Jiuwu

Have you ever heard of a village where nearly everyone shares the same last name? Here in Jiuwu Old Town, nestled northwest of Guilin City, you’ll find just such a place. Jiuwu, known for its ecotourism and historical tours, administers a village called Jiangtou, sometimes referred to as “Honest and Upright Official Village.” This village, over 800 years old, is a living museum of Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture. More than 180 houses, with 60% dating back to these dynasties, line the streets. Constructed with wooden walls, blue brick, and grey tiles, these homes whisper stories of generations past. Look closely, and you’ll see horizontal inscribed boards, some indicating family status, others bestowed by emperors themselves. Jiuwu Old Town’s Jiangtou village isn’t just a collection of old houses. It’s the ancestral home of the descendants of Zhou Dunyi, a renowned philosopher and writer of the Northern Song Dynasty. He’s considered the founder of Neo-Confucianism, a philosophy that deeply influenced Chinese culture. As you wander through the village, imagine Zhou Dunyi walking these same narrow lanes, contemplating the ideas that would shape generations to come. Buildings like the “Girl Building,” the “Boy’s Bed,” “Xiucai Street,” and “Juren Lane” offer glimpses into the village’s social structure and history. Each name holds a story, each brick a memory. Jiuwu Old Town and its Jiangtou village offer a journey through time. It’s a place where history isn’t just read in books, but lived in the very walls and streets around you.