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'First Folk Residence in Cathay'
The mansions of the family are rather luxurious, as the
family paid little attention to the production cost. In the Kangxi Reign of the
Qing Dynasty, the Wangs built the first two lanes named Yongcui and Suorui for
their mansions in Jingsheng. In the Qianlong Reign, the Zhongling lane was
built, and the Hongmen, Gongji, and Dongnan fortresses were also built to form a
dwelling area for the Wangs. During the Yongzheng
Reign, the Chongning Fortress was built. Two Wang members, Wang Rucong and Wang
Rucheng, built the Gaojiaya dwelling area, the last construction cluster.
Gaojiaya began to be built in 1796 and finished in 1811. After 16 years, the
whole construction covered 11,728 square meters with 26 courtyards and 218
rooms. The features of the mansion are as follows:
First, the whole construction faces the river, away from the mountain. The
buildings were established upon the fully advantages of the landscape of the
hills, which makes the whole compound appear scattered in a graceful manner.
Layers of gardens on different heights of the hill give the compound more levels
and the hill more vibrancy and glamour.
Second, the compound walls of are very tall, and there are four gates on four
circles of walls that enclose the buildings on different layers. This style
inherited the construction mode of the Western Zhou
Dynasty (11th century-771BC) that employs halls in the front and rooms in
the rear part, as well as many rows of houses. There are a multiple of spaces,
which strengthens safety.
The main body of each building strictly follows feudal rules about the
construction styles of different ranks, reflecting the class differences in the
feudal society as well as the notions and thoughts of the scholar-officials.
The third feature is the magnificence and the complete functions of the
compound. The main body of the construction is symmetrical in its layout. Inside
one courtyard, there always seems to be another; behind one door, there always seems to be another door. Rooms, pavilions,
studies, gardens, and kitchens are all stationed in the places that are most
suitable to them.
Stone carvings, brick carvings, and woodcarvings have various themes and rich
content. Known for their exquisite skills, the carvings incorporate folk customs
and folk arts, and best represent the "fine and dense" artistic style of the
Qing Dynasty. Many experts and scholars think that the place is suitable for
traveling, dwelling, and just plain appreciating.
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