The Historic Architectural Complex of Chen Hongqing’s Former Residence

　　A native of Lufu Village in Dongxiang, born in the 14th year of the Daoguang reign during the Qing Dynasty (1835), he was appointed as a Colonel of the Infantry, and held positions such as Commander of the Left District Infantry of the Liuzhou Defense Garrison and Commander of the Third Army of the Guangxi Self-Government Army. In the 13th year of the Republic of China, he took the lead in calling on local gentry to raise funds for the renovation of the Wuxuan Confucian Temple. In 1870, he built his family residence in Changtang Village, Dongxiang, oriented from east to west, covering an area of 50 mu with a built-up area of 30 mu, and consisting of 88 rooms. The structure is a composite of blue bricks, mud bricks, timber, and green tiles. The entire architectural complex is well laid out, featuring the characteristics of traditional ancient southern Chinese architecture. Its decorative elements—carved dragons and phoenixes, swimming fish, flowers and birds, as well as scrolling vines and interlocking branches—are vivid and exquisitely crafted. The entire property is still inhabited by his descendants, so the buildings are relatively well preserved and hold high historical, artistic, and scientific research value. They serve as representative examples of both the ancient residential architecture and the traditional ethnic architectural complexes in Wuxuan County.