Huizhou

Huizhou: Glimpse of history in its architectural glory

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• published: 25 Jun 2014
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The main content of this program: Huizhou is a historical and mountainous region in southeastern China, corresponding to the southernmost part of Anhui province. It is also well known for the scenic Huangshan mountains. Since the Ming dynasty, the merchants of Huizhou, collectively known in Chinese as Huishang were renowned for their economic prowess. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, they formed a formidable political force both regionally and nationally. Huizhou is famous for ancient streets and buildings, such as ancestral temple, memorial archway. Residential buildings in Huizhou attach importance to Fengshui and yinyang. With their wide distribution and unique designs, they are considered to be the finest of ancient Chinese residences. Most of them date from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and amount to thousands widely dispersed throughout the Anhui countryside. Unlike the tradition ones facing south, the houses here face north in accordance with the popular saying that 'Merchants' gates should not face south and tax collectors' gates not face north'. They are surrounded by green mountains and blue rivers and each one is connected by a board to the other. The interiors are a world of natural beauty, where rockeries, pools and flowers abound. The layout of them is very complicated and confusing like a labyrinth. The halls are constructed one after the other, each with a patio to collect the sunshine and to allow a refreshing breeze to pass through. The eaves have a two tier design, the lower being wider providing shelter like an umbrella. The cornice is toward to the inside, so that the rain can flow to a drain in the patio, and it is said that 'water from every direction merges into the hall' in accordance with the concept that 'Wealth should not flow outside'. The compound is surrounded by a high outer white wall, which can prevent the spread of fire. Upon entering the them, you'll find refined sculptures that are quite contrary to their outer simple and plain appearance. They contain what are referred to as the 'Three excellences of Huizhou', namely sculptures in wood, brick and stone. Almost all them have peculiar sculptures on their windows, gate and other furnishings. The carvings on the outer gates are extremely flamboyant, so as to show the wealth and status of the family.