Xidan Ancient Dwellings

　　   Xidan Ancient Dwellings, commonly known as the Five-Section Official Hall, is located in Xidan Village, ShenTu Town. It was built by Lin Yandeng, a Qing Dynasty imperial guard from the Xidan family, and has a history of nearly 200 years. It is listed as a cultural heritage site under the protection of Zhangpu County. The main layout of Xidan Ancient Dwellings follows a nine-section, five-courtyard structure, demonstrating grand scale and compact design that reflect the prosperity and unity of the family.

　　   It is said that during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, a prominent businessman from Zhangzhou named Lin Bang once operated 13 silk thread shops across the Zhangzhou area. One day, while traveling and passing through Xidan Village, the weather suddenly turned bad and he took shelter from the wind and rain in the Temple of the Earth God. While resting, the Earth God appeared to him in a dream, asking him to reclaim the land of Xidan Village. Upon waking, Lin Bang immediately consulted a feng shui master to assess the site’s auspiciousness, then moved his entire family to Xidan Village to establish a community. In the 14th year of the Jiaqing reign (1809), Lin Bang’s descendant Lin Yindeng passed the imperial martial arts examination and served as an imperial guard. After retiring, Lin Yindeng built the present-day Xidan Ancient Dwellings.

　　   This Five-Section Official Hall consists of a main residence and six sets of wing rooms. The entire architectural complex is neatly arranged and well-spaced, with the wing rooms interconnected with the main residence, facilitating internal communication and management within the family. The main residence includes four sections: the entrance hall, the second hall, the main hall, and the rear hall. It is five bays wide and two to three bays deep. The roof features a flush gable style, with beams forming the primary structural framework and bracket sets used in the construction. The intricate carvings and painted beams make it exceptionally beautiful. The orderly layout and architectural style of the “Five-Section Official Hall” showcase the exquisite craftsmanship of Southern Fujian architecture and embody the refined elegance of Qing Dynasty official families in the region. In front of the main residence lies a semicircular brick courtyard, and about 50 meters to the right of the courtyard stands a stage. On the 13th day of the fifth lunar month each year, this venue comes alive with Xiang Opera performances and ceremonial activities, creating a lively atmosphere.

　　    Xidan Ancient Dwellings lack the grandeur of imperial palaces, but instead offer the gentle tranquility of a small bridge over flowing water; they do not flaunt excessive opulence, but rather feature eclectic embellishments; they carry no domineering aura, but instead exude the refined dignity of an esteemed family. Stepping into Xidan Ancient Dwellings is like entering a sanctuary for the soul, allowing you to experience the unique charm of an ancient village.