Fotang Ancient Town

　　   Within the historical and cultural area of Fotang, there are over a hundred important historic buildings and traditional dwellings, most of which were constructed during the Qing Dynasty and the early Republican period. Compared to typical Jiangnan-style houses, although both feature white walls and black tiles, Fotang’s ancient architecture differs from conventional Jiangnan buildings. Its exteriors inherit the horse-head gables of Huizhou-style homes, while intricate details as well as structural elements incorporate distinctive local craftsmanship in wood, brick, and stone carvings. Moreover, the carved floral motifs and patterns are rich in meaning and exquisitely executed.

　　   Fotang Ancient Town has a long history with historical relics scattered throughout. Currently, within the town, municipal-level cultural heritage sites include Liugeng Hall, the Stone Archway of Chastity, Mao Family Courtyard, Wu Qiji Residence, Liuxuan Primary School, and Youlong Ancestral Hall; municipal-level cultural heritage points include the Wang Zehua Residence, Eighteen Rooms, Zhang Sanmao Hall, Xin Nanshan Residence, and Zhihuai Hall.

　　   Traveling from north to south along the town, the Puchuan Stream runs from east to west through the town, accompanied by distant mountains faintly visible in the background, ancient camphor trees standing tall nearby, and the area’s mild natural climate—all of which contribute to the enchanting natural scenery of Fotang Ancient Town.

　　   Approaching the town from the west side of the river via the “Wanshan Bridge,” visitors will reach the Xinxiji area by the old street, where there is an over 800-year-old camphor tree with a trunk diameter of about 1.8 meters, its towering branches exuding a sense of antiquity and mystery. Another ancient camphor tree stands in resonance with this one at Xinxiji. At the ferry dock, there is also an old hackberry tree estimated to be around 300 years old.

　　   Fotang Ancient Town is a place of outstanding people and vibrant heritage. For thousands of years, it has attracted numerous talents, with several key figures closely tied to its flourishing: the highly revered Buddhist master Fu Daoshi in China’s Buddhist community, anti-Wokou heroes such as Qi Jiguang and Chen Dacheng, prominent Northern Song official Wang Yanchao, Confucian scholar Xu Qiao, as well as medical sages Xu Xing and Wang Yuxiu.