#hakkapeople

The area of Nantou in Shenzhen is known for ancient settlement. As one of the 24 defense outposts set up for maritime defense during the Ming and Qing dynasties, Nantou Ancient Town has a decorated past that is very much present today. The artefacts excavated in Nantou suggests the existence of settlement as far back as the Three Kingdoms period, some 1800 years ago. The city that has continued to this day was built in the 27th year of the Hongwu reign (1394) in Ming dynasty. The Nantou Ancient City was part of the efforts by China’s imperial government to ramp up maritime defense in Shenzhen during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Nantou served as one of the 24 defense outposts along the mountain ridges of Lingnan (southern China), and the Dapeng Fortress was another one of the 24. Of these defense outposts, only Nantou and Dapeng have survived the passage of time. During the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty, Nantou was the seat of administration of the Xinan County. There is significance in this fact because Hong Kong itself was considered part of Xinan County during much of the imperial times. Therefore Hong Kong is featured in quite a number of historical exhibits in Nantou. During the early Qing dynasty, many Hakka people settled down in this part of Shenzhen. Due to its coastal location, Nantou’s people engaged in all sorts of maritime trade, including fishing, oyster harvesting and salt drying. When Canton became the only trading port with foreigners in China during the Qing dynasty, Nantou experienced a flourishing development of trade, owing to the rise of the Thirteen Factories in Guangzhou. The South Gate (Old Gate) of Nantou was built during the early Ming dynasty and it did undergo restoration during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Lying at its foundation are granite slabs. There are brick layers covering the granite base. A brick structure on the second story served as the watchtower. Lying next to the wall is a ruins. #nantouancienttown #nantou #shenzhen #china #guangdong #ancienttown #historicallandmarks #chinesehistory #mingdynast #qingdynasty #hakkapeople #历史古迹 #militaryhistory #southgate

The Hehu Xinju is in so many ways representative of Hakka culture in both Shenzhen and in China. In this tour of the enormous Hakka residential complex, I learned about the significance of the Luo family, who established its prominence in Shenzhen since the Qianlong era of the Qing dynasty. The walled village is a feature for Hakka architecture. It serves, first and foremost, defensive purposes. It also prescribes an approximate square or rectangular layout for the village’s residential life. Meaning “crane lake villa,” Hehu Xinju is of the Luo clan of Hakka people. The walled village consists of two wall enclosures. There lie three main courts in the main axis separated by courtyards, and two rows of houses on the side. The ancestral hall lies at the very center of the whole village. Hehu Xinju spans a large area of 25,000 square meters. There are more than 300 chambers in the village. Construction for Hehu Xinju began during the Qianlong reign of the Qing dynasty (1736-1795), and it was completed during the 22nd year of the Jiaqing reign (1817), apparently the joint effort of three generations for five decades. Some sites to visit in Hehu Xinju The half-moon lake in front of the main gate. The Daifu Residence Plaque The Former Residence of Luo Qiuhang The Yiyan School The sea mirror window The backyard #shenzhen #hehuhakkavillage #hakkaculture #guangdong #southchina #historicalsites #historicalgem #chinesehistory #hakkapeople #walledvillage #cranelakevilla #historicallandmarks#历史古迹

Got to experience the Hakka culture by staying at an authentic tulou! Food was cooked right out of their kitchen on the ground floor and our stay was on level 3, up some narrow stairs. You get a basic room but definitely a must-try! #culturalexperience #hakkapeople