Julong Ancient Village

Julong Ancient Village

Julong Ancient Village is a cultural heritage site protected by Guangzhou Municipality.

Julong Village, also known as "Kuang Family Village," was built in the fifth year of the Guangxu reign (1879) by a group of overseas Chinese from Taishan surnamed Kuang who purchased the land. Located between Longxi and Zhao Village on Chongkou Street, the entrance of the village faces a bend in the river. The renovated riverbanks are shaded by ancient banyan trees, still retaining a pastoral charm. Julong Village now covers an area of over 5,200 square meters and preserves three rows of historic houses in the front and back, totaling 20 units.

In Fangcun, Guangzhou, there is a well-preserved complex of Qing Dynasty architecture — Julong Village. It is said that this ancient village, with a history of over 110 years, is still home to hundreds of residents of all ages. The blue-brick houses in Julong Village have walls with bases made of whole slabs of bluestone, and the window lintels feature gray carvings of auspicious and prosperous patterns. The doors of the houses are multi-layered, consisting from the outside in of a corner door, a sliding lattice door, and the main door.

The interior designs of the buildings in Julong Village are largely similar. The main halls are decorated with three layers of screen doors. Many of the wood carvings on the screens have faded over time but have gained an even more rustic elegance. On both sides of the hall, four rooms are symmetrically arranged. There are five rooms on the second floor, and some colorful windows are inlaid with poetic verses.

In the alleys, you can also find several "oyster shell houses," which use blue bricks for pillars and are built with oyster shells for the walls. These are larger in scale than the "oyster shell house" near the school, with walls almost two stories high. The difference is that the one near the school even has its pillars made of oyster shells.

Julong Village covers an area of over 5,200 square meters and features rows of neat, uniformly designed blue-brick houses. These ancient buildings share architectural characteristics similar to those of Xiguan-style residences. The Julong Village historical complex was first built in the fifth year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1879) by the Kuang clan from Taishan, Guangdong. It is one of the most intact ancient residential complexes in Guangzhou. There are currently 19 surviving two-story blue-brick buildings. The village follows a well-organized grid layout with seven streets and lanes running neatly and beautifully, crisscrossing in an orderly fashion. Each residential courtyard occupies about 200 square meters and faces south. Originally, there were 20 buildings. The architectural style of the village boasts strong Lingnan characteristics and high historical value, and it has been designated as a Guangzhou historical and cultural preservation area. Julong Village is considered a place of outstanding geographical blessing and talent, believed to have a dragon vein underground, hence its name. The village has produced many notable figures, including Kuang Qizhao, a pioneer in Guangzhou’s newspaper industry and an official in the Qing Dynasty's Ministry of Education; Kuang Hengshi, a famous “gold tycoon” (specializing in gold) in Hong Kong and Macau; and renowned merchants such as Kuang Mingjue and Kuang Wuchen.

Address: Chongkou Street, Liwan District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province

Transportation: Take bus routes 64, 181, or 217 within Guangzhou and get off at Dachongkou Station.

Julong Community: Julong Village, Chongkou Subdistrict, Liwan District

Julong Ancient Village is located between Longxi and Zhao Village on Chongkou Street in Liwan District, Guangzhou. The main structures of the village were built in the fifteenth year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1889 AD), and it has a history of over a hundred years. The village is divided into three rows, with seven houses in each row. The architectural specifications of the houses in each row are basically the same, featuring a style akin to independent villas while retaining the characteristics of traditional Lingnan houses.

Each building is constructed with polished blue bricks, laid with bluestone foundations, and features door and window frames made of granite. Upon entering the gate is a wooden screen, and the main hall is adorned with exquisite wood carvings throughout. … Julong Community detailed information++

Further Reading:

· Sixth batch of Guangzhou Cultural Heritage Conservation Units