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I found myself surrounded by the white-walled and black-tiled houses of Likeng village. This small village is only a few milesnortheast of Wuyuan, which in recent years has attractedattentions from both Chinese and international media and gainedthe reputation of having“The Most Beautiful Countryside in China.”
Likeng is the most famous hamlet in Wuyuan County. It is an oldtown with crisscrossing flagstone lanes and sparkling clean canals,set against a picturesque green landscape of tealeaves and rape fields.Likeng is a“living museum.”
The local people have preserved many traditional customs, such aseating in the doorway or along the narrow lanes and their traditionof hospitality towards strangers. Other than a few groups of touristsstrolling through the alleys and the occasional murmured sound of atelevision set coming from deep within a house, there is no evidence ofthe 21st century modern life.
Likeng is also famous for its large numbers of residents who eitherbecame influential scholars or powerful government officials during theMing and Qing dynasties. A total of 36 officials and 92 scholars emergedfrom this village during those times! So these ancient buildings ofwhite washed walls, black tiles, square courtyards, upturned eavesand exquisitely carved woodwork, arehome to the many interesting stories oftheir previous owners. Hidden withinthe paintings and carvings are numeroustraditional auspicious symbols andtalismans, as well as images from Chinesefolklore. For example, the leaf-shapedwindow carved into the wall symbolizesreturning to the origin or a leaf fallingdown and returning to its root. Thisrepresents the desire of ancient officials toreturn home after their retirement to enjoya peaceful life.
Likeng is the most famous hamlet in Wuyuan County. It is an oldtown with crisscrossing flagstone lanes and sparkling clean canals,set against a picturesque green landscape of tealeaves and rape fields.Likeng is a“living museum.”
The local people have preserved many traditional customs, such aseating in the doorway or along the narrow lanes and their traditionof hospitality towards strangers. Other than a few groups of touristsstrolling through the alleys and the occasional murmured sound of atelevision set coming from deep within a house, there is no evidence ofthe 21st century modern life.
Likeng is also famous for its large numbers of residents who eitherbecame influential scholars or powerful government officials during theMing and Qing dynasties. A total of 36 officials and 92 scholars emergedfrom this village during those times! So these ancient buildings ofwhite washed walls, black tiles, square courtyards, upturned eavesand exquisitely carved woodwork, arehome to the many interesting stories oftheir previous owners. Hidden withinthe paintings and carvings are numeroustraditional auspicious symbols andtalismans, as well as images from Chinesefolklore. For example, the leaf-shapedwindow carved into the wall symbolizesreturning to the origin or a leaf fallingdown and returning to its root. Thisrepresents the desire of ancient officials toreturn home after their retirement to enjoya peaceful life.