Dingliwan Ancient Village in Xin County, Henan

Dingliwan Village was established during the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, reaching its peak prosperity during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty. At that time, it boasted over 10,000 dan of farmland (1 dan equals approximately 7 mu) and more than 600 houses, earning it the title of "Li Family Manor." By the time of Li Weiping's era, the manor was surrounded by a city wall stretching over 10 li, with four grand gates at each cardinal direction, housing over 800 residents. As the population grew, the village gradually expanded and remained well-preserved until the 1960s. Today, the village retains more than 300 ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Looking south from the northern shore of the large pond at the village's southern end, one can see five grand gatehouses lined up in a row, featuring blue bricks, white walls, and towering eaves. This architectural style shares similarities with many modern residences in nearby villages, but Dingliwan's structures are noticeably more elegant, refined, and visually striking.

The northern shore of the pond in front of the village forms an arc, with two pointed corners at the east and west, and the small hill further north creating a crescent shape, all centered toward the residential area. The architectural style of Dingliwan represents the traditional charm of southern Henan, with Huizhou-style eaves and intricate wooden carvings adorning the beams, door lintels, and window frames. These carvings depict figures, flowers, birds, and insects, remaining vivid and lifelike even after centuries, thanks to the high-quality wood used.

Stone and brick carvings are also abundant on various gatehouses, each featuring unique designs—some with dragons, others with phoenixes or peonies—all exquisitely crafted with different symbolic meanings. In the rear residences, brick, wood, and stone carvings in the shapes of flowers and animals, along with double eaves, stone steps, and pillar bases, create a serene and elegant atmosphere in the courtyard layout. Dingliwan is among the first batch of China's Traditional Villages.

Post by VictoriaMcDermott99 | Jul 29, 2025