Zhonghua Gate Tower

　　The brick carvings on the gate towers of Taiji Lake Village are considered the finest in Huizhou, with each piece being a rare treasure that showcases a uniquely distorted romantic beauty. There is a large quantity of carvings spread over an extensive area—there are as many as 20 locations, with the largest decorative carving covering an area of 4.2 square meters. The gate tower designs are rich and varied, including scroll-style, watchtower-style, and pendant-column styles. The carving techniques are masterful, creating a strong sense of three-dimensionality and texture, demonstrating craftsmanship at its peak. The content of the carvings is diverse, featuring vivid imagery, well-balanced composition with appropriate density, and prominent themes. The brick-carved gate towers of Hucun span over 300 years and serve as extremely valuable historical and cultural materials. As such, Taiji Lake Village has also earned the reputation of “China’s No. 1 Village of Gate Towers.”

　　Location: Hucun, Jixi County, Anhui Province