Free Entry: This Hidden Gem of a Qing Dynasty Village is a Must-Visit!

Known as the "No. 1 Village in Guangdong," this village was built by order of Empress Dowager Cixi. It took 20 years to complete and is now open to the public for free. This hidden gem of a Qing Dynasty village is a must-visit! Daqitou Village is located in Sanshui District, Foshan, Guangdong Province. It was first built in the Ming Dynasty and took its current form in the Qing Dynasty. In the late 19th century, Zheng Shaozhong, the then Admiral of the Qing Dynasty, returned home to mourn his mother. Empress Dowager Cixi heard that Zheng Shaozhong had no decent residence in his hometown, so she ordered the national treasury to allocate funds to build a private residence in Daqitou Village, Sanshui, Foshan. The wok-handle houses in the village were built during this time. It took 20 years to complete the construction, which is magnificent and is a rare large-scale mansion-style building complex in Guangdong. It was rated as the "No. 1 Village in Guangdong" by the Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture! ⛳️Address: Daqitou Ancient Village, Sanshui District, Foshan, Guangdong Province 📍Navigation: Daqitou Ancient Village, with many free parking spaces at the entrance ✅Wok-handle Houses The wok-handle houses are built with great care. It is said that only officials who have achieved fame can build wok-handle houses. In addition to glorifying the family, this type of building also has the connotation of encouraging future generations to study and become officials. ✅"Four Treasures of the Study" Landscape The landscape has profound meaning. Next to two ancient banyan trees at the entrance of the village stands a pen-shaped ancient tower, the Wen Tower. Together with the pond, stone square, and drying yard in front of the village, they form the "Four Treasures of the Study" cultural landscape, symbolizing the hope that future generations will "study and become officials." ✅Famous People Daqitou Village has produced many famous people throughout history, such as Zheng Shaozhong, Admiral of the Guangdong Navy, Zheng Runqi, a general of the Guangdong Army, Zheng Shaohang, a martyr in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Vietnam, and Zheng Zhian, a second-class combat hero. ✅Cultural Heritage The village retains historical buildings such as the Zheng Ancestral Hall and family temples, as well as cultural landscapes such as the Wen Tower, drying yard, square, and pond. These buildings and landscapes not only have ornamental value but also carry rich historical and cultural information, making them an important window for understanding and studying the history and culture of the Lingnan region. ✍️Tips 1. The ancient village is not commercialized, making it suitable for walking and photography. 2. Some houses have collapsed roofs due to age, so do not enter.