Qiaoxiang Village in Meizhou
Qiaoxiang Village (侨乡村) is located in Nankou Town, Meixian District, Meizhou City (梅州市梅县区南口镇), at the foot of Luhushan Mountain (鹿湖山). With a history of over 500 years, it is renowned as a home for overseas Chinese and serves as a filming base for various movies. Notably, it houses the famous Nanhua Youlu (南华又庐), recognized as the “Museum of Hakka Round Houses.” This village holds one of the largest collections of well-preserved traditional Hakka residences and serves as a historical reflection of Meixian’s status as a “Cultural Homeland” and “Hometown of Overseas Chinese.” On December 25, 2019, Qiaoxiang Village was selected as one of the first National Forest Villages.
Introduction
Qiaoxiang Village, situated 12 kilometers from Meizhou City (梅城), is an ancient village with over 500 years of history and is well-known as a homeland for overseas Chinese. The village features picturesque ecological scenery and simple folk customs, with fields adorned with canola flowers and 31 exquisite, varied, and unique Hakka round houses, each over a hundred years old. Among these, Nanhua Youlu, with over a century of history, is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient residences in the Hakka region of Meizhou. It was designated as a provincial cultural heritage site in 2002. In 2006, Qiaoxiang Village was recognized as a professional self-driving tourism village. On May 3, 2012, it was named a “Traditional Hakka Residence” under the “Chinese Ancient Villages” initiative and is celebrated as “China’s Most Typical Hakka Round House Ancient Village.” The village has also attracted attention from the film industry, having been the filming location for movies such as “The Red Detachment of Women” (红色娘子军) and “Filial Daughter Caijin” (孝女彩金).
Qiaoxiang Village consists of three natural villages: Shiqian, Gaotian, and Tangdu. Due to its large overseas Chinese population, it is famously known as a homeland for overseas Chinese. The village covers a total area of 1.5 square kilometers and has over 3,100 residents, with more than 4,000 overseas Chinese and compatriots from Hong Kong and Macau. The majority of the villagers carry the surname Pan (潘). The village is known for its unique culture formed by the interaction of local Hakka traditions and the experiences of its overseas Chinese population.
Qiaoxiang Village is often referred to as a natural museum of Hakka ancient residences, preserving 116 traditional buildings, including 38 well-maintained and large round houses. Notable examples include Nanhua Youlu, Dexingtang (德馨堂), Chengdetang (承德堂), and Yicheng Public School (毅成公家塾). Nanhua Youlu is listed as a provincial cultural protection unit, while Dexingtang and Lanxingtang (兰馨堂) are classified as municipal heritage sites. The village has also served as the filming location for the TV series “The Red Detachment of Women” and the movie “Filial Daughter Caijin.” Additionally, Qiaoxiang Village features facilities such as a community activity center for the elderly, a community health clinic, a community library (farmhouse library), and a cultural activity square, greatly facilitating communication between the overseas Chinese community and local residents.
Architectural Features
Qiaoxiang Village boasts a remarkable collection of 116 well-preserved traditional buildings, including 38 large and well-maintained round houses. Notable examples include Nanhua Youlu, Dexingtang, Chengdetang, and Yicheng Public School. The village has earned the reputation of “China’s Most Typical Round House Ancient Village” and the “Museum of Hakka Architecture.”
The round houses in Qiaoxiang Village can be categorized into three construction periods. The early phase is represented by ancestral houses from the Ming Dynasty during the Jiajing reign, such as Lao Zu House (老祖屋), Lanxingtang, and Pinyi Public School (品一公祠). These round houses, designed for large Hakka families, are characterized by spacious layouts but often have narrow ancestral halls and low ceilings, making them appear crowded. The transitional period is represented by the Shangxin House (上新屋) from the mid-Qing Dynasty, while the later period showcases the “Nanhua Building” and other overseas Chinese residences from the late Qing Dynasty. Many residents sought livelihoods abroad, leading to a tradition of overseas Chinese returning to their hometowns to build large houses upon achieving success.
The architectural styles of the ancient round houses vary, with the existing structures including horizontal hall-style designs, “Nine Halls and Eighteen Wells,” and various forms of layouts. Notably, Nanhua Youlu is famed for its distinctive architectural features. The layout consists of a central hall and horizontal rooms, forming a rectangular courtyard. The front yard includes a rice drying area and a pond, which also serves as a fire prevention feature. Examples of such round houses include Dexingtang, Nanhua Youlu, and Chengdetang.
Dexingtang was founded in 1905 by overseas Chinese Pan Lizhai (潘立斋) and was completed in 1917. This building features a dual-hall and four-horizontal structure, encompassing an area of 7,500 square meters with 66 rooms. Its ingenious design includes a zigzag drainage system that filters debris, preventing blockages.
Nanhua Youlu was established in 1904 by the prominent overseas Chinese Pan Xiangchu (潘祥初) and is one of the largest Hakka residences in Meixian District, covering over 10,000 square meters with 118 rooms. It is characterized by its unique appearance and grand scale.
Yicheng Public School, informally known as Lao Xue (老校), was founded in 1920 by Pan Lizhai and Pan Xiangchu. Originally designed as a school, it has evolved into a significant educational institution. The school features ancient ginkgo trees that have stood for over a century.
Qiaoxiang Village not only preserves traditional Chinese cultural characteristics and Hakka architectural art but also enriches and develops Hakka architectural styles, earning it the status of a museum of ancient Hakka residences.
Tourism Scenery
As the first ancient village of the Hakka world, Qiaoxiang Village is an old, beautiful, and unspoiled settlement. Surrounded by mountains, the village boasts lush greenery, and a gentle stream meanders around the traditional Hakka round houses, each a testament to the rich history of its inhabitants.
Upon entering the village, visitors are greeted by the imposing “Ten Halls and Nine Wells,” a square round house that stands tall, emitting wisps of smoke from its chimney, resembling an elder with a pipe sharing the profound history of the Hakka people, full of nostalgia.
Entering through the ancient, heavy door, one finds themselves in Nanhua Youlu, the largest Hakka round house in Meixian District. With its rectangular shape and protective walls, it sits beside a gentle stream. Spanning over 10,000 square meters, this residence contains 118 rooms organized into upper, middle, and lower halls, each adorned with hanging red lanterns.
To the right of the village lies the century-old Yicheng Public School, a testament to the Hakka people’s dedication to education. Built on a hillside, the school’s design elegantly integrates with the terrain, featuring a garden that enhances its beauty. The school once nurtured many scholars, including prominent overseas Chinese entrepreneurs and scholars.
Honors
On December 25, 2019, Qiaoxiang Village was selected as one of the first National Forest Villages.
