Guanlu Ancient Village - Wonderful Ancient Residence in Siamese

Guanlu means official road in Chinese, because the village was located on the ancient post road from Yixian County to Qimen, Anqing, Jiangxi and surrounding regions. Tracing back from the Wang Family Genealogy, the village was first built during the Five Dynasty (907AD - 960 AD) by the descent of Wang Family of Tang Dynasty. Then it has stood with a long history of 1000 years and developed as the residence mainly for Wang Family. Then Guanlu remains unknown from Tang to Mid-Qing Dynasty (1636 AD - 1912 AD), until eight brothers of Wang Zhaoxue became successful merchants, perpetuate the village through promption of Confucianism and cultivation of various talents. The typical layout of the Eight Big Houses, exquisite carvings and perfect location make Guanlu one of China’s historical and cultural village in south Anhui.

The “Eight Family Houses”, built during Mid-Qing Dynasty (1644-1911AD) with more than 200 years’ history, is the most famous and characteristic architecture in Guanlu. Covering an area of 6,000 square meters, the houses were residence for eight brothers of Wang Family. Each brother constructed one individual house in different period. The interesting and ingenious point is all eight houses (actually have 16 buildings, 2 quadrangle dwellings, 1 private school hall and 1 study) are integrated in one big unity through trapdoors or narrow alleyways. The jointed family and unique settlement is the first case of this kind, in Huangshan City, even in South Anhui. Inside the maze-like buildings, the delicate wooden carvings, elegant layout, beautiful Chinese ink paintings and strong sense of cultural atmosphere, all details tell every visitor the former owners have a high taste of life and affluence in business.

Why connects the eight houses together?

Some guess the expression of such design is to practice thriftiness among Huizhou merchants. Another saying is that, during feudal times, the elders intended to parent and discipline the juniors without leaving home. In any case, the “Eight Big Houses” is a peculiar cultural legacy originating from the harmony of human and nature.

What are the “Eight Big Houses”?

Generally, guides start from Dunmu Courtyard (敦睦庭), which was built by the 6th son during Tongzhi Emperor of Qing Dynasty, dating back more than 140 years. Later you will rest houses one by one, including the Yanxi Courtyard (延禧庭), House of Wang Deyuan (汪德沅宅, the largest and the most completely preserved house), Rui Ai Courtyard (瑞霭庭, has the most exquisite Shuanggui Book Room and Dafu Di Hall), Chun Man Courtyard (春满庭, the oldest and ancestral house with over 240 years’ history), Jiusi Courtyard (九思厅), Danyueshan House (淡月山房) and etc.

What to see in the “Eight Family Houses”?

The most attractive part is the magic flexible and complicated connection between each house. For example, get out from the kitchen of Dunmu Courtyard (敦睦庭), and pass a long narrow path, walk across a small wooden door, you will arrive in Yanxi Courtyard (延禧庭). Besides, the compound quadrangle courtyard, arrangement of furniture and decorations and different functional areas like private school, study room, reception hall, living room, bridges a good channel to learn the past of previous owners and native history and culture of ancient Huizhou. Be sure to look the lifelike carvings on the door, window, beam and walls.

Rice Sculpture (米塑), Tile Carving (砖雕) and Wood on Seafloor (海底木) are another three local skills equal famous with the jointed houses in Guanlu Village. The Guanlu Rice Sculpture has been listed as an intangible cultural heritage of Huangshan City, an exclusive art spread in the Village.

Rice Sculpture is a piled rice bonsai. There is popular legend about it. To appreciate the business success, the merchants created the special figurines as extraordinary sacrifices and gift to ancestors and gods. And the art is only allowed to pass down to son and daughter-in-law, even not the daughters. After picking up good rice and boiling glue of sticky rice, the craftsman will use the glue to stick the rice on model. Finally, the articles are made into various things, like fruit, teacups, vases, Rohans and else shapes, to be offered in worship ceremony. In the first stop, Dunmu Courtyard (敦睦庭) keeps a an old photo recording the last heirs making Rice Sculpture with his father. Now the art is endangered, just a few old citizens master the relevant skill.

Tile Carving is an important form of ancient architecture engravement. It carves the brick with visual mountains, rivers, flowers and human figures, presents the good wishes and moral and cultural pursuing of the host. The most boutique Tile Carving is on the seven-story door shelters of House of Wang Deyuan (汪德沅宅).

On the 1st layer, the pattern of pumpkin and butterfly means continuous flourishing of descendants. The second floor has the images of Eight Immortals, hope the offspring get great achievement in all fields. The lower three floors are tassels, peony, Bat (蝙蝠, Bianfu) on behalf of fortune. The last two tiers are trident in a small vase, human images and decorated flying dragon. Work on second floor praised to the most beautiful and elegant art. Though the pavilions, flowers, and figures stand on same plane, they naturally form a “3D” scene with distinct layers. Wood on Seafloor is a 2-meters-long, 1-meter-wide ancient bed flat. That said, the flat is a century-old furniture made of the very valuable exquisite wood.

Useful Links:

>> Huizhou Culture / Huizhou Architecture

● Huangshan City to Guanlu: First, take 1.5 hours’ bus from Huangshan Bus Station (in Tunxi) to Yixian County with a driving distance of 54km. And take a regular bus or taxi from Yixian County Bus Station to Guanlu. The second trip takes about 20~30 minutes.

>> How to Get to Huangshan

● Huangshan Mountain to Guanlu: After finishing your Huangshan hiking tour, get on the shuttle bus from cable car station to Tangkou Bus Station downhill. Then choose from 4 daily buses departing from Tourist Distribution Center (in Tangkou) to Yixian County. The ride takes less than 1.5 hours. Another transfer from Yixian County to Guanlu is needed.

>> How to Get to Yellow Mountain

● Hongcun to Guanlu: Guanlu is located 18km southeast of Hongcun Ancient Village. It takes about half an hour’s driving to Guanlu from Hongcun.

● Xidi to Guanlu Village: Xidi lies in the 15km east of Xidi Ancient Village. It takes about 25 minutes on traveling from Xidi to Guanlu, passing through Yixian County and Nanping Village.

Drive about 10 minutes eastward, nearly 5km, the large Nanping Village (南屏村) would reveal the deep-rooted clan culture and mysterious ancient ancestral halls of Confucianism to you. Halfway through the ride, you may drop by Shouzhuo Park (守拙园), see historical relics in former residence of Tao Yuanming (a great recluse poet in China) and vivid farming and basic life scenes described in the poetries of this hermit. Head northeast for 20 minutes, the open and free Bishan Village (碧山村) certainly fulfills your idyllic dream tour through its tranquil, beautiful and pristine rural scenery. What leisure it is when cycling along countryside roads embraced by golden fields undisturbed. Top 8 Most Beautiful Ancient Villages in Huangshan >>

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>> 4 Days Huangshan Mountain and Local Village Walking Tour

Guanlu Village and Huangshan City belongs to the northern subtropical regions, which has a humid monsoon climate. It is mainly featured in moderate temperature, abundant rainfall, and obvious four seasons. The annual average temperature is 15～16℃. Since Guanlu Village is a historical and cultural spot, it’s suitable to visit all year around. In spring, the old village decorated by golden rape flowers and green crops is an enchanting painting. During autumn, the golden rice field turns Guanlu a quiet and beautiful village. If you want a colorful sightseeing including natural scenery and ancient architectures in Guanlu Village, Spring and Autumn are the best seasons. During that period of time, the weather is most pleasant and comfortable. Otherwise, you can visit Guanlu anytime available.