Xiamei Village

　　 Xiamei, a small village at the foot of Wuyi Mountain, is located 4 kilometers east of the Wuyi Mountain Scenic Area and forms part of the Wuyi Mountain cultural heritage. The village gets its name from its location downstream of the Meixi Stream. During the Kangxi and Qianlong reigns of the Qing Dynasty, Xiamei was once a bustling tea market for Wuyi Mountain and enjoyed great prosperity.

　　 Meixi Stream: Xiamei's prosperity in the past stemmed from its tea market, and waterways were the lifeblood of the village. Roads were not built until 1958; before that, the adjacent Meixi Stream served as Xiamei’s vital transportation route to Wuyi Town and even overseas. The Dangxi Stream, which flows into the Meixi, divides the village into northern and southern sections. Stretching over 900 meters, Dangxi is actually an artificial canal, planned and constructed during the Kangxi era specifically to support the tea trade, featuring nine docks along its banks. On both sides of the Dangxi are the North and South Streets, lined with railings along the water where people could sit or lean. Numerous small stone bridges span the stream, facilitating easy movement. The Meixi Stream divides Xiamei Village into northern and southern parts.

　　 Qing Dynasty Ancient Residences: If the streams are the blood of Xiamei, then the diverse buildings along the waterways are its bones. Today, more than 30 ancient residences with distinctive Qing Dynasty architectural features remain. Many of the preserved ancestral halls and homes are still relatively intact, such as the Zou Family Ancestral Hall, the Fang Family’s Military Official Mansion, and the Recluse’s Abode. Among them, the most noteworthy is the Zou Family Mansion, an imposing structure with exquisite carvings and well-preserved condition, still inhabited by descendants of the Zou family today.

　　 Most of the ancient residential complexes in Xiamei were built during the Qianlong period, primarily consisting of civilian houses supplemented by educational, recreational, and leisure facilities. These residences were mainly built with brick and wood structures, using cantilevered beams and reduced columns to create spacious interiors. The homes typically consist of two halls with three or four sections, featuring east pavilions, west wings, study rooms, and terraces. The exteriors are dominated by tall firewalls, many of which are adorned with elegant, continuous painted patterns. Each residence has an interconnected underground drainage system. The layouts of these homes are intricately arranged with winding alleys and secluded lanes.

　　 Brick Carvings: In Xiamei, the gates of every residence are adorned with exquisitely carved brick decorations symbolizing wealth and grandeur. The brick carvings often depict historical figures, folk scenes, and mythological tales, all finely crafted and lifelike. The finest examples can be found at the Zou Family Ancestral Hall and the Zou Family Mansion. In addition to human figures, the carvings also include flowers, birds, landscapes, and utensils, all integrated into harmonious designs.

　　 Wood carving art is mainly featured on windows, with patterns often themed around elegant and auspicious animals, plants, and figures. To this day, many exquisite window carvings remain well-preserved in the ancient residences. Visiting the ancient homes of Xiamei allows one to appreciate the style and charm of Qing Dynasty folk architecture.

　　 Hiking Route

　　 Starting from the Wuyishan National Resort Area (San’gu), take Zhanbei Road north for 4 kilometers, look for the Xiamei directional sign, then continue east for 3 kilometers to reach Xiamei. Alternatively, from downtown Wuyishan City, turn onto Zhanbei Road and head south for 5 kilometers, find the Xiamei directional sign, then go east for 3 kilometers to get to Xiamei.