Tangyue Ancient Village (棠樾古村) is a renowned historical village in southern Anhui, famous for its impressive archway group. The Tangyue Archway Group is not only known for the captivating stories behind it but also stands as a remarkable representation of architectural art from the Ming and Qing dynasties, showcasing a harmonious design style.
Unlike the typical wooden structures commonly found in traditional architecture, the archways of Tangyue are primarily constructed from high-quality “Shexian green” stone, giving them an imposing and magnificent appearance. This choice of material contributes to the grandeur and elegance of the structures.
Tangyue is the ancestral home of the Bao family, who have made their living through trade over the generations. Adjacent to the archway group is the Bao Family Garden, a private garden built by the Bao merchants. This garden seamlessly integrates with the archway area, enhancing the overall experience and creating a picturesque representation of the Huizhou merchant culture.
Travel Information about Tangyue Ancient Village
Ticket and Opening Hours
Ticket Price: A combined ticket for the Tangyue Ancient Village and the Bao Family Garden is 100 yuan.
Opening Hours: The site is open from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
Access to the Scenic Area
Location: Tangyue Ancient Village is situated in Kuang County, near Zhengcun Town, approximately 600 meters west of the county center.
Public Transportation: You can take bus number 2 from the county center to reach the village.
Scenic Ratings
- Cultural Experience: ★★★
- Unique Features: ★★★
- Leisure: ★★★
- Scenic Beauty: ★★★
- Romance: ★★
- Adventure: ★★
Highlights of Tangyue Ancient Village
The Tangyue Ancient Village is renowned for its impressive group of archways, consisting of seven structures that form a graceful ensemble. Among these, three date back to the Ming Dynasty, while four are from the Qing Dynasty. This collection is one of the most famous examples of archways in southern Anhui, characterized by its ancient elegance.
The seven archways are arranged around the “Righteousness” archway, following the themes of loyalty, filial piety, integrity, and righteousness. Each archway is associated with a poignant story from history.
Ming Dynasty Archways:
The Ming Dynasty archways include Bao Can’s Filial Piety Archway, constructed during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty. This archway features a scroll pattern on its ridge, supported by four columns across three bays. The columns are raised on a higher platform, and the central board of the arch is intricately carved with detailed patterns. Each horizontal beam features three sets of dougong brackets, adorned with high-relief carvings of lions playing with balls and ribbons. Additionally, there is the Ci Xiao Li Archway and Bao Xiang Xian Shushi Archway, which celebrate the virtues of filial piety and scholarship.
Qing Dynasty archways:
The Qing Dynasty archways include the Jiang Clan’s Filial Piety Archway, erected in honor of Bao Wenling’s wife, showcasing the high regard for virtue and fidelity. The Charitable Acts Archway celebrates benevolence and good deeds, while the Wu Clan’s Filial Piety Archway honors Bao Wenyuan’s second wife, emphasizing loyalty and virtue. Lastly, Bao Fengchang’s Filial Son Archway pays tribute to the filial conduct of Bao Fengchang.
All four Qing archways are built in the soaring pillar style, featuring similar structures but more elaborate carvings compared to their Ming counterparts. The decorations depict vibrant flowers, fish, lifelike lions, cranes, and auspicious symbols like peonies and clouds. The latest of these, the Charitable Acts Archway, showcases meticulously carved patterns on its beam and pillars, presenting a robust structure complemented by exquisite detailing that enhances its majestic presence.
Dunben Hall (Male Ancestral Hall)
Dunben Hall, also known as the Bao Clan Ancestral Hall or the “Male Ancestral Hall,” is an important cultural site of the Bao family. It was originally established in the late Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty (1561) and underwent significant renovations in the sixth year of the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty (1801). The hall faces south and is built in a traditional brick and wood structure, featuring three courtyards and five bays, with a distinctive five-phoenix-style entrance.
In front of the main entrance, there is a stone platform adorned with hexagonal flagpoles, and several stone steps lead up to the hall, all paved with blue stone slabs. The walls on either side of the entrance are elegantly shaped like an “八” (the character for “eight”) and are richly decorated with intricate brick carvings.
The architectural design of Dunben Hall is simple yet exquisite, showcasing a reasonable layout and a grand, imposing presence that reflects the distinctive characteristics of ancient Huizhou architecture. After extensive restoration, the hall features artistic displays illustrating the life and commercial success of the affluent Bao Zhid Dao, effectively highlighting the historical evolution and fortunes of Huizhou merchants. Visitors can explore these scenes, gaining insights into the rise and fall of this influential family and their contributions to the region’s cultural heritage.
Qingyi Hall (Female Ancestral Hall)
Qingyi Hall, located at the western end of Tangyue Village, is a female ancestral hall built during the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty. It is adjacent to the Tangyue Archway Group and symbolizes “pure conduct and virtuous character.” The hall features a graceful design and compact structure, exuding a sense of ancient elegance and dignity. The intricate carvings throughout the hall, especially on the 八字 (character for “eight”) walls outside the entrance, are celebrated for their exquisite brickwork, showcasing a vibrant array of colors and patterns. It is often regarded as the finest example of Huizhou brick carving in ancestral halls.
Facing north, Qingyi Hall is situated directly opposite the Male Ancestral Hall. Its layout is based on the principles of the “I Ching,” reflecting the yin and yang philosophy of “male in heaven and female in earth.” Historically, in a society that favored males, women were generally excluded from ancestral halls unless they faced punishment for violating clan rules. They were not listed in the family genealogy and did not have memorial tablets in the hall. In fact, during sacrificial ceremonies, women were often barred from even entering the main gate.
However, Bao Qiyun, a salt merchant from the Bao family of Tangyue, challenged this traditional viewpoint. He invested all his savings to build this female ancestral hall, honoring maternal love and virtues by placing memorial tablets for Bao women, acknowledging their sacrifices and contributions to the success of Huizhou merchants. In Qingyi Hall, women can not only enter and participate in worship but also discuss matters of significance related to their community. This hall stands out as a rare historical example of a dedicated space for female ancestors, reflecting a progressive attitude towards women’s roles in heritage and familial honor.
Bao Family Garden
Bao Family Garden, originally a private garden of the famous Huizhou merchant and salt official Bao Qiyun during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong and Jiaqing periods, represents a quintessential blend of ancient Huizhou garden design and Huizhou bonsai artistry. Renowned for its beauty, it stands alongside notable gardens such as the Suzhou Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lingering Garden, Lion Grove Garden, and the Liyuan and Meiyuan in Wuxi.
However, the garden was destroyed during the late Qing Dynasty amidst the Taiping Rebellion. After extensive restoration and reconstruction, it has now become the largest private garden and bonsai exhibition site in China. The garden features intricate landscaping, tranquil water features, and an array of carefully curated bonsai, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage and aesthetic beauty of traditional Chinese gardening.
Visitor Guide for Tangyue Ancient Village
Accommodation Options
When visiting Tangyue Ancient Village, accommodation options abound. You can opt to stay in local farmhouse inns, where you can experience the unique customs and lifestyle of the area. For a more upscale experience, the Bao Family Garden Hotel (鲍家花园大酒店) is located within the garden and is conveniently close to the archway group.
Alternatively, you can take a local minibus to Huangshan City, particularly the Tunxi area (屯溪), where the accommodations tend to be of higher quality. In the evening, you can also explore the vibrant Tunxi Old Street (屯溪老街), which offers a blend of local culture and shopping opportunities.
Local Delicacies
When exploring Tangyue Ancient Village, you must try the local delicacies. One standout treat is frozen rice candy (冻米糖), made primarily from glutinous rice, pure tea oil, and white sugar. Enhanced with transparent syrup, fragrant osmanthus flowers, and red grapefruit strands, this candy boasts a delightful combination of fragrance, sweetness, crunchiness, and crispness. Its square shape is neat and clean, with a bright white appearance and evenly distributed red grapefruit strands. The candy is cut into small pieces, offering a crispy texture that melts in your mouth without leaving any residue, making it a delightful snack that’s not sticky or bothersome to your teeth, leaving a lasting impression.
Another local specialty is Huizhou rice cake (徽州菜糕), which is mainly made from glutinous rice flour and fermented rice. To prepare this dish, glutinous rice flour is placed in a wooden basin, where a suitable amount of water and a little fermented rice are added. The mixture is stirred into a sticky consistency and left to ferment before being steamed in a pot. Once the pot emits its unique aroma, the rice cake is ready. The Huizhou rice cake is fragrant, soft, and delicious, with a distinct flavor that captures the essence of local cuisine.