Shitouqiu Ancient Village in Chengangling, Zixing, Hunan

Chengangling Village was listed as the fourth batch of Chinese Traditional Villages in 2016, primarily consisting of three natural villages: Shitouqiu Ancient Village, Sanyuan Ancient Village, and Huangchangling Ancient Village. Among them, Shitouqiu Ancient Village was initially built in the mid-Qing Dynasty, with a history of approximately 400 years. Its founding ancestor was Yuan Zhenling, the 31st-generation descendant of Yuan Xianzhang, the progenitor of Muguatang. According to the "Yuan Clan Genealogy," during the village's foundation excavation, a massive bluestone was discovered at the site of the ancestral shrine. Delighted, they regarded it as a natural cornerstone, hence naming the village Shitouqiu (Stone Mound). The village is built along the river, featuring a typical Suzhou-style water town architectural style—facing south with a pond in front and a river behind, extending horizontally to the right. The layout includes two vertical rows, one horizontal row, and a central hall. The houses are constructed with blue bricks and black tiles, adorned with exquisite relief carvings, wood carvings, and murals. The people of Shitouqiu have always been exceptionally intelligent and skilled in economic pursuits. Initially, besides growing grains and vegetables, they also cultivated cash crops like tobacco and tea, gradually becoming prosperous. They then turned their attention to commerce, learning to trade in gold, silver, and jade. By the fourth generation of the village's founding ancestor, over 80% of the villagers were engaged in the jade business, and the village flourished. The villagers have consistently inherited their ancestors' traditions, achieving academic success and wealth. Many have ventured into entrepreneurship, business, and mining, with numerous individuals amassing assets worth tens of millions. A couplet was composed for Shitouqiu: "Turning stone into gold, every household prospers; looking up, generations thrive in abundance."