Haoli Ancient Village in Chenzhou, Hunan

Haoli Ancient Village boasts a long history, originally known as "Kuzhu Village" due to its location between mountain ranges resembling a trench. It was renamed in the late Republic of China era and has retained its current name since. Established during the Tianli period of the Yuan Dynasty, the village has a history of nearly 700 years. It preserves numerous ancient residential buildings from the Qing Dynasty, featuring unique architectural styles typical of southern Hunan. Covering approximately 7.5 square kilometers, Haoli Village comprises 10 residential groups with around 1,500 inhabitants, primarily from the Zhou, Guo, and Luo clans. The Zhou family descends from Zhou Dunyi, founder of Song Dynasty Neo-Confucianism; the Guo lineage traces back to Guo Ziyi, a renowned Tang Dynasty general; while the Luo clan was an influential family during the Qing era. The village's architectural complex is celebrated for its grandeur and exquisite carvings, epitomized by structures like the Luo Family Nine-Hall Mansion—a masterpiece showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and intricate artistry. The village features diverse architectural elements including ancestral halls, academies, residences, ancient wells, Taoist temples, flagstone poles, post roads, and pavilions, forming a well-organized layout. It is recognized as one of China's Fifth Batch of Traditional Villages.