Dalingshan Village

Dalingshan Village

Originally named Pushan Village, Dalingshan Village is affectionately called the "Millennium Ancient Village" by nearby residents, as it has a history of over 800 years. It is said that there are two accounts regarding the village’s founding: one credits the Chen family, and the other the Xu family. The Chen family originally came from Jiangxi, and their third-generation descendant, Yiqing Gong, migrated from Zhujixiang in Nanxiong to Dalingshan to establish the village. Another record states that the founder of Dalingshan was Xu, the father of the empress of Shixing Commandery in Guangdong during the Northern Song Dynasty, who fled from Zhujixiang in Nanxiong to Dalingshan in 1119 (the first year of Xuanhe in the Northern Song) and settled there, eventually developing the village.

According to genealogical records: this small Dalingshan Village produced one Tanhua scholar (in the Qing Dynasty), 34 Jinshi scholars, 53 Juren scholars, and over 100 officials of ninth rank or higher—an extraordinary feat. Among them, the Yongsi Hall (commonly called the Garden by villagers), starting with Chen Zhongliang, the 23rd-generation descendant of Liuyuan Hall who passed the Juren examination in the Qing Dynasty, later saw one Jinshi and two Juren scholars among his descendants.

A typical ancient Lingnan village, Dalingshan preserves approximately 9,000 square meters of well-maintained Lingnan-style architecture—a rare sight in the economically developed Pearl River Delta region. Backed by Pushan Mountain and surrounded on three sides by the Yudai River, the village features various ancient stone bridges crossing the waterway. In the southwest corner stands an ancient pagoda, while the village also boasts ancestral halls, gate towers, memorial archways, bluestone alleys, ancient trees, and oyster shell walls.

The 480-year-old Xianzong Ancestral Hall is the ancestral temple of the ninth-generation ancestors of the Chen family in Dalingshan. Structurally and stylistically, it is a classic Lingnan-style ancestral hall. What draws the most attention from experts are the two Western children carved on the stone drum pedestals flanking the main entrance. An elderly villager said that according to ancestors, the inclusion of the two Western children reflected early exposure to Western culture during the temple’s initial construction and subsequent renovations—when China’s isolationist policies were not yet strictly enforced. Some villagers say that figures from various Chinese dynasties are carved along the eaves, symbolizing their lofty status, while the Western children are depicted on the mere half-meter-high drum pedestals, representing a lower status.

On the Yudai River in front of Xianzong Ancestral Hall in the western part of the village lies the Longjin Bridge, the oldest stone arch bridge in Panyu. Built during the Kangxi era, it is a single-pier, two-arch bridge constructed from red sandstone. The bridge piers feature rare dividing ridges that prevent boat collisions and reduce impact on the structure—highly scientific. The railings of Longjin Bridge are adorned with Ming-style scroll patterns and hidden Eight Immortals weapon motifs. One slab on the northern side’s western end even depicts a Westerner kneeling and holding a tray in an offering gesture, further highlighting the uniqueness of Dalingshan Village.

Beside Longjin Bridge stands the Dakui Pavilion Pagoda, built in the 10th year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty. Over 20 meters tall, this three-story hexagonal brick pagoda has a granite and white limestone base and double-sloped polished blue brick walls—symbolizing the flourishing cultural movement in Dalingshan at the time.

The buildings in Dalingshan Village mainly date from the Ming, Qing, and Republican periods, featuring traditional craftsmanship such as plaster sculpture, brick carving, and stone carving. It is Guangzhou’s first national-level historical and cultural village, as well as a national historical and cultural village, a provincial-level scenic tourism village, and a notable village in Guangdong Province.

Transportation: Transportation to Dalingshan Village is not particularly developed but is still manageable. You can take Metro Line 4 to Shiji Station, then transfer to Panyu Bus 126 and get off at Dalingshan Village Station. Alternatively, take Metro Line 3 to Panyu Square Station and transfer to Panyu Bus 126, which runs between Panyu Central Hospital and Tsinghua Innovation Technology Park. Panyu Bus 128 also reaches Dalingshan Village Station, traveling from Lianhuashan Station to Hualong Station. Visitors who have extra time after touring Lianhuashan Mountain may continue on to Dalingshan Village via Bus 128.

The ancestral hall of the Chen family, known as “Liuyuan Hall,” serves as a reminder for future generations not to forget their roots in Liuxi, Jiangxi—the origin of the Chen family in Dalingshan, also referred to as their “ancestral homeland.” The couplet at the entrance of the ancestral hall also alludes to “Liuyuan.”

The ancestral hall was initially built during the Song Dynasty in honor of Yiding Gong, the founding ancestor of the Chen family in Dalingshan. It holds the most significant historical and social status in the village. Reconstructed in 2001, it is located at the village entrance, covering an area of over 300 square meters, with a plaza of 1,250 square meters in front. Chen Yiding’s great-great-grandfather, Chen Yanyue, served as an educational officer in Nanxiong Prefecture and a county magistrate in Baochang County during the Northern Song Dynasty. His ancestral home was in Gujing Lane, Liuxi Township, Taihe County, Jiangxi Province, and he was the first ancestor of the Guangzhou Fengxiang Chen family to migrate to Guangdong.

The ancestral hall of the Chen family, “Liuyuan Hall,” built during the Southern Song Dynasty, covers an area of 300 square meters. On the eastern side of the entrance plaza stand five pairs of flagpole stands, all made of white bluestone.

Prohibition Stele. The text of the Liuyuan Hall Public Prohibition Stele outlines rules and bans established at the time to uphold the feudal system of private land ownership. The “Public Prohibition Stele” reflects a facet of feudal governance and clan authority in Chinese society, serving as a microcosm of feudal rule.

Xu Ancestral Hall. The Xu family originally came from Shaoxing Prefecture, Zhejiang Province. A Xu woman from Zhujixiang was enthroned as empress, and her imperial uncle was appointed as an official in Nanxiong, Guangdong. When the empress returned home, she was falsely accused by eunuchs of conspiring with her brother to cause unrest, forcing her family to flee and eventually settle in Dalingshan. The Xu family had previously built four ancestral halls, but they were destroyed over time due to turmoil. The current Xu Ancestral Hall was reconstructed in 1999.

Shajingqi was built in the 22nd year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1777 AD). Constructed from granite and white bluestone, the well is 3.3 meters deep with about 2.5 meters of water. Its supply is endless and inexhaustible, providing water for dozens of nearby households. Because the water gushes out swiftly like air, it is called “Shajingqi” (literally, “Sand Well Qi”). Locals usually refer to it as “Shajingqi.” The water is clear, warm in winter and cool in summer, with even white vapor rising from the well in winter. Tea brewed with this water is especially fragrant. More remarkably, rice cooked with Shajingqi water won’t spoil overnight—even in hot weather. This sets it apart from other wells nearby.

Jiyimen (Gate of Righteous Unity) was built in 1912. The three characters “Jiyimen” were inscribed and written by Chen Huiwen, a resident of Dalingshan Village at the time. Originally facing north, Jiyimen was a two-story watchtower serving as the entrance to Xudi Street in Dalingshan Village. Surrounded by walls and firing ports, it played a defensive role. The name “Jiyimen” conveys the idea that those who pass through must accumulate virtue, align their words and actions with conscience, and be guided by moral integrity to achieve the Confucian ideal of “acting freely yet within propriety.”

Liangtang Ancestral Hall was built during the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1403–1424) and is the ancestral hall of the eighth-generation ancestors of the Chen family in Dalingshan. The ancestor was named Liangtang, hence the name of the hall. The structure follows a three-bay layout, covering an area of 1,686 square meters, and faces southwest from a northeast orientation. The most distinctive feature of Liangtang Ancestral Hall is its exterior walls, densely packed with meticulously stacked oyster shell walls. The walls rise nine meters high, are thick, and comprise at least ten tons of oyster shells—creating an awe-inspiring and majestic sight.

The main gate of Liangtang Ancestral Hall is spacious, with ornate beams and painted rafters, decorated with plaster carvings, brick carvings, wood carvings, and stone carvings. The plaque above the main gate reads “Liangtang Ancestral Hall,” with couplets on either side that read “Yingchuan’s Legacy” and “Dalingshan’s Family Tradition.”

There are many oyster shell houses in Dalingshan Village, a unique feature of the area. Oyster shell walls are warm in winter and cool in summer, durable, and said to be able to withstand gunfire. They offer excellent soundproofing and anti-theft properties—attempting to climb over them risks cutting oneself.

Oyster shell walls are said to be constructed by mixing bamboo oyster shells with yellow mud, brown sugar, and steamed glutinous rice, layered together. These walls not only provide sound insulation but are also warm in winter and cool in summer, resistant to water accumulation and pests, extremely durable, and well-suited to Lingnan’s climate.

The oyster shell walls of Liangtang Ancestral Hall and Chaolie Dafu Ancestral Hall in Dalingshan Village were built during the Ming Dynasty, dating back 500 to 600 years.

Bodhi Banyan

Pushan First Gate. The gate tower served as an important checkpoint against bandit raids. Pushan First Gate is one such structure. About 9 meters tall with two levels, the lower level has a closable gate, while the upper level is accessible via stairs and equipped with gunports for surveillance and shooting. Upon signs of bandit attacks, guards would sound the alarm by gong, prompting the village’s able-bodied men to quickly arm themselves with swords, spears, and clubs to defend the village.

Chao Lie Dafu Chen Ancestral Hall. According to Ming Dynasty conventions, officials of the fourth rank were titled Chao Lie Dafu, later also called Chao Yi Dafu. In the Qing Dynasty, all fourth-rank officials were given the title Chao Yi Dafu. The Chao Lie Dafu Chen Ancestral Hall, also known as Jizhai Ancestral Hall, was built during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1578 AD). It enshrines Chen Jizhai, styled Haoxian, the 11th-generation ancestor of the Dalingshan Chen family. He was a Juren scholar in the Hongzhi Year of the Ming Dynasty, appointed as a scholar at the Nanjing Imperial College, promoted to Tongpan (vice prefect) of Linjiang Prefecture, then to Tongzhi (deputy prefect) of Zhangzhou Prefecture, and granted the honorary title of Fengzheng Furen before advancing to Chao Lie Dafu—thus known as the Ancestor Dafu.

Jielong Bridge. Every Dragon Boat Festival, to welcome dragon boats visiting from nearby villages, Dalingshan Village built a new bridge at the mouth of the Yudai River, called “Jielong Bridge,” meaning “Welcoming the Dragon Boat.” Entirely built from white granite, it is commonly known as the White Stone New Bridge. Constructed during the Tongzhi era (1862–1874), the bridge was severely damaged some years ago but was fully restored in December 2007. It is 20 meters long, 2.9 meters wide, and spans 6.3 meters. This single-arch bridge crosses the Yudai River from northeast to southwest, with its deck laid with 23 granite slabs. Each riverbank has a resting platform paved with seven long granite slabs. Climbing the eight steps from the platforms leads to the bridge.

Zhen Shou Men (Gate of Chaste Longevity) was built in 1893 (the 19th year of the Guangxu reign). Facing north, it is a three-bay, four-pillar, triple-arch stone memorial archway constructed from granite. The front plaque is inscribed in relief with the characters “Zhen Shou Men” and dated “18th Month of the Autumn, Guangxu Year of Gui Si.” The central horizontal plaque bears the characters “Imperial Edict.” The left arch reads “Shared Joy,” the right “Hundred Years,” and each of the four pillars is inscribed with a couplet. The rear central stone plaque also reads “Zhen Shou Men,” with the upper inscription “18th Month of Autumn, 19th Year of Guangxu” and the lower “Erected by Chen Dahu, awarded the title of Wenlin Lang, his wife and concubine Chen Cai and Chen Xian, both awarded the title of Seventh-Rank Ru Ren.” Each couplet is signed with a seal. The Gui Si Year archway was designated in September 2002 as a Guangzhou Municipal Registered Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Hanging from the eaves of Sanhuan Temple are incense offerings from worshippers. Ascending the hundred-step bluestone stairway on either side of the temple leads to the second and third halls, also enshrining deities—perhaps explaining the name “Sanhuan” (Three Returns). Rebuilt in 1992 with donations from fellow villagers, Sanhuan Temple commemorates the chastity of a maiden aunt. To honor her grace and ensure her legacy lives on, the temple also enshrines deities such as Hongsheng, Guanyin, and Manjushri, allowing villagers to pray for favorable weather and peace under heaven.

Built during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, Xianzong Ancestral Hall, also known as Ningde Hall, is the ancestral hall of the ninth-generation ancestors of the Chen family. It was renovated in 1741 (the Xin You Year of Qianlong) and covers an area of 1,632 square meters. The plaque was inscribed by Wang Mingxuan, a Jinshi scholar of 1604 (the Jia Chen Year of Wanli) and imperial censor, who served as an inspector.

The ancestral hall features a three-courtyard, two-patio layout. The front gate is adorned with four-tiered lotus-shaped bracket arms, while the gables are decorated with brick carvings. The beams and columns are embellished with wood carvings, interspersed with motifs of fish, shrimp, and crabs within scrolling floral patterns.

Longjin Bridge is located in Dalin Village, a thousand-year-old settlement in Shilou Town, Panyu District, Guangzhou. Built during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, it is a single-pier, two-arch bridge constructed from red sandstone. The bridge piers feature relatively rare dividing ridges on both sides, which not only prevent boat collisions but also reduce water impact on the bridge structure — a highly scientific design. The railings of Longjin Bridge are adorned with Ming Dynasty-style scrollwork and hidden Eight Immortals weapon motifs. Notably, one railing slab on the north side’s western end depicts a Westerner in a kneeling posture, holding out a plate as if making an offering, further highlighting the uniqueness of Dalin Village. Adjacent to Longjin Bridge stands the Dakui Pavilion Tower, first built in the 10th year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty. Standing over 20 meters tall, this three-story hexagonal brick pagoda features granite and white limestone foundations, double-angle polished blue brick walls, and signifies the flourishing cultural movement in Dalin Village at the time.

Longjin Bridge is an ancient structure built during the Qing Kangxi era, constructed from red sandstone. It features a single pier and two arches, spanning the Yudai River. Each side of the bridge deck has 16 balusters and 15 railing slabs, all engraved with scroll patterns and hidden Eight Immortals weapon motifs. On the northwest corner of the north-side slab is carved an image of a Westerner kneeling while holding out a plate — a distinctive feature.

Dakui Pavilion Tower. From a distance, this tower resembles an upright “writing brush,” with Longjin Bridge likened to a brush rest nearby. An adjacent fishpond looks like an inkstone — historically recorded as “Yanmo Pool” (Ink-Grinding Pool). A poem once read: “Dakui Pavilion Tower stands like a brush, writing the world’s literature upside down.”

This three-story brick pagoda, oriented from Qian (乾) to Xun (巽) with a slight deviation toward Chen (辰) and Xu (戌), commenced construction on the sixth day of the second lunar month in the Year of the Wood Monkey (1884), during the 10th year of the Guangxu reign, and was completed on the 16th day of the seventh lunar month the same year. For a village pagoda, it is rare for three inscribed plaques — bestowed by a top imperial scholar (zhuangyuan), an imperial examination second-place laureate (bangyan), and a third-place laureate (tanhua) — to be collectively authored. The scholarly pagoda of Dalin Village is precisely such a rarity.

Dalin Village: Located northwest of Shilou Town, Panyu District, Guangzhou, beside Guokang Avenue, Dalin Village covers an area of approximately 3 square kilometers. It administers 9 villager groups and 5 natural segments, with a total population of 2,406. The arable land area is about 1,900 mu, and the village generates an annual income of approximately 2.4 million yuan.

Dalin Village is situated 15 kilometers from downtown Guangzhou and about 3 kilometers from the center of Shilou Town, enjoying relatively convenient transportation and a superior geographical location. The village committee actively promotes economic development and has established the approximately 180-mu Pushan Industrial Zone, boosting both collective village economy and villagers’ incomes. Blessed with beautiful scenery, lush mountains and clear waters... [More details about Dalin Village++]