Jingxi Shuiyu Village

A 'S'-shaped stone path stretches through the mountain village. Along the road, more than 100 sets, totaling over 520 rooms of century-old Siheyuan residential buildings, are built against the mountain in a scattered and orderly fashion; the simple courtyard walls are all made of stone blocks, and the mottled carved beams and painted rafters inside the houses tell of a long and storied history. Stepping into Shuiyu Village in the deep mountains of Fangshan feels like suddenly arriving in the legendary paradise. Shuiyu Village was formed in the early Ming Dynasty. The long historical evolution has left not only ancient residences in the village but also 128 stone mills that have set a Guinness World Record, as well as the unique Zhongfan performance. The ancient houses, ancient mills, and ancient Zhongfan are known as the 'Three Wonders' of Shuiyu Village, and this year, more than 6,000 tourists from various places have come specifically for these 'Three Ancients'. The most representative ancient residence in Shuiyu Village is the Yang Family Courtyard. The Yang Family Courtyard, also known as Xuefang Courtyard, was built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, with the main construction based on the Northern style, made of stone, with four entrances and exits; the Panlong (coiled dragon) gate ridge, surrounded by stone-carved flowers under the eaves. To this day, several elderly people over the age of seventy still live in the courtyard, and whenever tourists come to visit, they enthusiastically tell several compelling stories about the old house.