Shen'ao Ancient Village in Tonglu, Zhejiang

Shen'ao, or Ao Shen, is the largest natural village in Tonglu County. With a population of over 4,000, it boasts more than 50 surnames. The ShenTu clan, descendants of the Western Han Dynasty prime minister ShenTu Jia, migrated to Shen'ao during the Song Dynasty and now account for over 80% of the village's population, making it the largest ShenTu settlement in China. Covering an area of approximately 5.2 square kilometers, Shen'ao Ancient Village features a unique, thousand-year-old water system composed of streams, pools, ditches, ponds, and wells. The village houses over 100 ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, covering an area of about 40,000 square meters. These structures retain the architectural characteristics and lifestyle customs of that era, with the majority belonging to the Hui architectural style, one of the four major architectural styles in China. These ancient buildings can be categorized as ancestral halls, temples and monasteries, opera stages, bridges, and residential houses. Most of the ancient houses in Shen'ao are courtyard houses, providing both tranquility and privacy. Each house is typically built along a central axis, or along the outer wall if limited by the terrain, a style known locally as "hugging houses." Most courtyards have a single central open space, with the largest having up to seven. Regardless of the number of courtyards, houses in Shen'ao have double main gates, forming a gate hall. Typically, the gate hall is smaller than the hall inside, symbolizing good fortune. Entering the main gate leads to the reception hall, and further inside is the main hall, used for receiving guests and ancestor worship. Above the back wall of the main hall is a plaque, and in front of the wall is a long table flanked by armchairs, with an ornate round table in front. This arrangement exudes order and grandeur. Notably, the interior is adorned with exquisite wood carvings, combining traditional Chinese architectural patterns with masterful craftsmanship. Shen'ao was also an ancient commercial hub. It is recognized as a Famous Historical and Cultural Village of China, one of the first Traditional Villages of China, and its ancient architectural complex is a key protected cultural relic site in Zhejiang Province.