Just 1 kilometer west of the Zhuge Bagua Village lies Changle Blessing Land. This village, with a history of over 600 years and being the cradle of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang’s turnaround victory and the founding of the Ming Dynasty, boasts 127 well-preserved Yuan, Ming, and Qing residential buildings. Walking through the ancient town, one is greeted by blue bricks and black tiles, mottled walls and courtyards, and deep, narrow alleys leading to the heart of the ancient village. Here, one can leisurely experience the unique simplicity and tranquility that comes from historical sedimentation.
Among the many ancient buildings in Changle Blessing Land, the Jin Da Zong Ancestral Hall, Xiang Xian Hall, and the upstairs hall are particularly distinctive. They were built in memory of Jin Lixiang. The Jin Da Zong Ancestral Hall, constructed in the 33rd year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, is the ancestral hall of the Jin family in Changle Village. It holds a high status and is meticulously constructed, with an overall layout in the shape of a square. The Wang Yun Tower, built during the Zhizheng era of the Yuan Dynasty, is a typical Yuan Dynasty upstairs hall building, known as the ‘Golden House of the South of the Yangtze’. Additionally, the archways and screens are highlights of the Changle ancient architecture complex. These include the Jinshi Archway from the Chenghua era of the Ming Dynasty, the Jie Xiao Stone Archway built in the eighth year of the Yongzheng era (1730), and the Qing Dynasty screens. They are arranged in front of the Xiang Xian Street and the ‘sun-shaped’ pond, exuding an ancient charm.Changle Blessing Land has a superior geographical environment and is rich in historical and cultural landscapes and features. For example, “doors facing north, halls above, ponds shaped like the sun and moon, and wells arranged like the Big Dipper”, which reflect the historical culture of the time and are a window into the residential architecture of the Yuan, Ming, and Qing periods. According to village elders, the name “Changle” originates from Zhu Yuanzhang. Its original name was Shangkeng Village. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang attacked the central Zhejiang region and passed through Shangkeng Village with his troops, stationing there for more than a month. Seeing the simple folk customs, the diligence of the people in farming, and their happy lives, he sincerely exclaimed, “This is truly a village of constant joy!” Since then, the name “Changle” has been passed down through the generations.
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