The Ancient Architectural Complex of Hongjiang

　　The Ancient Architectural Complex of Hongjiang is situated on the north bank of the Yuan River in Hongjiang City, Huaihua, Hunan Province. Established as Hongjiang Fort in the fifth year of the Yuanyou era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1090), it had developed into a commercial town between Hunan and Guizhou by the end of the Yuan Dynasty. A Hongjiang Post was set up during the Ming Dynasty, and Hongjiang Town was established in the Qing Dynasty. It was known as “Little Nanjing” during the Republic of China period. To this day, over 300 well-preserved ancient Yinzi houses, more than 60 temples, halls, ancestral shrines, and courtyards, along with old newspaper offices, schools, banks, stages, workshops, shops, and flagstone streets and alleys, remain. The Ming and Qing dynasty Yinzi houses and guildhalls are the most distinctive ancient buildings here.

　　The Yinzi houses resemble traditional Chinese quadrangle courtyards, usually consisting of two or three tiers. In structures with three tiers or more, corridors connect the northern and southern sections. Within the towering firewalls, the roofs gently slope inward from all sides toward a central courtyard, which provides light and ventilation. These houses are nestled against mountains or rivers, hidden in deep alleys or built on stilts along the riverbanks. Their high walls and eaves stand close together, while flagstone lanes connect to stone stairways and docks. The town hosts ten major guildhalls, including those from Shanxi and Changde, mostly situated near river docks and extending into deep alleys or uphill areas. Guildhalls typically include main halls, side halls, reception rooms, parlors, guest rooms, and stages. The Tai Ping Palace (Baogqing Guildhall) features an intricately carved blue stone gate with reliefs depicting historical and legendary figures such as Lady Yue tattooing characters on her son’s back and the Eight Immortals crossing the sea.

　　In May 2006, the Ancient Architectural Complex of Hongjiang, recognized as historical architecture from the Ming to the Republican period, was approved by the State Council for inclusion in the sixth batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.