Shitang Ancient Village

Shitang Ancient Village

Shitang Ancient Village is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Located in a beautiful small basin about 20 kilometers northwest of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Danxia Mountain, Shitang Ancient Village is surrounded by verdant mountains, with a vast expanse of flat farmland in between. The area boasts expansive fields, winding streams, golden rice waves, and scattered villages, all contributing to its long and glorious history. Since the early Ming Dynasty during the Hongwu era, when the founding ancestor Li Keqiu migrated from Fujian and began cultivating the land and building houses, Shitang Ancient Village has weathered 640 years of history. By the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty, it had grown into a village of a thousand households, becoming the largest natural village in Renhua County.

Covering a total area of 15 hectares, Shitang Ancient Village currently has a population of over 3,400 people and features 133 ancient buildings, 106 of which are well-preserved. It is the most historically rich and architecturally intact ancient village in the Shaoguan area, boasting the largest complex of ancient houses, lanes, wells, fortresses, traditions, and charm. On December 13, 2010, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the National Cultural Heritage Administration announced the fifth list of China's Famous Historical and Cultural Towns and Villages in Beijing, with 99 towns and villages selected. Among the only four from Guangdong Province, Shitang Ancient Village in Renhua County was included, making it the only "China's Famous Historical and Cultural Village" in Shaoguan. Its architectural style is truly unique.

Viewed from above, Shitang Village presents an imposing sight with continuous eaves and rooftop ridges. Its 42,000-plus square meters of grey-brick and grey-tile residences cover an area of 3.8 hectares, exuding grandeur. Most of the village houses feature grey-brick horse-head walls. These fireproof walls, which rise above the rooftops with upturned corners, are a distinctive feature of Huizhou-style architecture, while the beam structures and caisson ceilings inside the houses reflect a strong influence from Fujian. Some rammed-earth and mud-brick houses also exhibit the typical characteristics of Hakka architecture. Most of the existing buildings were constructed during the Ming and Qing Dynasties and hold significant historical research value.

Shitang Ancient Village is a settlement that integrates ancient houses, lanes, wells, fortresses, traditions, and charm. It is the oldest village in Shaoguan and one where ancient buildings are best preserved. The village retains the overall layout and architectural styles from the Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China, as well as a well-preserved natural ecosystem where landscapes and scenery are in harmonious unity. The soaring high roofs, numerous ancestral halls, exquisite stone pillar couplets and ancient murals within the halls, together with the majestic architecture of Shuangfeng Fortress, further highlight the unique architectural features of the ancient village. Local folk culture such as the traditional Yuejie Song and the artisanal technique of brewing Duihuajiu (stacked-flower liquor) offer visitors seeking rural leisure a uniquely natural experience.

During the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1368), Li Keqiu migrated from Fenglang Village, Shengyunli, Shanghang, Fujian, to Shitang Village in Renhua. His descendants KeLiu moved to Xiafu, KeXing to Zhoutian in Qujiang, and KeChun to Chencun in Guangzhou. Li Keqiu settled in Shitang, where he had sons Diancheng and Fupan. Diancheng gave birth to Xiaoshilang, who in turn had a son named Li Zixing (also known as Ji Wulang). Starting with Zixing, the construction of ancestral halls in Shitang Village began. The 12th-generation ancestor Dayong first built Sanduotang at the high gate of Shitang Village. Sanduotang faces south and is situated northward, with a high doorstep located 50 meters in front of it. The doorstep has seven steps, ascending three steps from the south and then descending four. In the past, if someone asked whether you were from Shitang, they would first ask how many steps the high doorstep had. If you could answer correctly, you were proven to be from Shitang; if not, you were suspected of being an imposter. The high doorstep became a major symbol of Shitang.

Shitang Ancient Village features grand architectural scale and classic ancient lanes. It currently preserves 133 ancient buildings from the Ming, Qing, and Republican periods, making it the largest and best-preserved ancient village complex in Renhua County and even the entire Shaoguan area. In 2009, it was listed among the second batch of recognized ancient villages in Guangdong Province. In 2010, it was designated as a national-level “China’s Famous Historical and Cultural Village.” On July 22, 2010, Shitang Ancient Village was officially recognized as a “China’s Famous Historical and Cultural Village.” In 2012, it was named one of Guangdong Province’s Top Ten Most Characteristic Ancient Villages and was also included in the first batch of China’s Traditional Villages by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Ministry of Culture, and Ministry of Finance. In February 2014, it was honored as a Famous Village of Guangdong. In 2016, it was rated as a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

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