Bai Lu Ming and Qing Dynasties Hakka Residential Buildings

　　The Bai Lu Ming and Qing Dynasties Hakka residential complex. Bai Lu Township was established during the Song Dynasty (1136) and flourished during the Ming and Qing periods. This grand market town residential complex of the Hakka people spans around 50,000 square meters, shaped like a crescent moon. Nestled against the mountains and near the water, it boasts beautiful scenery. The layout and scenic arrangement are well-planned and truly spectacular. There are currently 69 relatively well-preserved ancient ancestral halls, temples, and other structures, all featuring thick blue bricks, ornate beams and painted rafters, as well as diverse and lifelike stone carvings and lime sculptures. It is one of the most intact, concentrated, grand in scale, and rare surviving examples of an ancient Hakka commercial town and residential cluster in the province. Representative buildings include the Shichang Hall, Hongyu Hall, former residence of Zhong Chongyan, Fushen Temple, and Wang Tai Fu’s Ancestral Hall.

　　Bai Lu Township has a long history and has been home to many notable figures, with numerous historical sites, ancient buildings, and cultural relics. Among the more famous are the Hulu Well in Jitang Village, the private school of Wen Tianxiang, and the Guancun Shang-Zhou ancient tomb complex. Bai Lu Township is one of the birthplaces of Hakka culture and the origin of the Donghe Opera in southern Jiangxi. It still showcases a rich variety of Hakka folk customs, such as “Da Jiao” (palanquin parade), “Shao Wa” (tile burning), “Da Mi Guo” (rice cake making), and “Shao Lei Cha” (pounded tea making), accompanied by the graceful flight of the elegant and dancing egrets.