Thirty-Six Courtyards House

　　   The Thirty-Six Courtyards House is located in Qiuchuan Town, about 28 kilometers west of Changshan County. This century-old ancient residence boasts exquisite carvings, a unique design, and a complex structure. Covering an area of 3,592.5 square meters, it has over a hundred rooms and thirty-six courtyards of various sizes. The structure consists of a main gate, front section, middle section, rear section, and side rooms. Stepping through the main gate feels like entering a maze — the corridors twist and turn yet connect every corner, linking more than a hundred room doors and thirty-six courtyards both large and small. Entering the larger courtyards, you’ll be greeted by the fragrance of flowers. Osmanthus trees with trunks as thick as a ruler are lush and leafy, presenting a majestic sight of ancient trees reaching toward the sky. In August each year, their blossoms fill the air with a sweet, refreshing scent.

　　   The structure of the “Thirty-Six Courtyards House” features a distinctive post-and-lintel style. Rooms are separated by carved wooden panel walls and connected via interior corridors. Its beams, pillars, lintels, eaves, and walls are all adorned with carvings of birds, animals, flowers, and plants, including plum blossoms, orchids, lotuses, chrysanthemums, the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, and lions playing with balls — a rich array of designs.

　　   The main gate frame and lintel are made of granite, featuring exquisitely carved patterns such as layered petals of autumn chrysanthemums, summer lotuses, and sunflowers.

　　   Another marvel of the “Thirty-Six Courtyards House” is that despite being a grand building covering an area of over six acres, its surrounding brick walls contain not a single window. Yet the interior remains well-ventilated and bright, with each room and hall clearly illuminated. Even during the hot summer months, the inside stays cool and comfortable.