The Liu Family Old House in Huitouling Village, Chongyang, Hubei

The Liu family of Huitouling originated from the Fengjiashan Liu family. In the Yihai year of the Jiaqing era (1815), four brothers known as the "Meritorious Brothers" chose this treasured land to expand their family legacy, establishing the ancestral Liu Family House beside an ancient official road that had existed for millennia. Spanning over 200 years and three centuries, it stands unparalleled in Chongyang's modern history. The old house is nestled against green mountains and faces picturesque waters, featuring a Ming-style southern architectural complex with five interconnected triple courtyards. Its blue bricks and dark tiles, soaring eaves and ornate walls, along with an exquisitely carved stone gate adorned with techniques like openwork and relief carvings, bring to life floral patterns, birds, insects, and animals—especially the lifelike stone lion door guardians, which remain awe-inspiring despite some wear. The weathered gate traces, bluestone steps, and central courtyard still retain the noble elegance of its heyday. A historical architectural landmark of Chongyang County.