Hongshang Ancient Village, Yangcheng, Shanxi

Hongshang Village had a relatively developed economy and culture during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Fan family began constructing the Fan Family Thirteen Courtyards during the Qianlong period of the Qing dynasty. As an important part of the Taihang Ancient Fortress Group, its historic buildings are included in the living heritage protection system of Jincheng City.

The existing Fan Family Thirteen Courtyards complex in Hongshang Village was first built during the Qianlong period of the Qing dynasty, covering a total area of 30,000 square meters and containing 290 rooms. The complex is laid out in a fortress style, surrounded by 8-meter-high walls, with the main north-south alley and auxiliary east-west alleys running through it. Important courtyards include: Chessboard Courtyard, built in the 47th year of Qianlong (1782), separated into front and back courtyards by screen walls; Gongdi Courtyard, completed in the 25th year of Daoguang (1845), with floors decorated with blue bricks and pebble mosaics; Old Study Courtyard, completed in the 23rd year of Jiaqing (1818), which was once used as a private school by the Fan family. The village also has the Tangdi Temple, which retains more than ten steles, though the building is now dilapidated. The ancient fortress buildings in this village reflect the typical characteristics of rural defense combined with the farming and scholarly culture of the Ming and Qing periods. It is listed as part of the fifth batch of China's traditional villages.

Post by VictoriaMcDermott99 | Oct 18, 2025