What if these grey bricks and black roofs could talk? We are standing before Jiexia Village also known as Zhao Family Manor or \u63a5\u971e\u5e84. It is a historic treasure with over 200 years of history.
\u63a5\u971e\u5e84 means meeting sunglow. The village got its name from Xiashan Hill. Xia refers to sunglow in Chinese. This estate once housed the Zhao Clan. They were the most thriving family here. Zhao Weimao a royal descendant built the village. He made his fortune in traditional Chinese medicine.
Imagine this village in its prime. There were fourteen houses. They all shared the same grey brick and black roof design. Chongji Hall stood tall with its 1,000 square meters and 72 doors. Art and martial arts halls bustled with activity. Stables housed fine horses. Gardener lodges were neatly kept. The lotus pond spanned 880 square meters. A pavilion sat in the middle, next to a colored stone boat.
A zigzag stone bridge crossed the water. A bridle path stretched 13.2 meters long and 4.3 meters wide. A moat with dense acuate irons protected against attacks. It was initially built in the Song Dynasty. It was reconstructed just two years ago. This ingenious defense system reflects the Zhao family’s foresight.
As you wander through \u63a5\u971e\u5e84 today envision the vibrant life that once filled these walls. TV series have been filmed here. The village offers a satisfying environment for visitors. Recent renovations have made this place a charming place.
The village is surrounded by a protective moat. To enter the village we need to cross a drawbridge. The roads are paved with stone slabs. Many shops line the streets mostly restaurants tea shops and cafes. Some sell local products.
Originally the villagers were all named Zhao. Their ancestor was said to be Zhao Kuangmei. He was the younger brother of Emperor Taizu of Song. During the reign of Emperor Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty Zhao Weimao made his fortune. He found this place with good Feng Shui. He built houses and settled here. The village has over two hundred years of history.
Don’t miss the mud baked chicken a local delicacy. It’s wrapped in yellow mud and baked in an earth kiln. It tastes delicious. A wide pond sits at the entrance of the village. You can find a restaurant with seats by the water.
While time has weathered some of \u63a5\u971e\u5e84’s original features much remains to remind us of its past. As we leave \u63a5\u971e\u5e84 let’s carry with us the stories. Let’s carry with us the sunglow, and the echoes of a prosperous past.nn