These three ancient villages in Guangchang are worth a visit

Longxi Village, Luojia Village, and Yiqian Guanqiao Village in Ganzhu Town, Guangchang County, are ancient villages recently included in the list of traditional Chinese villages. They are only a 30-40 minute drive from the county town. Longxi Village Wenfeng Academy An administrative village in Ganzhu Town, northern Guangchang, is famous for discovering the only complete dinosaur fossil south of the Yangtze River. In 2004, another dinosaur fossil was discovered about 600 meters from the 1986 fossil site, attracting great attention from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The village also has the Yuan Dynasty stone arch Yue Long Bridge, the Ming Dynasty Wenfeng Academy, Wenfeng Dam, and the Qing Dynasty "Bangyan Residence," all of which are notable attractions. This was an important position in the 1934 Battle of Guangchang, with the former sites of the First and Third Red Army Corps headquarters, the Raojiabao Battle Site Group, and the Rao Fulin Martyrs Memorial Hall. Today, Longxi Village features well-preserved ancient buildings, high walls, deep courtyards, and interspersed blue bricks and black tiles. The clean and tidy walking paths are bustling with visitors. The village has received honors such as Provincial Red Village, Water Ecological Civilization Village, Forest Village, and Model Party Organization for Rural Revitalization. Luojia Village Ganzhu Town Market Located in Guangchang County, with the Xijiang River in front and Shuanglian Pass behind, it was established during the Southern Song Dynasty and has a history of over 700 years. The village produced 13 successful candidates in the imperial examinations during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Initially known as Lumaoke, it was renamed "Luojia Bao Ke" after the Luo family settled there. During the Kangxi and Qianlong periods, the village produced six generations of successful candidates in the imperial examinations, earning it the reputation of a family of scholars. Built in the tenth year of the Tongzhi reign (1871) by Luo Yushan, the magistrate of Qingyuan County, Guangdong, the Shike Residence faces south, with fireproof walls and covers an area of 600 square meters. The stone plaque above the entrance is inscribed with "Shike Residence," symbolizing generations of success in the imperial examinations. The plaque is surrounded by carved scenes of stories. The eaves on both sides of the main entrance feature brick carvings of figures, flowers, and geometric patterns, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. The Shike Residence also served as the headquarters of the Red Ninth Army Corps. In March and April 1934, the headquarters of the Ninth Army Corps of the First Red Army, led by Luo Binghui and Cai Shupan, was stationed here, commanding the Red Army in the fifth anti-encirclement campaign, preventing the attack of five divisions of the Kuomintang Hexi Column. Many Red Army slogans are still preserved. Guanqiao Village Gaohunao Red Army Martyrs Monument Located in the southern part of Guangchang County, originally named Gaohunao Village, it is the "rear dragon" mountain of Guanqiao, with an altitude of 406 meters. It is named Gaohunao because it resembles the head of a crouching tiger. It controls the main route from Guangchang to Shicheng and Ruijin. This is the northern gate of the Central Soviet Area and one of the main battlefields of the fifth anti-encirclement campaign. It has the Gaohunao Red Army Martyrs Monument, the Guanqiao Village History Museum, and the Red Gaohunao Exhibition Hall. The famous Gaohunao Battle took place in Guanqiao Village. In the fierce battle of 1934, all the villagers, young and old, joined the fight, helping the Red Army dig trenches, deliver food, and carry the wounded, making significant sacrifices. The Gaohunao Battle won precious time for the strategic transfer of the Central Red Army. Overall, Longxi Village has a stronger "ancient" flavor, while the other two villages have a stronger "red" flavor.