A combination of Chinese and Western styles vividly embodied by the old houses of overseas Chinese in Wenchang, Hainan

Wenchang, Hainan, a well-known hometown of overseas Chinese in China, retains many old houses full of Chinese and Western charm to this day. At the turn of the 20th century, many people in Wenchang travelled all the way across the ocean to make a living overseas. After developing a successful career there, they returned and built houses to honor their ancestors.

 These houses built by overseas Chinese integrate the coastal style and characteristics of traditional Chinese architectural culture. Among them, Fu’s Residence, known as the “grand pine house”, is a vivid embodiment of Chinese traditional crafts such as wood carving, stone carving, plaster sculpture, relief, and intaglio carving. Han's House, on the other hand, is crowned as the “museum of architectural murals in Hainan residential houses”. The colorful murals there are well preserved to this day, beautifully describing the prosperity of the Han family and the exotic customs of the coastal area. These old houses that have stood through hundreds of years of vicissitudes are full of nostalgia of men travelling away from home.

 At present, Wenchang is trying its best to protect these overseas Chinese residences. They are historical witnesses of the bravery of Hainan people. (end)

Han’s Residence，in Baishi Village, Puqian Town, of which the gatepost couplets were given by the well-known calligrapher Yu Youren. Photo by Ling Nan

Exquisite wall paintings of the hundren-year-old house in Wenchang display the concept of the Chinese people that "Harmony at home brings prosperity." Photo by Ling Nan

Fu’s Residence in Wenchang. Photo by Luo Yunfei

Han's House in Wenchang still vaguely present its past spectacularity. Photo by Luo Yunfei

The eave of the old house is exquisite in shape, implying the good wish for peace, joy and harvest. Photo by Ling Nan

Wenchang Shuangguidi has a large scale with exquisite brick carvings. Photo by Luo Yunfei

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