Zhongxian Residence of the Liu Family in Qinshui, Shanxi

The Zhongxian Residence is a treasure among the Liu family dwellings and a classic example of Qing Dynasty architecture, featuring exquisite stone carving art. It was once the mansion of Liu Chunfang, styled Zitong, a jinshi scholar from Qinshui who passed the imperial examination in the Gengwu year of the Jiaqing reign (1810) and was honored with the title "Zhongxian Dafu." Later, the Zhongxian Residence was cleverly transformed into a study, earning the name "Gengdu Shuxiang," symbolizing the Liu family's tradition of cultivating both farming and scholarship. The carvings on the gate tell the story "A day in the cave is a thousand years in the world," meaning "Life is destined, and the world is unpredictable," teaching descendants to cherish time. Behind the main gate is a well-preserved stone stele inscribed with the "Four Words" by the famous Ming Dynasty calligrapher Fang Yuanhuan from Liangjiang, which continues to hold great educational significance for future generations in family values and legacy.