Taiji Lake Village (太极湖村) is a historic cultural village located in Anhui Province, approximately 15 kilometers from Jixi County and about 3 kilometers from Longchuan Scenic Area. This ancient village, with a history of over 800 years, is characterized by its unique Taiji feng shui layout and is traversed by the winding Yuanshui River, which forms an “S” shape as it flows through the village.
The village retains many historical features, including Ming Dynasty Yinquan Street, ancient trees that have stood for a millennium, old bridges, and over a hundred ancient residences and ancestral halls. Nestled against the mountains, Taiji Lake Village unfolds like a three-dimensional landscape painting, serving as a museum of Huizhou architecture.
Among its notable features are three natural water springs, a Feng Shui-rich imperial tomb, the intriguing Pill Stone, the local specialty of Qiuqian Taige, and exquisite Huizhou brick carvings on the gatehouses, collectively referred to as the “Five Wonders.” These elements are living relics of ancient Huizhou culture.
On the map of Taiji Lake Village, a circle drawn around it reveals the curving waters of the Yuanshui River, resembling a mystical “Taiji” curve that divides the village into residential and agricultural areas. If we were to place “Yin Yang Fish” eyes on these distinct land sections, it would create a vivid portrayal of a folk “Yin Yang Fish Taiji Diagram.”
Visitor Guide for Taiji Lake Village
Tickets and Opening Hours
Admission Fee: 45 yuan
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Access to Taiji Lake Village
Location: Taiji Lake Village, Jixi County, Xuancheng City, about 5 kilometers northeast of Longchuan.
Transportation:
- Bus: Direct buses are available from Longchuan Station (approximately every 20 minutes).
- Minibus: From Jixi Station, take a minibus to Fuling or Hujia (also approximately every 20 minutes). Get off at Shimenwai and walk left for 500 meters, or take the 9:30 minibus directly to Shimen.
Attraction Ratings
- Cultural Significance: ★★★
- Special Features: ★★★
- Leisure Activities: ★★★★
- Scenic Beauty: ★★★★
- Romantic Atmosphere: ★★★★
- Adventure: ★
Highlights of Taiji Lake Village
Zhang Clan Ancestral Hall
Zhang Clan Ancestral Hall is a majestic and imposing structure located at the western end of Taiji Lake Village. This ancestral hall is a significant cultural site, housing a complete collection of the Zhang family’s genealogy, ancient teachings, ancestral portraits, and memorial tablets, which reflect the fundamental principles of the Huizhou patriarchal system.
At the entrance of the hall, a strikingly colorful mural of auspicious beasts decorates the wall, showcasing traditional artistry. Inside the hall, visitors can find a Ming Dynasty dragon incense pavilion, where six elegantly carved dragons spiral around the columns, symbolizing the pinnacle of Huizhou wood carving. This exquisite craftsmanship makes the pavilion a standout example of the region’s artistic heritage.
Yinquan Street
Yinquan Street is a charming and historic water street in Taiji Lake Village, dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Stretching over 300 meters, the street is fed by crystal-clear water from Shijin Mountain, which flows through the village and into the Shimen River. The stream runs year-round, producing a melodious sound reminiscent of a stringed instrument, especially during the spring when the water level rises without flooding the street. This harmonious sound is the origin of its name, Yinquan, meaning “Melodious Spring.”
Yinquan Street intersects with two main streets, forming a “T” shape. The entire street is paved with smooth bluestone slabs and features two stone bridges, known as the Big and Small Stone Bridges. Along the banks of the stream, over a hundred traditional Huizhou-style buildings with white walls and black-tiled roofs line the streets, including residences, shops, pharmacies, and oil mills, mostly from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. These ancient structures, with their elegant simplicity and organized layout, create a picturesque scene. Stone steps lead down to the river, allowing villagers to wash clothes and connect with the flowing water, adding to the street’s rustic charm.
Exquisite Brick Carvings
Taiji Lake Village is renowned for its exquisite brick carvings, often hailed as the finest in Huizhou. Each piece of brick sculpture is a rare treasure, showcasing a unique and romantic beauty through its extraordinary transformations. The village boasts a large number of brick carvings, covering extensive areas and featuring diverse architectural styles, including scroll-like, city tower-like, and hanging flower pillar designs.
The craftsmanship involved in these sculptures is remarkable, incorporating various techniques such as openwork, round carving, relief, and intaglio, all of which contribute to a strong three-dimensionality and textural effect. The content of the carvings is rich and vivid, with carefully balanced compositions that emphasize their themes.
The brick carvings in Taiji Lake Village date back over 300 years, spanning from the early Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China, and provide a precise and objective reflection of the village’s social conditions, political status, economic strength, and the aesthetic preferences of its inhabitants during those periods. As a result, Taiji Lake Village is celebrated as the “First Village of Chinese Archways,” making it a significant historical and cultural site.