Guxia Ancient Village

Guxia Ancient Village

Guxia Ancient Village is under the jurisdiction of Fuxi Town, Renhua County. Fuxi Town is located northeast of Renhua County in northern Guangdong, about 36 kilometers from the county seat. Guxia Village lies to the east of Fuxi Town, just one kilometer away. Behind Guxia Village are two winding, undulating peaks, locally known as Dacong Mountain and Xiaocong Mountain. These twin peaks stand side by side, resembling two dragons lying together. The foothills of the two mountains intertwine, forming what in geography is called a “dual-dragon knot site,” and Guxia Village is situated right within this auspicious formation. In front of the village, two rivers—the Big River and the Small River—flow from east to west before turning north and merging, a geographical feature known as “waistband water,” reminiscent of the sash on official robes during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Thus, Guxia Village is nestled against mountains and beside water, with houses built along the gentle slopes, most facing south.

The founding ancestor of the Li clan in Guxia, Li Mo (courtesy name Dayong), was from Moling, Jiangsu. He passed the imperial examination as a Jinshi in the Bingchen year during the Baoyou era of the Southern Song Dynasty, the same year as Wen Tianxiang of Jiangxi and Meng Yingmao of Chengkou, Renhua, and they shared a close friendship. At that time, Mo served as an official, first as the Prefect of Nanning, Guangxi, and later was promoted to Left Councillor of Guangdong. In 1276, the first year of the Jingyan era of the Southern Song, when Yuan troops attacked the Southern Song and advanced toward Guangzhou, Mo ordered his son Li Xiang (courtesy name Silang) to take refuge in Lingnan and settle in Guxia. Mo himself led troops to defend Wuyang City. In the second year of Jingyan, when the Yuan troops captured Guangzhou, Mo sacrificed his life. The Li clan of Guxia has a history of 738 years. Guxia Village is an ancient settlement in our county with profound historical and cultural heritage, relatively well-preserved ancient architecture, and distinctive, unique folk customs.

I. General Overview

Guxia Village is a natural village with 165 households and nearly 800 permanent residents. 90% of the residents share the surname Li and all belong to a single family, descendants of the famous Tang Dynasty general Li Sheng. It administers six village groups, with over 900 acres of arable land, nearly 10,000 acres of forested land, and a main village area covering more than 25,000 square meters. The total population of the Li surname (including those who have moved to nearby villages) is 2,869.

II. Historical Culture and Humanistic Resources

After the Li clan settled in Guxia, they upheld the legacy of “loyalty and uprightness,” thrived through hard work and scholarly pursuits, and produced many notable figures. This forged an extraordinary family history for the Guxia Li clan, laid a deep cultural foundation, and created astonishing humanistic landscapes.

Descendants of Li Mo’s lineage went into hiding during the Yuan Dynasty but emerged after the founding of the Ming Dynasty. They began participating in imperial examinations and demonstrated outstanding family traits, achieving successive academic honors and flourishing culturally. Many were selected for official positions at the level of county magistrate or higher: Li Fuqing (Magistrate of Yuyao County, Zhejiang), Li Fengrong (Deputy Magistrate of Yangzhou, Jiangsu), Li Chengqiu (Fengzhi Daifu), Li Zongqi (Fengzhi Daifu), Li DaiChuan (Promoted from Magistrate of Changshu, Jiangsu to Acting Prefect), Li Nanzhou (Appointed General Huaiyuan), Li Qingtian (Left Hall of the Prefecture), Li Rijin (Magistrate of Pinghe County, Shaanxi), Li Mengzheng (Left Hall of the Prefecture), Li Zhengxing (Left Hall of the Prefecture), Li Qizhen (Military Cavalry Officer), Li Shilin (Left Hall of the Prefecture). During the Ming and Qing dynasties, 63 individuals were selected as Juren or higher. During the Republican era, several graduates of the Whampoa Military Academy emerged, including Li Chaobang, who rose to the rank of Lieutenant General.

In March of the fifth year of the Tianshun era of the Ming Dynasty (1461), the six brothers—Li Jie, Li Ben, Li Fengchun, Li Fengqing, Li Fengmao, and Li Fengrong—gathered at the Zuanyitang ancestral hall of the Li clan and established the “Li Clan Family Precepts.” These precepts have been passed down for 553 years and have played a positive role in educating future generations of the Guxia Li clan.

In the second month of spring in the fourth year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, Xu Heng, a Scholar of the Imperial Academy and Minister of the National University, wrote the preface for the Guxia Li clan genealogy; in the first month of the eighth year of the Tianshun era, Luo Jun, a Jinshi and Imperial Censor of Yunnan, wrote the preface; in the first year of the Wanli era, Su Zhishengyan, a Jinshi, Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent, and Minister of Personnel, wrote the preface. A total of seven officials at the level of prefect or above contributed prefaces to the Guxia Li clan genealogy.

Over the generations, literati of the Guxia Li clan composed numerous couplets for ancestral halls and gates. They also wrote poems and essays praising Nantai Temple, leaving behind 15 poems and 5 essays. Two extant stone inscriptions from past eras remain: one inside the Shangzhong Gate and the other to the right of the gate of the Xiande Hall at Nantai Temple.

Additionally, one li west of Guxia lies a mountain known as White Tiger Mountain. To prevent it from disrupting Guxia’s feng shui, a large fishpond was dug west of the village, and around a dozen tall camphor trees once stood in orderly fashion on the western edge of the village. Though the fishpond retains its original appearance, only four of the camphor trees survive due to natural (lightning strikes) and human causes. All are over 500 years old.

III. Architectural Features of Traditional Buildings

Originally, Guxia Village had over twenty ancestral halls of various styles. Today, the larger surviving traditional structures include Guangyu Hall, Zuanyi Hall, Sima Mansion (aka Cangyong Hall), Dragon-Tiger Screen Wall, Shangzhong Gate, and the Stone Arch Bridge.

Guangyu Hall is a two-courtyard, two-room structure built during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty. It is the ancestral hall of Li Fuqing, the fifth-generation ancestor who settled in Guxia. At that time, Fuqing served as the Magistrate of Yuyao County, Zhejiang. The name means “actively engaging in the world, striving for progress, bringing glory to ancestors, and benefiting future generations.” The thick, long crimson stone pillars in the hall were quarried from Danxia Mountain and transported upstream by boat to the edge of Guxia Village. It was once called the “Foremost Ancestral Hall of Renyi.”

Zuanyi Hall is a two-courtyard, two-room structure built in the early Ming Dynasty. It is the ancestral hall of Li Fusheng, the fifth-generation ancestor. Fusheng was a scholar and held a minor local official position. “Zuan” means to inherit, and “Yi” means to bequeath—to inherit and promote the virtues of ancestors and pass down moral excellence to future generations.

Cangyong Hall: Also a two-courtyard, two-room structure, also known as Sima Mansion. Built during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, it is the ancestral hall of Li Qingtian, the fourteenth-generation ancestor. Qingtian served as the Left Hall of the Prefecture, also known as Prefecture Tong or Sima, and was awarded the title of Rulin Lang, a civil official rank of the sixth grade in the Qing Dynasty. Built around the Kangxi era, the hall is over 300 years old and represents typical Hui-style architecture with exquisite carvings, showcasing distinct Ming and Qing architectural features.

Dragon-Tiger Screen Wall: Located in front of the ancestral hall of the Li clan, Zuanyi Hall, in Guxia Village. Built around the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, it is a grand structure, measuring 12.30 meters in length, 6.90 meters in height, and 0.94 meters in thickness. The upper left panel depicts a dragon, the upper right a tiger, and the central panel vertically inscribes the characters “Jiadi Chanlian” (Successive Academic Honors). Legend says this screen wall was bestowed by the emperor.

Shangzhong Gate: Located southwest of Guxia Village, it was built during the Tianshun era of the Ming Dynasty as the main gate of the Li clan. All weddings, funerals, and other major ceremonies passed through this gate. The outer gate is inscribed with “Shangzhong Gate,” and the inner gate with “Longxi Shizu” (Noble House of Longxi). The gate commemorates the loyalty and patriotism of Li Sheng, the “Prince of Xiping and Loyal Martial King” from the Tang Dynasty, and the sacrifice of Guxia’s founding ancestor Li Mo, reminding descendants to uphold loyalty and filial piety.

Stone Arch Bridge: About one li east of Guxia Village stands a delicate and unique ancient stone arch bridge. Built in the third year of the Qianlong era (1739), it was funded by the clan and constructed by the Shi brothers Xie Tingzhen and Xie Tingcai, stonemasons from Jiaying Prefecture. With over 270 years of history, the bridge remains intact despite countless floods and weathering, a testament to the exceptional craftsmanship of the Xie brothers.

Other well-preserved traditional buildings include Fude Shrine, Wugu Shrine, Datian Ancestral Archway, Chen Fen House, Tan Zifa House, Li Faquan Ancestral House, and Li Xingcai Ancestral House.

IV. Historical Customs and Cultural Features

Throughout history, generation after generation of the Guxia Li clan produced many talents, leaving behind not only historical sites and relics but also a rich tapestry of customs and culture.

Large Bronze Gong: Guxia owns a pair of large bronze gongs with a diameter of 0.67 meters. During the mid-Ming Dynasty, the tenth-generation ancestor of the Guxia Li clan, Dai Chuan, served as Magistrate of Changshu, Jiangsu. Known for his integrity, he was deeply loved by the people and promoted to Acting Prefect. Upon retirement, with official approval, he brought back the ceremonial instruments used during his inspections, including these gongs. Though identical in shape, the two gongs produce different tones.

Tang Drum: Guxia has a pair of tang drums with a diameter of 0.32 meters, circular in shape with a 0.5 cm protrusion in the center. “Tang” refers to the sound, while “drum” refers to the protrusion. When struck with a wooden stick, the drum emits a unique tone. These drums are used during weddings and as instruments for scholarly expression. On the wedding day, red paper streamers are tied to bamboo poles, with one carrying the male family’s composed antithetical couplet and the other used to receive the bride’s family’s response. Children accompany the procession, striking the drums. The bride’s family’s scholar would then compose a matching couplet. This tradition became a much-told tale among local literati.

Guxia Village is notable for its many gatehouses. There is one main gate and numerous smaller ones throughout the village. At night, closing these gates prevents thieves from entering. Another feature is the village’s triangular street layout, which is crisscrossed and confusing, making it difficult for outsiders to find their way out. Legend says this design stems from the Li clan’s martial tradition, applying military camp layouts to village planning for defense against bandits. If intruders entered, closing the gates would trap them, allowing for easy capture. Thus, under specific historical conditions, Guxia’s gatehouses played a vital role in protecting the villagers.

Guxia also has a custom called “Summoning the Dragon.” On one evening each New Year, the clan leader leads villagers holding torches, beating drums, and parading through the Dacong and Xiaocong Mountains to “awaken the dragon veins,” ensuring prosperity and peace for the village.

Guxia’s dragon dance has a history of hundreds of years. There are two types: daytime dragon dances and nighttime fire dragon dances. The daytime dragon is woven from bamboo strips for the head and tail, then covered with colored paper and painted. A cloth body connects the head and tail, with circular bamboo frames every 1.5 meters to support the body. The fire dragon is made of straw, also supported every 1.5 meters. During the performance, incense sticks are lit along the dragon, creating a vivid glowing effect at night. As early as the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, during peaceful times, the Guxia Li clan began dragon dancing to express joy. Legend says one year, a dragon several hundred meters long was made, with the dragon head reaching Shijiangtou Village while the tail remained at the ancestral hall.

The lion dance in Guxia also has a history of several hundred years. There are two types of lion dances: one performed during the day called the "awakening lion," and one performed at night called the "fire lion." The awakening lion is purchased from Foshan, while the fire lion is made locally. First, a large grain basket is used to create the lion’s head, several large burlap sacks are used for the body, then straw is tied into strips, and iron wire is used to shape the straw around the basket to form the lion’s head and around the burlap to form the body. At night, incense sticks are inserted into the straw strips and lit, creating a sparkling effect—this is the fire lion. As early as the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, Guxia had a Lion Head Association (a local folk organization). During festivals, the awakening lion would be danced, drums would roar, and the lion dance in Guxia was very lively, winning great popularity among the people.

The lanterns of Guxia are quite distinctive. Starting from the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, Guxia has held an annual Lantern Festival on the first lunar month. Guxia has many skilled craftsmen who create exquisitely lifelike lanterns, including lamp gates, revolving lanterns, roc-spreading-its-wings lanterns, rooster-crowing lanterns, and Wu Song-fighting-the-tiger lanterns, all modeled after animals, offering a dazzling and overwhelming variety.

The custom of "Nao Chunniu" (Teasing the Spring Ox) originated in the Qing Dynasty. At the end of the Spring Festival and before the start of spring plowing, to pray for favorable weather and a bountiful harvest, the Nao Chunniu event is held at night. First, a frame for the ox’s head is constructed using bamboo strips and strips of bamboo; then white paper is pasted onto the frame and painted; next, a piece of black cloth over eight feet long and six feet wide is attached to the ox’s neck, with a tail made at the end of the cloth to represent the ox’s tail—thus, a vivid spring ox is brought to life. At night, two people crawl inside the spring ox to carry it through the village, followed by another person carrying a wooden plow on their shoulder, with a drum music ensemble trailing behind. The plow carrier sings heartfelt mountain songs as they walk along.

The bayin (eight-tone music) of Guxia is renowned across Lingnan. The village of Guxia has had bayin since the early Qing Dynasty, passed down through generations. For all joyous and sorrowful occasions, bayin is used to enhance the festive or mournful atmosphere.

The Hezhai Festival of Guxia. On the second day of the sixth lunar month each year is Guxia’s Hezhai Day. In the days leading up to Hezhai, people get busy preparing new clothes, making glutinous rice cakes, and getting ready the items needed to welcome the deities, all in a flurry of activity. Hezhai, as the name implies, is a grand ceremony held before the summer harvest season, expressing sincere reverence, cleansing the body and mind, and giving thanks for the blessings of the gods.

The wedding customs of the Li family in Guxia reflect the cultural and etiquette refinement of the family. Therefore, the wedding process involves many elaborate rituals. From the betrothal, asking for the birth date, setting the foundation, announcing the wedding date, to welcoming the bride, there are many particularities and formalities.

The worship activities in Guxia are all accompanied by bayin music. During the annual spring and autumn ancestral worship ceremonies, the three-offering ritual is performed, divided into central offering, left offering (for ancestors), and right offering (for descendants), solemn and grand. In the family rituals for deceased ancestors, there are rituals such as "dian zhu" (dotting the spirit tablet) and "ti jing" (hanging the memorial banner).

In addition, the cuisine of Guxia mainly includes cured duck and glutinous rice cakes. The cured duck is exquisitely made, with its fragrance wafting across Lingnan; while the glutinous rice cakes of Guxia are famous far and wide for their excellent color, aroma, and taste.

Source: People's Government of Renhua County

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