Tonglu’s largest ancient village has a unique water system that is similar to Hongcun and can be called “the first village in the Southern Song Dynasty”

Speaking of ancient villages with profound cultural deposits, distinctive architectural features, and top-quality scenery, I am afraid that the first thing many people think of are ancient villages in southern Anhui, among which the most representative Hongcun and Xidi are listed. Included in the World Cultural Heritage List. In fact, in addition to the ancient villages in southern Anhui, there is also an ancient village in the south of the Yangtze River in Tonglu, Zhejiang. It is a complex of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. It consists of five unique ancient villages arranged along a stream called Yingjiaxi. On a closer look, the village pattern has generally remained the same since the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Today, we will walk into the largest and most famous Shen’ao Village among the ancient villages in the south of the Yangtze River to see what the beauty of this “most beautiful ancient village in Zhejiang” is!

“The bluestone winding path is far from the gate, and the clear water is deep in the canals. The old things are still simple, and the ancient style has not been changed for thousands of years.” Shenao Ancient Village is located at the northern foot of Tianzigang on the south bank of the Fuchun River in Tonglu County, Zhejiang Province. It is hidden in the Qingshan Mountains of Western Zhejiang. An ancient village in the green water. Compared with other members of the Jiangnan ancient village group, Shen’ao Village is regarded as the largest ancient village in Tonglu, so it looks more like an ancient town. The ancient village is a typical clan settlement due to the gathering of blood relatives, so most of the residents in the village have the same surname Shentu, of course, there are also a few residents of other surnames. As early as the beginning of the Southern Song Dynasty, the ancestors of the Shentu family moved in from the Shentu Mountain in Fuyang. After nearly a thousand years of multiplication and cultivation, the Shentu family of Shen’ao Village, which is now prosperous, came into being. We know that the most distinctive feature of Hongcun in Anhui is its scientific and reasonable “bull-shaped village-style” water system structure design. In this regard, Shen’ao Village and Hongcun have the same merits. It is said that in Jiangsu and Zhejiang where floods are frequent, the ancient town of Shen’ao has never been damaged by floods, all thanks to the most unique water system design in the village. The water system consists of culverts, open ditches, karez, ponds, streams, etc. It is somewhat similar to the planned water use system of modern cities and towns, and is mainly used to collect rainwater and discharge waste water. At that time, when the ancestors of the Shentu family planned the construction of the village, it was the first plan. To this day, this underground water system, which originated in the Song and formed in the Ming Dynasty, still provides convenience for the daily life of the villagers. Because the locals are used to calling the underdrain “Ao”, and Australia is usually buried deep underground, the ancient village of Shen’ao is also named for it. Shen’ao Ancient Village, founded in the Southern Song Dynasty, is the most famous Jiangnan Ancient Village in Tonglu and a famous historical and cultural village in China. It has the reputation of “the first well in the south of the Yangtze River and the first village in the Southern Song Dynasty”. It is not far from Tonglu County, surrounded by green mountains and beautiful scenery. In addition to the unique mountains and waters in the world, the unique underground water system of the ancient village, the huge group of ancient buildings, and the rich Zong’s culture are all attractions not to be missed. At present, there are more than 200 ancient buildings in the village before the Republic of China. They are exquisitely carved on the outside and exquisitely carved. Among them, more than 40 halls and houses were built in the Ming and Qing dynasties and are well-preserved, which is really rare. Mottled vicissitudes of old walls, ancient alleys paved with cobblestones, plus the patchwork of horse head walls, as well as the karez wells all over the village…make Shen’ao Village look so unique, so old and elegant. Heavy. In the ancient village of Shen’ao, there is no such crowding as Wuzhen and Xitang, but the tranquility and innocence of the local village. You can walk in the rainy ancient alleys and old streets, recalling the glimpses of time, or you can enjoy the light clouds and breeze alone in the warm afternoon sun. Of course, you can also go to the ancestral ancestral hall to learn about the time that has long been solidified into a painting, and you can also go to “Yunxi Shenaoli” to feel the ubiquitous petty bourgeoisie…