Folk Dwelling and Culture in Ming & Qing Dynastyin Ding Village

With regard to the residential structures in Ding Village, there are now about 40 courtyard buildings relatively well preserved. According to the records, six of them are of Ming Dynasty (in the year of Wanli) structures, three of Qing Dynasty (in the year of Yongzheng) two of Qing Dynasity (in the year of Jiangqing), two of Qing Dynasty (in the year of Daoguang), three of Qing Dynasty (in the year of Xianfeng), one of Qing Dynasty (in the year of Xuantong) and ten with Qing style but without years recorded. Mainly the structures are quadangles. For the Ming structures, the quadrangles are single ones. But the Qing structures were gradually changing into twin units with double entrances. Though this makes people feel as “the Ming structures are not as high as the Qing’s but wider and more spacious”, both however have similar style and the same basic structures. The Ming single-quadrangle usually composes of fore parts: a principal hall, opposite hall, side halls, and a principal gate situated to south-east. The Qing twin-quadrangles compose of a sculptured screen-wall, an upside down style structure, front yard, central hall, back entrance is located at the end of the center axis line. By the late Qing, some structures were event built with grand gate of two stories. All these structures were constructed by the Ding family generations in hundred years. For reasons of convenience and communication among individual families, some quadrangles are connected with passage lanes and transcending corridors. This had formed some compound quadrangle structures with unique character.

【CONTENTS】

Civilian Structures of the Dynasties of Ming & Qing
Artistic Woodworks in Ding Village’s Civilian Structures
Stone and Brick Works in the Residential Structures of Ming & Qing
Decoration Arts on Gates of the Residential Structures in Ming & Qing
Remains of the Ancient Ding Village