later, the Old House of Yingchuan differs from the traditional “Four-Point Gold” enclosed houses, with reduced emphasis on defensive features and greater focus on aesthetic and practical design. There is a row of three outer doors, and the wing rooms can be accessed directly from side doors without having to go around to the main gate. The well is also built in the open space outside the gate, reducing indoor humidity. The courtyards are relatively large, increasing ventilation and lighting. The wing rooms are designed in a modern horse-head style, making them more convenient for living and use.

Xingjing Village: The ancient village of Xingjing Village belongs to Linzhai Town, Heping County, Heyuan City, Guangdong Province. It is a typical Hakka landlord residence, with the “Qianguang Lou” (Modest Light Building), “The Old House of Yingchuan,” and “Zhongxian Di” (Middle-Xian Mansion) being the most representative.

In September 2006, it was designated as a cultural relics protection unit by Heyuan City; on September 23, 2008, it was listed as one of the first 27 ancient villages in Guangdong Province by the Guangdong Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Folk Artists Association, and in January 2009, it was officially awarded the title of “Ancient Village of Guangdong Province.”

The ancient village of Xingjing Village has been inhabited since the 9th year of the Zhizheng era of the Yuan Dynasty (1349). It is backed by small hills and… More details about Xingjing Village++