Attraction in Wanrong demonstrates family’s merit
Shanxi is known in China for its many ancient residential buildings, with sites like the Qiao Family Courtyard in Qixian county and the Wang Family Courtyard in Lingshi county being household names among tourists.
But if tourists want to find something different in style, they can pay a visit to the Li Family Courtyard in Wanrong county.
The unique selling points of the site include buildings combining both ancient Chinese and Western architectural styles and the stories of a family of merit.
The Li Family Courtyard was first built some 200 years ago in the middle Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), with 11 courtyards and 146 rooms kept intact today.
Standing among buildings in Chiand nese style, a Gothic-styled house called Yijing is the most remarkable. It was built by Li Daohang in 1914.
Born to a family of merchants, Li Daohang chose another path for his career development. He went to the United Kingdom in 1907 to study textile technology at a university there. During his stay, he married a British woman. Li returned to his hometown in 1914 and built Yijing for his wife.
Yijing features an arched gate, a number of Western-style sculptures a spacious interior making the best of the natural light.
A couplet hanging on both sides of the gate, reading “love can bring people together despite their distance, and knowledge from both the East and West can help build a better world”, shows the values of the residents a century ago.
Over the centuries, the family has also stuck to such values as giving back to the community and helping others, said Wang Dou, a tour guide.
“During a big famine in the late 19th century, the family opened disaster-relief stations in 13 counties in Shanxi, offering people food and medicines,” Wang said. “The family sponsored a number of local schools and the Wanrong No 1 Middle School they established is still the leading school in the county today.”