In Xianju’s Tianshi Town, there lies a village named Li Village. The name is straightforward, originating from the majority of residents bearing the surname Li and being the birthplace of the Ming Dynasty’s Inspector Li, hence the name Li Village. The ancient architecture preserved within the village belongs to the brick and wood structures from the Ming and Qing dynasties, representing the quintessential rural architecture of Xianju County, characterized by the three-through and nine-door hall style.
The eaves, beams, and columns of the residential buildings feature exquisite wood carvings, depicting figures and animals with lifelike precision. The courtyards are adorned with stone inlays and various patterns, while windows showcase both stone and wood carvings. The walls are decorated with colorful paintings, and the stone-carved door frames display reliefs such as the double lions playing with a ball. Despite the well-preserved layout of the village’s architecture, most of the animal and human head carvings in wood and stone were damaged during the Cultural Revolution. The village is open all year round, accessible 24 hours a day.
