Former Site of Ouchi Village 🏞️

📍 Address: 460 meters north of the intersection of Zhuhai Road and Hengsan Road
🕰️ Period: Ming to Qing Dynasties through the Republic of China Era

Historical Development

The former site of Ouchi Village is located in Qixiu District, Nanning City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and stands as one of the better-preserved traditional village sites in the southeastern corner of ancient Nanning. According to the Annals of Nanning Prefecture, the village was originally established during the Ming Dynasty, named after the abundance of lotus roots growing in the pond in front of the village. During the Qing Dynasty, it served as a key stopover along a major trade route for merchants from Lingnan. In the Republican era, it housed the "Ouchi Township Office," functioning as an important hub for local administration and community interaction. After the 1950s, with urban expansion, the original village gradually became engulfed by modern city development, leaving only scattered remnants.

Architectural Features and Cultural Relics

The surviving site features foundations of blue brick walls, stone-paved alleyways, and partial gatehouses, arranged in a “checkerboard” layout that reflects the spatial wisdom of traditional Lingnan settlements. Architectural elements include carved window lattices, glazed roof ridges, and ceramic roof tiles—typical craftsmanship of the region. The most representative structure is the partially preserved "Dehe Hall" gatehouse on the eastern side, whose plaque bearing the inscription “Virtue Moistens the Heart” remains legible, illustrating the local emphasis on scholarship and ritual propriety. Artifacts unearthed at the site include Qing Dynasty copper coins, fragments of ceramic bowls, and wooden carvings, now housed in the Nanning Museum.

Cultural Significance

The former site of Ouchi Village serves as vital physical evidence for studying the urban-rural transformation of Nanning in modern and contemporary times, clan social structures, and traditional Lingnan residential architecture. Its spatial layout and folk memory bear enduring traces of cultural fusion between Cantonese and Zhuang communities, holding significant historical, artistic, and sociological value.

Visitor Information

• Opening Hours: Open 24 hours (free admission)
• Transportation Tips: Take Metro Line 1 to "Lantong Station," then walk about 12 minutes; alternatively, take Bus Line 307 to the "Hengsan Road" stop
• Visitor Guidelines: The site is surrounded by residential areas—please remain quiet, avoid climbing ruins, and respect all heritage protection regulations

🌿 A quiet ancient landmark within the city, whispering stories of centuries past and the passage of time.