Xidi Village – A Museum of Ming and Qing Dynasty Residences

The Hu Wenguang Memorial Archway, also known as the “Xidi Archway,” was built in the sixth year of the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty (1578). It is located at the entrance of Xidi Village in Xidi Town, occupying an area of 127.6 square meters, with a length of 15.75 meters and a width of 8.1 meters. The archway follows a three-bay, four-column, five-story architectural format. It was erected by imperial decree to honor Hu Wenguang for his 32 years of exemplary service as an official. The archway stands 12.3 meters high and 9.95 meters wide, constructed from Yixian bluestone. The main columns rest on rectangular stone pedestals, and the ends of the stone columns are adorned with drum-shaped stones. The middle pair of columns is decorated with two pairs of stone lions, carved in a lifelike manner. The archway features intricate openwork relief carvings, showcasing various themes such as “Kirin Frolic,” “Spring with Deer and Cranes,” “Tigers and Leopards Displaying Power,” and “Five Lions Playing with a Ball,” along with depictions of civil and military officials and the Eight Immortals. The ridge of the archway is adorned with three pairs of mythical fish, whose whiskers seem to ripple, adding to the unique and beautiful design. On the east and west sides of the archway are inscriptions of the phrases “荆藩首相 Prime Minister of Jing Province” and “胶州刺史 Governor of Jiaozhou” in large characters.

Zhuimu Hall was built in the 58th year of the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty (1794) by Hu Guansan, the 24th-generation descendant of the Hu family, to honor and commemorate his grandfather Bing Peigong and father Ying Haigong for their lives of literary pursuit, integrity, and philanthropy. The hall features an upturned eave roof with curving corners and a grand eight-character entrance gate. Outside the three-way door under the eaves, a wooden railing is installed, and the eight-character walls are made of polished Yixian marble. Inside the hall, there are portraits of Li Shiming’s meritorious officials and a statue of Li Shiming enshrined for worship.

Duyi Courtyard, also known as Zhenshi Xiaozhu, was built during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty (1821-1851). It was originally the residence of Hu Yuanxi, the youngest son of Hu Guansan, a third-rank Tongyi Daifu and one of the six wealthiest men in Jiangnan. Hu Yuanxi was also the son-in-law of Cao Zhenyong, a prime minister who served during the reigns of Qianlong, Jiaqing, and Daoguang. The courtyard’s entrance features a brick-built eight-character gate, with a brick-carved plaque inscribed with “紫气东来 Purple Clouds from the East.” Inside, the entry pavilion is adorned with a stone-carved door plaque in the shape of a scroll, bearing the characters “枕石小筑” (Resting on Stones Cottage). On either side of the pavilion are small, green-leaf-shaped doorways, each with a brick-carved door plaque inscribed with “Jade Vase” and “Spring Warbler,” respectively. The courtyard also contains a greenhouse where the owner once stored flowers and plants during the winter.

Jing’ai Hall was built in the 28th year of the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty (1600), covering an area of more than 1,800 square meters. The hall’s entrance is marked by an ornate gate with upturned eaves and curved corners. Inside, there is a large central hall for worship, with a spacious courtyard between the upper and lower sections. The hall is flanked by east and west side chambers, supported by lofty marble columns. The rear of the hall is a pavilion, with the lower level serving as an ancestral worship hall for the owner’s parents, while the upper level enshrines the ancestral tablets of previous generations. Originally, Jing’ai Hall was the ancestral hall of Shiheng, the 14th-generation ancestor of the Mingjin Hu family. His three sons, to demonstrate mutual respect and affection between brothers, transformed the ancestral hall into a shrine and named it “敬爱堂” (Hall of Respect and Affection).

Zouma Building, also known as Lingyun Pavilion, was built in the 52nd year of the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty (1787). It was hastily constructed by Hu Guansan, a 24th-generation descendant of the Mingjin Hu family and one of the six wealthiest men in Jiangnan, who held the official title of third-rank Tongyi Daifu. The building was specifically erected to welcome his in-law, Cao Zhenyong, a prominent prime minister who served during the reigns of Qianlong, Jiaqing, and Daoguang, and who hailed from Xiong Village in Shexian County. According to legend, the wealthy Hu family of Xidi built Zouma Building in a rush to receive Cao Zhenyong. The current Zouma Building has been restored according to the original layout and, along with the nearby ruins of the Seven Sages Ancestral Hall, forms a single scenic spot. The building is two stories high, with white walls and black tiles, featuring upturned eaves and curving corners. Today, Zouma Building hosts performances of Huangmei opera, traditional ball tossing, and tea ceremonies. Below the building is a single-arched stone bridge named Wugeng Ancient Bridge, over which the flowing waters of West Creek meander past, creating a picturesque scene.

Kuanggu Studio was built during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty. It is a private residence composed of a courtyard, garden, and multiple units. The gate tower is adorned with exquisite examples of the three traditional Huizhou carvings – wood, brick, and stone. The furnishings in the front hall are typical of ancient Huizhou style, with a large plaque inscribed with the characters “旷古斋 Kuanggu Studio” in clerical script hanging above the front panel wall. Below the plaque is a central painting flanked by two pairs of antique couplets, highlighting the theme of brotherly harmony and encouraging future generations to study diligently and achieve success.

Ruiyu Courtyard was built in the third year of the Xianfeng period of the Qing Dynasty (1853). The original owner was a Huizhou merchant, and the layout of the house reflects the theme of “commerce” to signify the owner’s status and aspirations. On the eaves of the courtyard entrance, there are ingot-shaped brick carvings on both sides, inscribed with the characters for “富贵 wealth and honor.” The right wall bears the four-character inscription “履道含和 Lü Dao Han He” (meaning to follow the path with harmony). The courtyard’s central area, with its open-air design, symbolizes the concept of “all water returns to the hall,” a traditional architectural theme. The beams around the courtyard are adorned with seasonal bird and flower carvings, while the corridors on either side of the hall feature carvings in the shape of the character “商” (commerce). The pillars in the hall are decorated with three couplets that promote “传家之道 the way of passing down the family legacy,” “修身之道 the way of self-cultivation,” and “经商之道 the way of doing business.” Additionally, the panel walls of the right wing room in the hall bear ancestral teachings and family management maxims.

West Garden was built in the fourth year of the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty (1824) and was originally the residence of Hu Wenzhao (styled Xingge), a fourth-rank official and prefect of Kaifeng in Henan Province. The main entrance features a brick-built, eight-character gate tower. The residential complex inside is composed of three units, each with three rooms, connected to form a unified structure. These units are separated into front, middle, and rear courtyards by intricate brick-carved lattice windows, which allow for visual connection while maintaining distinct spaces. On the walls flanking the main entrance to the second courtyard, there are stone-carved lattice windows, with the left one depicting “Pine and Rock” and the right one “Bamboo and Plum.” These carvings, known for their vivid designs and exquisite craftsmanship, are one of the three celebrated forms of carving (brick, stone, wood) in Xidi Village, with the stone carvings being particularly famous. Above the rear courtyard entrance are two stone-carved plaques inscribed with “种春圃 Spring Garden” and “井花香处 The Fragrance of Well Flowers.”

The courtyard architecture of West Garden uses lattice windows to create a sense of borrowed scenery and emotional resonance. Upon entering the garden, three buildings are lined up on the right, connected by a rectangular courtyard. The buildings are separated into front, middle, and rear sections by large brick-carved lattice windows and variously shaped doorways, creating distinct spaces. The garden features flowerbeds, rockeries, and a fish pond, adding to the scenic charm of the area.

East Garden was constructed in the second year of the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty (1724) and originally served as the ancestral home of Hu Wenzhao. It is currently the residence of the descendants of Hu Guansan. Above the entrance of East Garden is a fan-shaped stone window, symbolizing the homophone for “善” (virtue), reminding residents to aspire towards goodness. The left wall features a leaf-shaped stone lattice window, symbolizing the idea of returning to one’s roots. Opposite the entrance, there is an inscribed plaque named “百可园 Bai Ke Garden.” East Garden consists of three main halls: the main hall, front hall, and cool hall. The main hall, named Houguang Hall, was used for receiving distinguished guests. The front hall was for hosting relatives and close friends, while the cool hall served as both a study and a family schoolroom. On the wall of the courtyard, there is a calligraphic inscription by Chen Hongshou, one of the Eight Great Masters of the Xiling Society of Seal Arts from the Qing Dynasty, featuring the words “结自得趣 Contentment Brings Joy” in cursive script.

Dunren Hall was built at the end of the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty and served as the residence of Hu Yinghai and his son Hu Guansan, the 23rd and 24th generation ancestors of the Hu clan. The building has a five-bay, two-wing, two-story structure and is now inhabited by the direct descendants of Hu Guansan’s 30th generation. The hall features two interconnected bedrooms on each side, historically referred to as “Pearl Linked Rooms.” At the lower end of the hall, there is a large courtyard, commonly known as the “Mother Courtyard,” while each wing also has a small skylight-like courtyard, referred to as the “Child Courtyard.” This unique architectural feature sets Dunren Hall apart from other ancient residences in Xidi Village. In the 32nd year of the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (1906), Hu Guansan’s great-granddaughter-in-law, Madam Huang Xingxian, established the first girls’ school in Yi County, the Xidi Chongde Girls’ School, within this hall.

Built during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty in 1684, Lufu Hall is a distinguished ancient residence with a three-room, three-story structure oriented both front and back. This house was originally the ancestral home of Hu Jitang, a renowned calligrapher, painter, collector, and art connoisseur. Hu Jitang, also known as Qingsheng, was the grandson of Hu Guansan, one of the six wealthiest men in Jiangnan, who was bestowed the title of Tongyi Dafu, a third-rank official. Lufu Hall is a prime example of a scholarly residence in Xidi Village, with numerous couplets hanging in the hall that reflect the family’s values, such as “For hundreds of years, the family prospers by accumulating virtues; the best of all good deeds is simply reading books” and “Give way in all things, and heaven and earth are broad; cultivate the heart, and descendants will thrive.” In the rear hall, there is a wooden hanging fan with inscriptions: “清风徐来 Gentle breeze arises” on one side and “凌云 Soaring to the skies” on the other. In the courtyard of the rear hall, a large blue stone fish pond, over a meter high, was built for keeping fish, regulating humidity, and storing water for fire prevention.

Qingyun Pavilion, constructed during the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty, is a single-unit structure known as a study hall (or “side hall”). The entire layout is similar to a courtyard house, with the side hall situated in the center, a two-story structure flanked by single-story wings, all surrounding a small courtyard. The courtyard gate, which opens to an alley, has a gatehouse. In the courtyard, there is a fossilized half-shell of a sea clam, over a billion years old, on display. The full moon-shaped door frame of the side hall is made of Yixian blue stone, facing the courtyard garden, embodying the harmony of “flowers in bloom and a full moon.” In the center of the hall’s floor is a small round pit covered with a stone lid. In winter, lifting the lid allows warm air to circulate; in summer, cool air flows through. This underground passage was ingeniously designed by the architect to drain dirty water during the rainy season, leading it directly into the sewers, showcasing a unique and thoughtful design.

Yingfu Hall, constructed in the third year of the Kangxi period during the Qing Dynasty (1664), served as the residence of Hu Ruchuan, a high-ranking official who was honored with the title of Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. As the 25th-generation ancestor of the Hu family, Hu Ruchuan was bestowed the rank of second class. The hall features a grand, imposing gate with tall walls, eaves that curve upwards, square columns, and intricately carved brickwork, all of which indicate its status as an official’s residence. Inside the main gate, there is a secondary gate known as the “ceremonial gate,” which was opened only during significant family celebrations, such as weddings, or to welcome dignitaries of notable status. It is said that officials below the seventh rank could only enter and exit through the side gates flanking the ceremonial gate. The spacious and solemn main hall is designed in a courtyard layout, comprising an upper and lower hall, three rooms, and two side chambers connected by wooden carved flower-patterned doors. The eaves of the hall are supported by slanted columns carved into crouching lions, while the side rooms around the courtyard are connected by intricately carved wooden screens that link the upper and lower floors.

The Daifu Residence, built in the 30th year of the Kangxi period (1691), was the ancestral home of Hu Wenzhao, a fourth-rank official. Above the main entrance is a brick carving with the characters “大夫第 Daifu Residence,” signifying its importance. The main hall, known as “大雅堂” (Hall of Elegance), is surrounded by wooden screens intricately carved with plum blossom patterns, symbolizing the scholar’s perseverance through “十年寒窗,” a metaphor for diligent study. The upper floor, which encircles the courtyard, is adorned with a beautifully carved railing known as “Beauty’s Lean,” while the decorative brackets beneath the eaves are carved with crouching lions, a symbol of authority and power. The residence also includes two additional structures: Guifu Hall and Guan Jing Tower. Guifu Hall, built in the 10th year of the Daoguang period (1830), is a three-room, two-story building named for the fragrant osmanthus that fills the courtyard with its sweet scent. The spacious and well-lit hall is supported by two marble pillars, a rare feature among the hundreds of Ming and Qing dynasty residences in Xidi Village. Guan Jing Tower, also constructed during the Daoguang period, features eaves adorned with plaques bearing the inscriptions “山市 Mountain Market” and “桃花源里人家 Family in the Peach Blossom Land,” alluding to a utopian vision of life.

Hongcun Ancient Village – The Village from Chinese Painting

Huangshan Mountain – The Most Spectacular Mountain Under Heaven

Xin’an River Landscape Gallery – A Traditional Chinese Painting